What was it like starting in the Shore music scene in the 1950s?
The same music that was being played in New York City clubs was being played in Asbury Park and Seaside Heights. Little Richard, Joey Dee and the Starliters, the Flamingos, Chubby Checker—they all played Wildwood to perfect their acts. Somers Point was more of a group scene; guys with hot instrumental groups played Somers Point. Atlantic City was more of the Dean Martins, the Sophie Tuckers. How did you become part of all that? I started to do record hops down in Atlantic City and Ocean City in 1958. We gradually spread to Wildwood. We did record hops where kids could go from eight o’clock to midnight. Where did your love of music come from? In 1954 I was a dancer on the original Bandstand in Philly. Bob Horn was the host then, long before Dick Clark. Way before I became a disc jockey, I was winning dance contests. When you’re a kid growing up in South Philly, music is always being played, especially during the summertime. I began buying records at Sun Ray Drugstore when I was thirteen
