Vito & the Salutations
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1961 in New York City, United States |
| Defunct | 1967 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music recordings |
Vito & the Salutations was a doo-wop ensemble from 1960s New York City, comprising members of Italian, Irish, and Jewish-American descent. Their vocal journey began in high school, where they perfected four-part harmonies by performing in subway stations and train terminals. Their entry into the recording industry was facilitated by a band member's connection to a local record label, which led to their initial recordings. The group first gained regional attention with the track "Gloria."
Their most prominent achievement came in 1963 with the million-selling rendition of "Unchained Melody," originally a 1955 ballad by Al Hibbler, which they reimagined as an energetic doo-wop number. This version climbed to number 66 on the Cash Box chart and reached the top ten in multiple cities, including peaking at #3 on New York’s WABC. Initially released through Herald Records (H-583), the group's lineup shifted from the original members Barry Solomon, Bob DiPaolo, Bobby Mitchel, and Vito Balsamo to a later formation managed by Dave Rick, featuring Frankie Fox, Sheldon Buchansky, Raymond JP Russell, and lead vocalist Vito Balsamo. Of Italian immigrant background, Balsamo infused operatic elements into his singing but embraced rock and roll early on, recording his first track at age fifteen. The flip side of "Unchained Melody" was "Hey, Hey, Baby," co-written by Murray Kanner, Frankie Fox, and Dave Rick. The group showcased "Unchained Melody" on the television program American Bandstand.
Active between 1961 and 1967, the band briefly reunited in 1971 at Hunter College with original members Frankie Fox and Sheldon Buchansky joining lead singer Vito Balsamo. In the early ’90s, Balsamo spearheaded nostalgia tours under the name Vito Balsamo and the Cavaliers, featuring former members of J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers. From 1990 through 1999, he also recorded and toured as part of The Doo Wop All Stars alongside Eugene Pitt (Jive Five), Artie Loria (Belmonts/Earls), Randy Silver (Impalas), and Lenny Welch. Balsamo continues to perform occasionally in nostalgia acts such as The Golden Group Memories, which appeared on PBS during 1999-2000.
Other notable lead singers included bass baritone Frankie Fox and falsetto vocalists Ray Russell and Randy Silver; Russell later transitioned into production and songwriting with James Duffy at Britton Records. Lead vocals were also shared over time by Frank Hidalgo and Eddie Parducci. Numerous other members cycled through the group including Jack Mercury, Alan Messinger, Madie Seigal, Vinny Cognato, Johnny Monforte, and Randy Silverman. In 1967, Frank Hidalgo collaborated with Vito to record the single "Bring Back Yesterday" / "I Want You to Be My Baby" on Boom Records.
During the early 1970s, Sheldon Buchansky revived The Salutations with Vito Balsamo along with Eddie Parducci, Jimmy Spinelli, Frankie Graziano, and others. However, after a 1984 court decision favored another band using the name "Vito & the Salutations," Balsamo lost legal rights to it. By 1986 he performed under "Vito Balsamo and his Group," sometimes promoted as "Vito Balsamo, formerly of the Salutations."
Their unique interpretation of "Unchained Melody" has appeared in films like the 1990 feature Goodfellas and is regularly played at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Walt Disney World.