The Trade Winds

:"The Tradewinds" redirects here. For the group formerly called The Tradewinds, see Styx."The Trade Winds was an American pop group formed in Providence, Rhode Island. The group's members were Peter Andreoli (aka Peter Anders) and Vincent Poncia, Jr., and had previously had a hit single together (with a third member, Norman Marzano) under the name The Videls with a song called "Mr. Lonely", which hit #73 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1960. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:jjfwxqwgldde~T1 The Videls] at Allmusic.com]

After a few further single releases, The Videls folded, and Anders and Poncia began writing tunes with Phil Spector for groups such as The Ronettes and The Crystals. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:aifrxqe5ldae The Innocence] at Allmusic.com] Recording under the name The Trade Winds in 1965, they released several singles and scored two more U.S. hits, "New York's a Lonely Town" (#32, 1965) and "Mind Excursion" (#51, 1966). [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dbftxqwgldae~T5 Trade Winds Billboard Singles] , Allmusic.com] In 1966 they changed their name to The Innocence, recorded a full-length eponymous album, and had two further hit singles, "There's Got to Be a Word!" (U.S. #34, 1966) [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:aifrxqe5ldae~T5 The Innocence Billboard Singles] , Allmusic.com] and "Mairzy Doats" (U.S. #75, 1967). [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:39fqxqr5ld0e Anders & Poncia] at Allmusic.com] Following the LP release the duo released another album under the name Anders & Poncia on Warner Bros. Records in 1969, and shortly after broke up. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dbftxqwgldae~T1 The Trade Winds] at Allmusic.com]

Poncia later went on to produce material for artists such as Ringo Starr, Melissa Manchester and Kiss.

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