Yahoo LAUNCHCAST Song Of The Day-Norman Fox & The Rob-Roys

Artist:Norman Fox & The Rob-Roys

Song:Pizza Pie

Album:The Doo Wop Box

Yet another obscure classic from the 4CD Doo Wop Box. And it's a song about pizza. Mmmmm! Along with The Del-Vikings, Norman Fox & The Rob-Roys were one of the first interracial doo wop groups. Lead singer Norman Fox formed the group with schoolmates at DeWitt Clinton High School in Bronx, NY. They were Robert Therier (baritone), Marshall "Buzzy" Helfand (bass), Bob Trotman (first tenor), & Andre Lilly (second tenor). In 1957 Trotman met Peacock Records New York talent scout Don Carter at a record shop and told him about the group. They auditioned and were signed immediately. The group was originally called The Velvetones but were renamed The Rob-Roys after the popular cocktail. The group released three singles on Peacock's Backbeat label. The problem was that Peacock was more of a gospel & blues label and didn't really know how to sell Rock & Roll. The 1957 singles Tell Me Why & Dance Girl Dance got airplay in the Northeast US but never broke out. Frustrated with Peacock, the group took the song Pizza Pie to Capitol and recorded it in 1958 after Paul Schneller replaced Helfand. Pizza Pie was released in Jan. 1958 but was pulled when Peacock owner Don Robey produced a valid contract with the Rob-Roys. They agreed to record five more singles for Peacock to get out of their conntract but by that time, Capitol lost interest in the Rob-Roys and Pizza Pie was never rereleased. And the five sides for Peacock weren't released either. It's too bad because Pizza Pie is a pretty good song. It'll probably make you hungry. Their song Tell Me Why was a big hit for The Belmonts in 1961 but the group split up in 1963 though I'm sure you won't be surprised to know that Norman Fox & Robert Therier still tour the oldies circuit with a version of the group. Fox had a career as a garment manufacturer and Therier is a CPA. There's obviously no performance video footage of the group but here's a video of Pizza Pie by Norman Fox & The Rob-Roys. Mmmmmm!