The Jersey Girls were among an amazing group of unknown mid-50s
New Jersey singers and musicians that included Concetta Franconero, the Four Lovers, and Lugee Sacco, who became world-famous rock ‘n’ roll hit makers Connie Francis, the Four Seasons and Lou Christie.
In the mid-60's, The Jersey Girls performed lucrative back-up session duty for some of the giants of pop music: Connie Francis, Frankie Valli, Kitty Kallen, Al Martino and most notably their collaboration with Lou Christie on his MGM hits, Trapeze, Rhapsody in the Rain and his #1 classic, Lightning Strikes.
Denise Ferri
Denise was a member of a 1950's - 60's girl group the Delicates, who had a 1959 east coast hit Black and White Thunderbird and were signed to United Artists, under the direction of Don Costa.
The trio soon became DJ 'Murray the K's' dancing girls and they wrote and recorded his famous Submarine Race Watchers theme which aired on Murray's nitely radio show for a decade on 1010-WINS.
In 1962, Denise toured with Clay Cole's Twist-a-rama revue.
Bernadette Carroll
In 1959, Bernadette became a member of the popular girl group the Starlets, and also enjoyed a solo career on Laurie Records with her national hit
Party Girl, produced and directed by Ernie Maresca.
In 1968, Bernadette also performed and toured as lead singer of the Angels; she was also the 3rd part harmony on their Smash recordings, including My Boyfriend's Back.
Bernadette later toured as a member of the popular 60s folk ensemble, the Serendipity Singers (Don't Let the Rain Come Down).
Linda Jansen
In the summer of 1961, Linda joined two sisters to form a trio that became The Angels, signed to Caprice Records. Linda's lead vocals can be heard on the Angels first two hits, Til and Cry Baby Cry and a follow-up album
"And the Angels Sing."
Linda left the group to sing with the Sal Russo band. She eventually married Russo in 1965, and they have been performing together ever since. Linda and Sal have been married 43 years and have twin sons, also musicians and entertainers.
Denise Ferri - Black and White Thunderbird
Bernadette Carroll - Party Girl - 1964
In Linden, New Jersey in 1959, while attending Seoul Jr. High, Bernadette auditioned for Tom DeCillis, who was putting together a girl group with sisters Barbara and Jiggs Allbut and Lynda Malzone called The Starlets. Their first recording, on the Astro label, was P.S.-I Love You.
After The Starlets disbanded, Bernadette made her first solo recording for Tom Decillis' Julia label, My Heart Stood Still. with Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi of the Four Seasons. Their master of the song Nicky, written by Massi and Bob Gaudio, was Bernadette's first hit single, produced and co-written by Ernie Maresca.
In 1968, Bernadette became the lead singer of The Angelsand recorded four sides for RCA Records, including The Boy with the Green Eyes, which was written by Neil Diamond.
In the 60's, Bernadette teamed up with Denise Ferri and Peggy Santiglia to sing back-up for many major recording stars, Kitty Kallen, Connie Francis, Patty Duke, Bobby Hebb and Frankie Valli on his hits The Proud One, You're Ready Now and Cry For Me (which is featured in the hit musical Jersey Boys). Most notably the trio provided backing for Lou Christie's MGM recordings, including his
#1 smash hit Lightning Strikes and the follow-up, Rhapsody In The Rain.
Denise Ferri and The Delicates were unique in that they penned most of the songs they recorded, although the trio also recorded songs written by Jeff Barry and Doc Pomus. One special song written and recorded by the girls was Black and White Thunderbird for the Unart label. It was released in June 1959, and became a significant hit in the New York metropolitan area.
The song is much loved by girl group aficionados even today. After some 48 years, Black and White Thunderbird was chosen by Disney/Pixar for inclusion on a CD entitled Lightning McQueen's Fast Tracks, which was inspired by the movie Cars. That CD made the Top 10 on Billboard's Kids' Audio Charts. The song was also chosen by the same Disney producer, Fred Mollin, to become part of a second CD, Buddy Songs.
The Delicates were formed in Belleville, New Jersey in 1959 with three classmates of Belleville Elementary School #8, -- Arleen Lanzotti, Peggy Santiglia and Denise.
The three wrote and recorded the Submarine Race Watcher's Theme which opened and closed Murray the K's radio show for a decade. The Delicates became the legendary DJ's dancing girls and were regulars on his radio show on 1010 WINS, New York, then toured with Clay Cole's Twistarama revue with the Capris in 1963
This page was last updated: January 29, 2009
Linda Jansen, The Angels - Till (1961) Charted at #14 on Billboard Hot 100 in October 1961. Linda's lead vocals can be heard on the Angels first two hits,Til and Cry Baby Cry and a follow-up album
"And the Angels Sing." Linda left the group to sing with the Sal Russo band. She eventually married Russo in 1965, and they have been performing together ever since. Linda and Sal have been married 43 years and have twin sons, also musicians and entertainers.
Linda Jansen with the Arngels - 'Til 1961
