“Go Ape with The Knockouts” on Tribute Records.   A Jersey group lead by singer Bob D’Adrea, who went on to form a comedy duo called Andre and Cirell which still performs around the Jersey Shore.     A fan remembers: “My friends and  I used to go to a place called Luciano’s on the East-bound side of Rte-46 in Lodi, NJ (commonly known back then as “sin strip.”). This was back in 1962-1964. The Knockouts were the featured group playing in what was a “Mafia” nightclub. It had its’ share of small and big-time mobsters with names like, Chokes, Jerry Chokes to be polite or I suppose, Mr. Chokes. Butcher, the Claw, Notch, John the Walk, Sali Burns and many others that I have long since forgotten. Their names were a representation of the specific service they performed. Many of these colorful characters had been deported from Manhattan to New Jersey for reasons  of their health.   Luciano’s (mysteriously) burned down in the 1970’s. “

“Clubs in those days were different from today’s. You couldn’t get in without a suit and tie. We use to sit at the bar and engage in our two favorite sports. Drinking 7&7’s or CC & water and trying to score with the babes. You had to be very careful on the last item. If you got too friendly with a “wise-guy’s” main squeeze it could prove painful.

Of course, the Knockout’s biggest hit was “Darling Lorraine”. However a favorite they performed at every gig was an Elvis Presley  tune called: “I don’t have a wooden heart”.

(39 votes, average: 3.51 out of 5)

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