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Harptones

The Harptones are an American doo-wop group, which formed in Manhattan in 1953.

The group never had a top forty pop hit, or a record on the US Billboard R&B chart, yet they are known for both their lead singer Willie Winfield and their pianist/arranger, Raoul Cita. The Harptones recorded for various labels, including Coed Records. The Harptones may have been the first doo-wop group to number a full-time arranger among their members, and Cita knew how to work to Winfield's strengths. Their best-known recordings include "A Sunday Kind of Love" (1953), "Why Should I Love You?" (1954), "Life is But a Dream" (1955), "The Shrine of St. Cecilia" (1956), and "What Will I Tell My Heart" (1961).

In 1956, they recorded some songs for the film Rockin' the Blues: "Mambo Boogie", "Ou Wee Baby", and "High Flying Baby". The song "Life is But a Dream" was featured in the 1990 film GoodFellas, and can be found on the film's soundtrack album.

Raoul J. Cita died on December 13, 2014, from liver and stomach cancer, at the age of 86. Also singer, Willie Winfield, died from a heart attack on July 27, 2021, aged 91.

Links to Peel

Peel played a track from the group in 1973, although it is not known whether he played any further material from the ensemble.

Shows Played

THE_HARPTONES_-_''MY_MEMORIES_OF_YOU''_(1955)

THE HARPTONES - ''MY MEMORIES OF YOU'' (1955)

1973

External Links

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