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The Crests were a popular New York R&B musical group of the late 1950s. Though often thought to be another all-black teenage-sound band, of the four men, two were black, one was Puerto Rican, and the other was Italian. They also had one black female.

The band was founded by JT Carter and included Talmoudge Gough, Harold Torres, and Patricia Vandross (older sister of the late Luther Vandross). JT found lead vocalist Johnny Mastrangelo (later just Johnny Maestro). The group had several Top 40 hits in the 1950s, including "16 Candles", "Step By Step" and "The Angels Listened In".

Johnny Maestro left for a solo career in 1960. He would later join The Del Satins, which would become Brooklyn Bridge. They had a Top 40 hit with "The Worst That Could Happen" in 1968. His place was taken by new lead James Ancrum. The group recorded a new single, "Little Miracles." It was the first single not to chart in the top 100. Gough quit the group after the single, and was replaced by Gary Lewis (not the same as Gary Lewis & the Playboys). The group failed to find success throughout the decade.

Van Dross and Torres would also be gone by the late 60s. The group continued as a trio of J.T. Carter, James Ancrum, and Gary Lewis. This lineup continued until 1978, when the group split. Carter went on to sing with Charlie Thomas' Drifters.

Carter then reformed the group in 1980. He auditioned over 200 singers, finally settling on lead Bill Damon, Greg Sereck, and Dennis Ray and new york drummer Jon Ihle. Carter continued the group well into the 1990s. He sold the trademarks to the Crests name to Tommy Mara in the late 90s. He now performs as part of the three person group Starz. Mara was lead vocalist at the time, and now continues the group without Carter.

Gary Lewis now singing with The Cadillacs.

Their most popular song was "Sixteen Candles" which rose to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958.

The 1984 John Hughes teen movie, Sixteen Candles, took its title from The Crests' song, which was re-recorded by The Stray Cats for the Sixteen Candles soundtrack.

Awards and recognition

The Crests were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.

References

1. EAST COAST GROUPS 3 (PAGE 5)
2. Great Day In Harlem Page-1

External links

• Tommy Mara's Crests
• 'The Crests' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page
• The Angels Listened In Machinima Video

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