UGHA

Thanks to our President and founder, Ronnie "I", along with his staff and devoted members and supporters.

It was in the late summer of 1976 when I attended the R&B Society of Ct. for their 5th and last show, when the idea of UGHA formed in my mind. As I drove home with George Lavatelli, I kept talking about the shortcomings of the R&B Society and how an organization dedicated to group music could succeed in the NYC area using proper criteria. With my radio program serving as the principal media, I proceeded on a membership drive for 2 months. Benefiting from help of some friends, I was able to bring my dream to fruition as the United In Group Harmony Association was officially born at the VFW in East Rutherford, NJ (across the street from where I was born). On Saturday night, Dec. 4th 1976. UGHA #1 was attended by approximately 100 people (90% men), with 50 being card bearing members. Our special guests were 2 veteran acappella groups, Remaining Few and The Bonaires.

To these friends who helped me at UGHA’s humble beginnings, if I didn't thank you then, I'd like to now: Stan Krause, Trina. Mancini, George Lavatelli, Sal Passantino, Mike Caldarulo, Bobby Lezsczak, K.J. O'Doherty, Bill Swanke, Linda Sartor, Paul Ressler, Ken Seltzer, John Callandriello, Sammy Marrone, and Joe Orlando.

The past 25 years saw UGHA make 4 moves. Meeting/ show #2 was held 2 blocks from #1 in East Rutherford at the Mercury Club for 6 times in 1977, and we outgrew it. The next move was to St. Joseph's In East Rutherford (Enough can't be said about loyalty to your home town!). We spent 2 1 / 2 years at St. Joseph's, our most extensive crowd drawing years. The admission donation charge was $1 for non-members, and free for members. We were able to sell our own soda, beer, and mixed drinks by obtaining a monthly non-profit liquor license for $75. The groups drank free and one of my fondest recollections was of Clarence Quick (Del Vikings bass) drinking a quart of gin ... straight! We paid $100 for the rental at St. Joseph's and $150 to a cleanup service (Imagine picking up 50 cases of empty beer cans every month). Our St. Joe's days came to an abrupt end in Feb. of 1980 when the fire dept. couldn't understand how and why we could cramp 1,000 people into a hall with a 500 occupancy limit.

Next stop, Hoboken, NJ in March of 1980 at the Union Hall, then on to Tom’s Restaurant (which burned down soon after) in Newark in April of 1980. In May of 1980 we moved to our present location, Schuetzen Park in North Bergen, NJ. 224 meeting/ shows and over 21 years later, the present ... to the future.

I feel comfortable, contented, and optimistic after 25 years. The friendships that have been formed through UGHA are precious and a very important part of my life. My wife Sandra, who I met through UGHA, is my tower of strength, my inspiration, my motivation, and my serenity. The last 6 1 / 2 years, of our marriage, have been the best years of my life. Although she is much younger than I, in many ways she is more mature than I am. I'm 60 years old but I still can be a boy, her boy, and enjoy my music, sports, and classic cars as I did when I was a teenager. I can produce the finest group harmony CDs putting so much work and time into these projects with the full support of my wife. She makes me feel young ... young enough to continue searching for obscure groups to continue the quest to preserve and expose vocal group harmony music through our monthly meeting/ shows and special events! Life is good!

I can't promise you another 25 years but, as long as I'm physically and mentally able, I can promise I will continue in my usual manner.

Special thanks to my two right hand men the last 20 years, Joe Loud and D. Vail. If loyalty was measured monetarily, these guys would make me a millionaire. More thanks are due to Frank Bartholomew, David Rockir, and Mike Marshowsky, our video and sound men for their patience with me and their professional work. Thanks also to Phil & Sue Finke, Carl & Robin Robbert, Ron & Loretta Lowther, Patrick Gaynor, Tony Oetjen, Linda & Hank Bower, Bill Olb, and Marty Schein ... my loyal staff and beloved friends.

