The Three Chuckles

The Three Chuckles was an early American rock & roll group from Brooklyn.

Although designated rock & roll by contemporary observers, the sound of The Three Chuckles is closer to vocal pop, in hindsight. [http://wm10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0jfixqwgldje~T1 The Three Chuckles] at Allmusic] They formed around 1950, naming themselves after a popular candy bar of the day, and played East Coast establishments. Original accordionist/keyboardist Bill Bentl left the group in the mid-1950s and was replaced with Teddy Randazzo, then a teenager. In 1954, they recorded a song called "Runaround", written by a truck driver named Chino Colacrais, and released it on Boulevard Records as the B-side to "At Last You Understand". The single was picked up for national distribution by RCA Victor, and "Runaround" became a hit, peaking at #20 on the U.S. national charts.

With their newfound fame, Randazzo became the lead singer and songwriter. They scored two further hits on the new Billboard charts: "Times Two, I Love You" (#67, 1955) and "And the Angels Sing" (#70, 1956). [ [http://wm10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0jfixqwgldje~T5 Billboard Singles] , Allmusic.com] In 1956 Alan Freed offered them a spot in his movie "Rock, Rock, Rock"; following this Randazzo left the group for a solo career. Jackie Farrell joined after Randazzo left, but the group did not return to record, and broke up by 1958.

Tommy Romano continued in the music industry, performing into the 1970s. In 1997, Collectables Records issued a collection of Three Chuckles songs on CD.

Members

*Tommy Romano - vocals, guitar
*Tommy "Russ" Gilberto - vocals, bass
*Bill Bentl - accordion
*Teddy Randazzo - accordion, vocals
*Jackie Farrell - accordion

References