Little Star

Album: Little Star (1958)
Charted: 25 1
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Songfacts®:

  • This was the only hit for this Staten Island group. They adopted the name after a member saw a billboard ad for Schenley's Whiskey - the ad had the phrase "liquor of elegance."
  • Group members Arnold Venosa and Vito Picone came up with this by adapting the children's classic "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" into a rock song.
  • This was the only #1 hit ever released by Apt Records. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Brad Wind - Miami, FL, for all above
  • The Elegants were the first group to top the Hot 100 when "Little Star" reached #1 on the chart dated August 25, 1958.

Comments: 10

  • Sicilian Falcon from Staten Island NyTo Wayne from Fla. Charlie Roberts was my trombone teacher when I was 12 years old and NEVER was affiliated with my group the Elegants or Little Star which I wrote with bandmate Artie Venosa.
    Where the hell do you get your info.
  • Peter Ugarte from San AntonioGreat song!
  • Wayne from Cape Coral, FloridaCharles Roberts wrote 'Little Star' and participated in writing songs for the Elegants. A Staten Islander, I knew Charlie personally. He died in an auto accident about 36 years ago.
  • Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkI love this song & the group. I'm a child of the 90s & my Mom once owned this 45 in her collection many moons ago. In 2006, I found a near mint condition 45 at a big flea market here & got it. Great rock & roll from the 50s.
  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaI have recently read that the reason why the group didn't go anywhere is because they wouldn't pay Payola, is this true? Also I have only seen two peoples names that were in the group, who were the rest?
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn August 29, 1958 DJ Alan Freed held the first of his New York City 'Big Beat Revues' ; it took place at the Fox Theater in Brooklyn, NY...
    One of the acts* to appear were the Elegants; and at the time their "Little Star" was at #1 {for 1 week} Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, and it stayed on the chart for 19 weeks....
    It was the Staten Island quintet's only charted record...
    * Other acts to appear were Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Freeman, and Jimmy Clanton {and Jimmy's "Just a Dream" was at #4 on the Top 100 at the time}.
  • Sicilian Falcon from Staten Island, NyAs of 50's vocal group historian, I can tell you that Jimmy M did NOT write "Little Star", nor was he a lead singer. All the songs recorded by the original Elegants were ONLY sung by Vito Picone, except one song (True Love Affair). The previous comment is an example of many incorrect stories circulated over the years.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyHeld the No. 1 spot for one week; the song it knocked out of No. 1 was "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu" by Domenico Modugno, but it reclaimed the top spot the following week and stayed No. 1 for four weeks!!!
  • Lonnie from Staten Island, Nyvito picone wrote and sang the song ,I'm sure frankie would agree
  • Anna from Nyc, Nymy grandfaher is frank of the elagants and originally supposed to sing little star wen jimmy m. yanked the mike out of his hands and said "i wrote the song i'll sing the song!!" my gandfather isnt known for voicing his opinion and he is very laid bak so of course he stepped asde. ayhow we all know that the the best song they sang is true love afair because you know who sings it love ya pooh bah you are the real star ;)
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