TOP TEN UGHA MOMENTS Of The Past 25 Years

(As Voted By The Membership )

1) 1992 ‑ 5 Keys Original Group Performing At UGHA's Hall Of Fame

2) 1995 ‑ Ronnie & Sandi I's Wedding/ UGHA Meeting Show Featuring 19 Groups

3) 1986 ‑ UGHA's 10th Anniversary Bash With 50+ Groups - 3 Day Celebration

4) 2001 ‑ Johnny Bragg's UGHA Hall Of Fame Induction

5) 1980 ‑ Sonny Til & Orioles At UGHA For Last Performance Before His Death

6) 1994 ‑ Golden Gate Quartet Return To America For UGHA's Hall Of Fame

7) 1993 ‑ Harry Douglas Captures UGHA's Heart At Meeting/ Show

8) 1977 ‑ Slim Rose At UGHA (Mercury Club in E. Rutherford, NJ)

9) 1978 ‑ Chords Reunited And Performing At UGHA (St. Joseph's E. Ruth., NJ)

10) 1979 ‑ Four Fellows Reunited At Special UGHA Concert (Tom's Rest.‑Newark)

Your president was responsible for the top ten choices that were put on the ballot for your voting. I'll admit, narrowing down the choices were difficult. Some that could have made it and deserved honorable mention include:

‑ The original Chantels being inducted into our Hall Of Fame and delighting the audience with a impromptu "Maybe" on stage at Symphony Space, NYC.

‑ Bronx Night at UGHA in 1993 with the Crickets ‑ Wrens ‑ Mellows ‑ Norman Fox & Rob Roys plus others. The entire concert was video taped by National Geographic and clips were shown on National TV.

‑ Dewitt Clinton High School, The Bronx, 1988 a special UGHA concert reuniting The Ravens for a special performance. Ollie Jones, The original tenor lead, 1946 ‑ Maithe Marshall, tenor lead 1947 thru 1951 ‑ Leonard Puzey, original 2nd tenor and Warren Suttles, original baritone. If another special top UGHA moment comes to mind I apologize for not including it.

UGHA'S TOP TEN FINEST UGHA MOMENTS Of The Past 25 Years

10) 1979 ‑ Four Fellows Reunited At Special UGHA Concert (Tom's Restaurant, Newark, NJ)

Jim McGowan, Larry Banks, David Jones, and Teddy Williams gave us a wonderful Evening! It was definitely a night to remember. In 1980 they gave us a fabulous recording of "Skylark" for the UGHA label.

9) 1978 ‑ Chords Reunited And Performing At UGHA (St. Joseph's, E. Ruth. NJ)

The group made a connection with UGHA when they came up to the "Ronnie I. just For You" radio show in early 1978, promising to rehearse and perform at UGHA. Carl Feaster, Jimmy Keyes, Buddy McRae, and gary Morrison. I'll never forget their bright red outfits and their fabulous performance. The only alive today is Buddy McCrae.

8) 1977 ‑ Slim Rose At UGHA)Mercury Club in E. Rutherford, NJ).

For $100 we were able to get Slim Rose (Mr. Times Square Records) to UGHA as a guest speaker. It was our 3rd meeting/ show and Slim was fantastic. He was suffering with Emphysema and in his 70's. I kept in touch with Slim for about a year after, until his phone was disconnected. I have to believe he passed away or he's 100 years old and still grubbing cigarettes.

7) 1993 ‑ Harry Douglas (My hero) Captures UGHA's Heart At Meeting/Show.

Earlier that year, Things To Come were introduced to the UGHA audience. It did not take long for UGHA to appreciate their talent and make them a favorite. Gene Minor asked me if I knew who Harry Douglas was and I answered he was the lead of the pioneer 40's group the Deep River Boys. I asked Gene why? He told me Harry had been his neighbor in Jamaica, Queens since he was a child and played in his flower beds. Gene promised he and the guys would come back to UGHA in a month or so and bring Harry Douglas with them. Sure enough, Harry Douglas came and he conquered! The audience loved him, his wit, charm, charisma, and warmth. And he could sing!! The next few years he was kept busy spreading his charm to many venues and then he was gone ... forever. We miss him. God bless Pop!

6) 1994 ‑ Golden Gate Quartet Return To America For UGHA's Hall Of Fame.

