The
Vogues
Formed
in 1960, The Vogues were a four man vocal group from Turtle Creek,
Pennsylvania, consisting of Bill Burkette (lead baritone), Don
Miller (baritone), Hugh Geyer (first tenor) and Chuck Blasko (second
tenor). Originally calling themselves 'The Val-Airs', they changed
their name when they were signed to the tiny Co & Ce label.
In 1965 they released a song called "You're The One",
that quickly rose to the number 4 position on Billboard's Hot
100. The group's second effort, 'Five O'Clock World' continued
the rock-folk sound and also reached number 4. This tune enjoyed
a revival of sorts, when it was used as the theme to 'The Drew
Carey Show' in the late 90's.
The group's
next attempts, 'Magic Town' and 'The Land Of Milk and Honey' were
not quite as successful, but still managed to edge into the top
40 in 1966.
For the next
few years, The Vogues clean cut, harmony group image was out of
step with the rock and roll scene and it wasn't until they signed
with Reprise Records in 1968 that they reached the charts again
with a 'middle of the road' ballad called 'Turn Around, Look At
Me'. Despite sharing radio air time with increasingly harder rock,
the song still managed to hit number 7 and sell over a million
copies.
Staying with
the lighter, more sophisticated style they loved best, The Vogues
kept the hits coming when they took a cover of a 1957 Bobby Helms
hit, 'My Special Angel', into the Top 10 in September 1968. As
they toured the club circut, the group had two more songs reach
the Top 40, 'Till' and 'No, Not Much'.
By the time
the 1970's dawned, the Vogues were out. Further singles failed
to get any attention. Various lineups continue to play the oldies
circut for years and the group is still touring in the new millenium.
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