The Encounters

About

The Encounters originated in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn, mid 1963. By the end of the year they had a recording contract with Swan Records and recorded an original, "Don't Stop", written by Joe Venneri (Tokens) & Billy Carlucci (Billy & the Essentials). From 1963 to 1979 the group entertained in the Laurel's Country Club, The NY Hilton and the Friars Club as well as hundreds of corporate and private affairs. The Encounters, semi-retired from 1980 to 1991, and regrouped to perform December 1, 1991. Since reuniting they have appeared and sang on ABC's "One Life To Live" and made several appearances, singing live on the Don K. Reed Doo-Wop Shop WCBS-FM, Dennis Falcone's Remember Then Show on B-103FM and Mickey B's JukeBox Revue WGBB-AM & WNYG-AM.

Since 1994 The Encounters have appeared at Gracie Mansion For Mayor Giuliani,, Claridge Casino, "The Sands" Casino and The Tropicana, in Atlantic City, NJ; Westbury Music Fair (Dick Fox Holiday Shows); Village Underground in New York City, opened and performed with Garland Jeffreys. They have appeared with or opened shows for Earl Lewis & the Channels, Speedo & The Cadillacs, Arlene Smith & the Chantels, Lenny Coco & The Chimes, The Duprees, Randy & The Rainbows, The Emotions, The Devotions, The Dubs, Larry Chance & The Earls, Freddie Scott, Johnny Maestro & The Brooklyn Bridge, Emil Stucchio & the Classics, The Jive Five, The Passions, The Fireflies, The Harptones, The Monotones, Vito Piccone & the Elegants, The Five Discs and The Quotations, and many corporate and private functions.

Formed in Bushwick, Brooklyn in 1963. Pete Milazzo and Charlie DiComo have been members from the beginning. Mike Levy joined in 1964, and Pete DeBenedetto and Roy Hutchings joined in 1991. When Mike retired, Steve Hirschhorn replaced him, in 2005.

The group, has recorded on Swan Records, Starlight Records, Collectables Records, and Clifton Records, has the full, rich, deep-bass harmonic sound and sweet leads that we always look for in the best Doo-Wop recordings. These guys sing 'deep' doo-wop with a style that is all their own.

Favorites with audiences and critics, their CD on Collectables 'Don't Stop' was nominated as 'Album of the Year' and 'Song of the Year' by the Contemporary Acappella Society. They were also voted "Acappella Group Of The Year" in 2000, by Ronnie I's UGHA. Acappella gems such as 'Would You Still Be My Girl', 'House Where Lovers Dream', and 'What Did Daddy Do' get the street corner touch for which The Encounters are famous.

For more information and appearances, go to www.TheEncounters.com, or call Peter Milazzo at 516.978.4144, or Charlie DiComo at 917.968.3663.

The Encounters, Acappella at it's best.

Personnel

Peter "Silver Fox" Milazzo: Lead, 1st tenor, 2nd tenor.
Roy "Hutch" Hutchings: Lead, 1st tenor.
Steve "Mr. Non-Stop" Hirschhorn: Lead, 2nd tenor.
Pete "Bolo" DeBenedetto: Bass, lead.
"Tequila" Charlie DiComo: Baritone.

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