The Fabulous Four Fabulous Hits (Vinyl-LP)

In 1957, four fellows from the South Philadelphia area formed a singing group they named The Four J’s. They took their name based on the fact that each member's first name began with the letter J. They were Jr. Pirollo, Jimmy Testa, Joe “Judge” Milaro and another fellow named Joe whose last name is not remembered. He didn't remain with the group long enough to record, and left for personal reasons, being replaced by Jr.’s brother-in-law Bob Finizio.

After winning a local talent contest they were approached by Buddy Greco who became their manager and got the group their first recording contract in 1958 with U.A. Records. After a year and several releases Jr. and Bob became part of the “Four Naturals". The group was a studio group and after recording “How Strange” they didn’t want to tour or perform live. Jr. and Bob replaced the two members who were unhappy and were on all the following releases including their hit “The Thought of You Darling".

In 1960 Bob Marcucci of Chancellor Records approached Jr. and asked if his group would be willing to vocally back up Fabian on both recordings and tours. He also promised them several recordings on their own, a promise he kept proving to be one of the few honorable giants in the field. Jr. and Bob once again teamed up with Jimmy Testa and added Ernie Spano to the group (replacing Joe Milaro). Ernie was an original member of the “Four Dates", another Chancellor recording act. The group was now backing the famous billed Fabulous Fabian, so naturally Bob Marcucci came up with the groups new name “The Fabulous Four”. For the next 3-4 years the group recorded both with and without Fabian and toured the entire United States (except Alaska) and most of the world.

Bob Finizio in his spare time was becoming one of the most popular producers inthe field - and went on to write and produce (many times with Jr.) many artists such as Mike Dupree», the lntensions, the 4-Evers (not the Brooklyn group), Sonny /ito, and John Capri who were backed vocally by the Fabulous Four. Probably the best known work by Finizio was the Guyden release “The Girl From Across the Sea” by Ernie and the Halos (actually just the Fabulous 4 with Ernie singing Lead).

In late 1964-65 the group changed their name back to “The Four J‘s" and achieved their biggest success recording for Jamie Records “My Love Possessed" and “Here I Am Broken Hearted". Johnny Octobor was now a member of the group, Johnny was the original lead singer of the “Four Dates". Johnny took Jimmy’s place and can be heard singing lead on a “B” side “Said That I Loved Her".

Jr. went on and recorded a few solo records for Cameo/Parkway under the name Joey Roberts Jr. He is still active in the music businesstoday. All other members of the above groups are now long separated from their musical interests. . ' I Ed Engel I Crystal Ball Records .