In my opinion, that was our finest moment. The Gates were formed in 1934 but in 1957 it seemed like this country had no place for a pioneer gospel group to make a living. The Gates found success and continued popularity in Europe when they toured year after year averaging 75 to 100 shows per year. They accepted our invitation to come to America and sing for our membership as well as being inducted into our Hall Of Fame. It made it possible for the Gates to celebrate their 60th Anniversary in the country they were born. They turned down an offer from the Smithsonian Institute, while they were in this country, so no attention would be taken away from the organization who had worked so very hard to bring them here. Dad Wilson and Clyde Riddick have since passed away, but the group continues in Europe. Sandi and I have a special memory of the Gates. When we were on our honeymoon and visited Paris for 3 days, we stayed at Dad & Gun Wilsons home. We were also treated to a special Golden Gate Quartet rehearsal, a moment we will cherish always.

5) 1980 ‑ Sonny Til & Orioles At UGHA For Last Performance Before His Death

I'll never forget that day. After phone conversations with Sonny, I was finally getting him to UGHA‑ When I arrived at Schuetzen Park at 4:00 in the afternoon Sonny & the guys were already there waiting in their car. Sonny came out to greet me wearing a cowboy hat. He was limping slightly because a few days earlier one of his toes was amputated due to his diabetes. We spent hours together talking about the past and the future until the doors were opened for UGHA members. The Orioles were tremendous that night. After the performance I conducted an open forum and Sonny was more than happy to answer all questions and give information regarding his career. He passed away a couple of months later but I will never forget that day, the big smile, and the cowboy hat. A true legend at UGHA!

4) 2001 ‑ Johnny Bragg's UGHA Hall Of Fame Induction

Our most recent "finest moment" when Johnny Bragg the legendary lead of the Prisonaires, flew up, with his daughter from Nashville, Tn to receive his plaque and enter our Hall of Fame. Johnny captured the hearts of all in attendance with his warmth and humility. We also received a special treat when he sang, "Just Walking in the rain" and a "Prisoners Prayer" basked by the Sheps. Johnny Bragg hopefully will visit UGHA again and give us another fine memorable moment.

3) ‑ 1986 ‑ UGHXs 10th Anniversary Bash With 50+ Groups ‑ 3 Day Celebration

That weekend can never be duplicated. We were 15 years younger and were able to fulfill all our plans. We had our choice of many more groups. (Death and age have minimized our choices in 2001). Friday night began at 7 pm and ended at 1 am, Saturday 12 noon til 2 am, and Sunday from 2 pm til 9 pm. Group after group entertainment straight through. Unfortunately, that weekend was marred by the death of legendary bass Charles Moffitt, when he was murdered in the elevator of his building in Bed-Sty, after performing on Saturday night with the Velours. This crime still remains unsolved today.

2) ‑ 1995 ‑ Ronnie & Sandi I's Wedding - UGHA Meeting Show Featuring 19 Groups.

I had been saying for years prior to that day 'If I ever get married again, it will be at a UGHA meeting/ show." And I did! A private cocktail hour began at 2:00 pm, the wedding at 6:00 pm, and food and groups fill 2 am. I know Sandi and I made a lot of people happy that day, but none more than ourselves.

1) ‑ 1992 ‑ 5 Keys Original Group Performing At UGHA's 2nd Annual Hall Of Fame.

Coming in at #1 proves how popular the 5 Keys music is to the membership. I feel that if I made the statement that Rudy West was the finest lead singer in the history of our music, I won't get many arguments. We miss Rudy, for in his 70's before his death a few years ago, he really still had his great vocal talent. He was a gentleman at all times. It was a privileged pleasure to be in his company. On that night, in 1992, the original recording group was reunited for the first time since the late 1950's. After accepting their plaques, this legendary group treated UGHA to one of their many classic recordings "Close Your Eyes". There stood a classic group: Rudy West, Bernie West, Ripley Ingram, Dickie Smith, and Maryland Pierce.

Click on buttons below to view photos /reviews from UGHA 25th Anniversary weekend celebration.