THE FOUR EPICS
(Left to Right - Ritchie, Jack, Mickey and Jimmy)

When you think of the Philly sound - that magic mixture of melody and fun - several groups that recorded over the years come to mind.  But one group was able to capture not only that sound but the sound of early 60's, white, street corner doo-wop singing - the Four Epics.  They were four guys from the Bancroft Street area of South Philly - Jack McKnight (tenor), Jimmy Mullen (baritone), Mickey Neil (2nd tenor) and Bobby Riccobene (bass).  The original four met in early 1959 and were originally the Bancrofts.  All of the members of the group could sing well and they typically took turns singing lead.  Its an interesting story on how they met.  Jimmy Mullen explains that in those days there wasn't much to do other than to hang out on the street corner and "whistle at women."  Jimmy tells that "one night this guy comes walking up with a guitar strapped on his back - he looked like he could be the third Everley brother."  That guy was Jack "Rocky" McNight a veteran of the local bar circuit.  That night, McKnight would play his guitar and ask the guys to sing this note and that.  By the end of the evening "he had at least 3 of us doing some kind of harmony."  Within a couple of months, the Bancrofts were born.

In May 1960, the rio cut their first demo, "Wonderful Girl" at a local studio.  Although sounding okay with the first voices and guitar, it lacked fullness and the boys realized they needed that fourth voice to round out the sound.  McKnight knew an old friend who might be interested.  A barrel chested Italian guy named Bobby Riccobene showed up one night driving a Cadillac Biarrity ragtop.  They found their bass singer and thus became the Four Epics, taking their name from the label of one of their favorite groups, the Four Coins on Epic Records.  In 1961, the group was recording again, doing background work for Billy Lynn on a record called Spaceship Blues (Taba Records).  The song was later re-written by Jack McKnight and entitled Here Comes Nancy which was recorded by Rick and the Masters (Rick actually was Tony Trombetta, Billy Lynn's brother).
 

Later in 1961, the group went back to AMS Sound Studio to record another 3 original song demo with Mr. Weather, Wedding Bells, and Cabin in the Sky (the tape of which was lost and has never been located).  In March 1962, the group went back to AMS and recorded yet another demo with One Magic Moment, Summertime Angel, Girl in the Moonlight and Unchained Melody.  The group would finally hit after teaming up with Jerry Ross who, in 1962, took the group to Bell Sound Studio where it recorded its first release - I'm On My Way to Love b/w When the Music Ends (Heritage 109).  Another version of Girl in the Moonlight was also set down but not released.  Shortly thereafter, Bobby Riccobene left the group and was replaced by Ritchie Lalli.

Later in 1962 and early 1963, the group went into the studio to record Again, Sad One and probably their most remembered release - (I Love You) Diane.  If you want a recording that sums up this era in group harmony history, with its sugar sweet sound, charming lyrics, strong instrumentation, and, of course, robust harmonies, then Diane would be a good choice.  Very different chord choices on these recordings, which Jimmy Mullen believes was the reason why the group was not more successful as the public was not ready for such innovative song styling.  This was quintessential early 1960's, neo-revivalist, white, doo-wop singing.  Later in 1963, the group, in keeping with the same winning formula, recorded Dance JoAnne, How I Wish That I Was Single Again, (The Lost) Mama's Boy, For the First Time and Cover Girl.  Out of those sessions, Diane b/w Again (Laurie 3155) and Dance Jo Anne b/w How I Wish I Was Single Again (Laurie 3183) were released on the Laurie Records, known as the chief purveyor of this genre of music.
 

Off the success of these recordings, the group did a lot of touring from Maine all the way to Virginia.  They'd play several sock hops a night - perform, hang out and sign autographs and then head to another show a few miles away.  Jimmy Mullen recalls being on stage when the Dubs (Could This Be Magic) were heading out the door when they suddenly returned to listen to the end of the group's song.  The group also toured with the likes of Marvin Gaye, the Angels, and other big names.  One memorable tour - Allentown DJ Gene Kaye got the group a week in the Catskills at Grossingers.

By late 1963, things started slowing down.  Mickey Neill and Ritchie Lalli decided on a leave of absence and McKnight and Mullen would team up with Buzzy Shearin and Tony Barbella, call themselves the Vespers and record a one-shot release entitled Mr. Cupid b/w When I Walk With My Angel (Swan 4156).  It was a minor hit, but with no follow up material, the group disbanded.  Mickey and Ritchie returned and would continue to record with Jerry Ross doing Congratulations to Someone, My Future Just Passed and Tammy Ann, none of which were released.  By late 1966, personnel changed again and Mickey and Ritchie were replaced by George Daly and Johnny Greco (of Rocket Ride fame).  The group released one record with Johnny on lead under the name of Tony French entitled You Can't Measure Our Love b/w My Girl Valentine.
 

Later in 1972, the group changed names again and became Exodus releasing a Four Seasons Medley on Jamie (1442) b/w Zing/Tonight Could Be The Night as well as a single on Wand Records - M and M b/w Silhouttes/You Cheated (Wand 11248).  As Exodus, the group also recorded an LP from which a single - You've Got Your Troubles - was released.
 
 
 
 

Also unknown to many fans of music is the fact that a couple of the members of the Four Epics recorded with the Dreamlovers after some of the original members left.  It was original Dreamlover lead Donald Hogen, along with the group's original bass and members of the Four Epics that recorded such memorable recordings as Amazons and Coyotes, Together, Mother, Oh Baby Mine and Calling Joan.  And even more remarkably, the Four Epics can be heard backing up such legendary Cameo/Parkway artists as Chubby Checker (that's them on the Twist and Limbo Rock), the Dovells, Little Joey and the Flips, Mark Valentino, Rick and the Masters and Freddie Cannon.
 

None of the members of the Four Epics are currently performing.  Jack McNight passed away in April 2001.  Jimmy Mullen went out to California to be an animal trainer.  In 1984, Eddie Engel of Crystal Ball Records put out an album of Four Epics songs.  A year or so ago Jimmy worked with Eddie to put out a terrific CD compilation of all of the group's work - Bancrofts, Four Epics, Vespers and Exodus.  That CD - Still Standing in the Moonlight - was released this past year.  An enjoyable collection of songs many of which were never before available and a great multi-page booklet with many terrific pictures of the group over the years.  As for the future, Jimmy is working to try to put together a new group on the west coast together with Steve Feinberg (the Attitudes) and Fred Romaine (the Native Boys).  The three have talked and sung a little together. "Who knows where is may lead," but we hope to see Jimmy, Steve and Fred back on the oldies circuit in the near future.