Nino & the Ebb Tides

Formed in the Bronx, New York, USA, the Ebb Tides (as they were originally called) featured classmates Antonio ‘Nino’ Aiello (lead), Tony Delesio (baritone), Vinnie Drago (bass) and Rudy (tenor). Their recording debut, ‘Franny Franny’, came after meeting talent scout Murray Jacobs in 1957. By the end of the year they had extended their title to Nino And The Ebb Tides and transferred to Recorte Records. Their second single, ‘Puppy Love’, saw Delesio and Rudy replaced by Tony Imbimbo (baritone) and Ralph Bracco (tenor). This sold well in the New York area, but, like its successors, ‘I’m Confessin’’ and ‘Don’t Look Around’, it failed to make any national headway. In 1960 Tony DiBari replaced Bracco and the group moved to Marco Records. This resulted in only one single, ‘Someday’, before they joined Madison Records. Their first effort for Madison was a version of ‘Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me Of You)’, but its impact was dulled by a competing version by Little Caesar And The Romans. The Ebb Tides followed up with another nostalgic doo-wop record, ‘Juke Box Saturday Night’. This at last brought them mainstream success. Like its predecessor, it used snatches of familiar doo-wop classics in the background, and peaked at number 57 in the US charts. Despite the breakthrough, Madison was suffering financial difficulties and the Ebb Tides moved on again, this time to Mr Peacock Records. However, ‘Happy Guy’ failed to chart, though more damaging was the group’s decision to pass on a song written by Ernie Maresca, ‘The Wanderer’, which became a massive seller for Del-Satins. The Ebb Tides folded in 1965 after a handful of singles for ever more obscure labels. They did reunite in 1971, however, and again in the 80s for a series of 50s revival shows.