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This rock 'n' roll vocal group came from Queens, New
York, USA. The members were brothers Dominick (lead)
and Frank Safuto (baritone). Randy and the Rainbows
came out of the thriving New York Italian-American
vocal group scene and were one of the last to get a
national hit before self-contained bands began
dominating popular music.
The group can be traced back to 1959 and the
formation of the Dialtones, which consisted of the
Safuto brothers, a cousin Eddie Scalla, and their lead,
Rosalie Calindo. In 1960 they recorded for George
Goldner's Goldisc label. Around 1963 the Safuto
brothers joined with the Zero brothers and Arcipowski
to form Randy And The Rainbows. They hooked up with
the Tokens' production company and recorded
"Denise", which when it came out on a Laurie Records
subsidiary became a Top 10 hit.
York, USA. The members were brothers Dominick (lead)
and Frank Safuto (baritone). Randy and the Rainbows
came out of the thriving New York Italian-American
vocal group scene and were one of the last to get a
national hit before self-contained bands began
dominating popular music.
The group can be traced back to 1959 and the
formation of the Dialtones, which consisted of the
Safuto brothers, a cousin Eddie Scalla, and their lead,
Rosalie Calindo. In 1960 they recorded for George
Goldner's Goldisc label. Around 1963 the Safuto
brothers joined with the Zero brothers and Arcipowski
to form Randy And The Rainbows. They hooked up with
the Tokens' production company and recorded
"Denise", which when it came out on a Laurie Records
subsidiary became a Top 10 hit.
Featuring Randy Safuto
Original Lead Singer
The Sounds of Randy and the Rainbows featuring Randy Safuto started back in 1959 when they first
sang under the name of the “Dialtones” (with a female lead) and had a local hit called “Till I Heard From
You.” In 1963 Dom Randy Safuto formed Randy and the Rainbows with his brother Frank Safuto and
three other members. Six months later they had a hit record called “Denise” which sold 3 million copies.
In 1964 they had a follow-up record called, “Why Do Kids Grow Up” which sold 800,000 copies. Then
from 1965 threw 1967 recorded “Little Star”, “Happy Teenager” and “Quarter To Three”. In 1982 Randy
and the Rainbows featuring Randy Safuto recorded their first album for Ambient Sound called, “C'mon
Let's Go” which kept them very busy and also led to their second album “Remember Randy and the
Rainbows”.
In 1984 Randy and the Rainbows showed their versatility when they recorded a medley of the “Four
Seasons” songs. Because of their dedication to the music business, Randy and the Rainbows – over
thirty years later – are still “extremely active” and musically sharper and more polished” then ever. Their
act has been described as “clean – fast moving – utilizing very effective medleys and harmonies.”
In 1998 the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Randy and the Rainbows have performed with Dick Clark, for various charities and telethons, at the
Westbury Music Fair, Radio City, the Nassau Coliseum, Kissimee, Florida and the Inaugural Ball. They
toured with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, performed at the Fox Theater, at outdoor concerts and
many great clubs in and around the metropolitan area and neighboring states.
The Group Today: Dom Randy Safuto (lead) – Frank Safuto (vocals) – Anthony Vara (vocals) – Charlie
Rocco (vocals) – Joe Cordani (keyboards) – Larry Zettwoch (guitar) – Frank Nicoletti (bass guitar) – and
Chris Safuto on the drums.
sang under the name of the “Dialtones” (with a female lead) and had a local hit called “Till I Heard From
You.” In 1963 Dom Randy Safuto formed Randy and the Rainbows with his brother Frank Safuto and
three other members. Six months later they had a hit record called “Denise” which sold 3 million copies.
In 1964 they had a follow-up record called, “Why Do Kids Grow Up” which sold 800,000 copies. Then
from 1965 threw 1967 recorded “Little Star”, “Happy Teenager” and “Quarter To Three”. In 1982 Randy
and the Rainbows featuring Randy Safuto recorded their first album for Ambient Sound called, “C'mon
Let's Go” which kept them very busy and also led to their second album “Remember Randy and the
Rainbows”.
In 1984 Randy and the Rainbows showed their versatility when they recorded a medley of the “Four
Seasons” songs. Because of their dedication to the music business, Randy and the Rainbows – over
thirty years later – are still “extremely active” and musically sharper and more polished” then ever. Their
act has been described as “clean – fast moving – utilizing very effective medleys and harmonies.”
In 1998 the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
Randy and the Rainbows have performed with Dick Clark, for various charities and telethons, at the
Westbury Music Fair, Radio City, the Nassau Coliseum, Kissimee, Florida and the Inaugural Ball. They
toured with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, performed at the Fox Theater, at outdoor concerts and
many great clubs in and around the metropolitan area and neighboring states.
The Group Today: Dom Randy Safuto (lead) – Frank Safuto (vocals) – Anthony Vara (vocals) – Charlie
Rocco (vocals) – Joe Cordani (keyboards) – Larry Zettwoch (guitar) – Frank Nicoletti (bass guitar) – and
Chris Safuto on the drums.
Denise #52 Top 100 DooWop of all Time