The Vogues

The Vogues are an American pop/rock and roll group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The original lineup consisted of Bill Burkette (September 17, 1942 – March 1, 2018, lead baritone), Don Miller (1940 – January 11, 2021, baritone), Hugh Geyer (born May 1941, first tenor), and Chuck Blasko (born 1943, second tenor).They are best known for their chart-topping singles "You're the One", "Five O'Clock World", "Magic Town", "My Special Angel" and "Turn Around, Look at Me". In addition to touring the world, the group appeared on American Bandstand, The Tonight Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.The group, originally named the Val-Airs, formed in 1958 at Turtle Creek High School, with members including Bill Burkette, Hugh Geyer, Don Miller, and Chuck Blasko. In 1961, Geyer and Miller enlisted in the Military, and after discharging in 1964, reformed The Val-Airs with Blasko and Burkette.They signed with Pittsburgh manager Elmer Willet, who produced their first recording release "Which One Will It Be/Launie My Love". DJ Porky Chedwick became a supporter booking the group for his rock and roll shows and record hops. Chedwick put them on bills with the Drifters, the Platters, and the Dells. Clark Race of KDKA radio promoted the group on his KDKA-TV dance show. Having strong regional sales, the single was picked up for national distribution by Coral Records.Each member paid $100 towards the fee to record a demo tape. They hired Nick Cenci, who had helped bring Lou Christie mainstream success, to produce the recording. In 1965, Cenci produced recording sessions for the Val-Aires at Gateway Studios in Pittsburgh, including vocals for a cover of the Petula Clark song "You're the One", which was released on the band's own Blue Star label. Cenci then persuaded John Rook, program director of KQV, to play the single. With local airplay and sales Cenci signed them to the Co & Ce label as the "Vogues" and secured national distribution. The song soon became a national hit reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.