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I OFTEN WONDER, The Academics, Unreleased (Ancho #104) 1958

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I OFTEN WONDER, The Academics, Unreleased (Ancho #104) 1958
Flipside: GIRL THAT I LOVE – Here is another really great unknown ballad from my music collection. The Academics hailed from New Haven, Connecticut. Group members were Dave Fisher (lead), Billy Greenberg (1st tenor), Marty Ganter (2nd tenor), Ron Marone (baritone) and Richie "Goose" Greenberg (bass).

The Academics are most known to record collectors for their recordings of “AT MY FRONT DOOR/DARLA MY DARLIN” (Ancho #100) 1956 and “HEAVENLY LOVE/TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE” (Anchor #101) 1957. Both releases were released again in 1964 for Relic Records (Hackensack, New Jersey).

PLEASE NOTE: “HEAVENLY LOVE/TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE” was released first on (Anchor #101) 1957 and 2nd pressed on (Ancho #101). The Anchor release value was $500.00, and the Ancho release value was $200.00 22 years ago! Both pressings are rare.

The Academics began singing as teenagers. They all went to Hillhouse High School in New Haven, CT. They took their name from their high school nickname “Academics”.

New Haven attorney Joel Alderman, who also was a news reporter at radio station (WELI-AM) in New Haven, liked their sound and agreed to manage them. Alderman also managed The Starlarks who he had record on his own Elm record label. Alderman brought the Academics to WELI disc jockey Carl Loucks who was impressed with their sound and encouraged them to record.

Thanks to Carl Loucks and Jim Gallant, host of a daily TV show called Connecticut Bandstand, “TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE” became the #1 record in New Haven.

In mid-August 1958 all the Academics records did well in the Connecticut area but failed to chart nationally.

Following the release of The Academics third record “DRIVE-IN MOVIE” (Elmont #1001) 1958, Vinnie Giardina replaced Dave Fisher as lead singer, who left to attend Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT. At Wesleyan, Fisher formed the folk group, the Highwaymen who recorded “MICHAEL ROW THE BOAT ASHORE” and “COTTON FIELDS.” Dave Fisher passed away on May 7, 2010.

In 1989 two unreleased Academics’ masters from 1958 “I OFTEN WONDER” (this upload) and “GIRL THAT I LOVE” were discovered and released.

The Academics continued singing over the years, appearing with many well-known performers including Connie Francis, the Five Satins, the Platters, and Paul Anka.

Enjoy this really great unknown ballad “I OFTEN WONDER” by The Academics with the late Dave Fisher singing lead. New Haven, Connecticut doowop at its finest!
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Highway Men
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