Jimmy Moschello obit

Jimmy Moschello, an original member of Vito Picone & The Elegants, whose record ‘Little Star’ went gold in 1958, dies at 88

 

He was not on the list.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Vincent (Jimmy) Moschello, the bass/baritone singer who was an original member of Vito Picone & The Elegants — and whose mega hit “Little Star,” topped the charts and earned a gold record in 1958 — died in Staten Island University Hospital on Monday, according to his family who were by his side. He was 88.

Born in New Brighton on May 10, 1937 to Angelina and Michael Moschello, Mr. Moschello was one four children, three boys and a girl.

A singer with a passion for his craft, he joined Vito Picone & The Elegants in 1957, and remained an integral part of the doo wop group for more than six decades — until his death.

“Anyone who grew up in that era, knew young kids hung out in South Beach on the boardwalk,” noted Picone.

“We had over 100 kids on the boardwalk at times. We brought in singer Artie Venosa, who brought singer Jimmy Moschello to the table and Frankie Tardogna. And that’s how Vito Picone & The Elegants was formed. And once we had the nucleus of the group we sang at church dances and we started live auditions at the record companies all over the city.”

“Jimmy was a character,” added Picone. “We literally were closer than brothers. And all the guys in the group we bonded the closest — especially in the last 15 years that we were together. He was very friendly and outgoing and everybody loved him. He would say things that were very funny and break up the monotony. He was the center of attention. I teased him my whole life. It was a friendly thing. Everyone knew him. He was friends with everybody. I could name 15 top artists from the era who loved him with kind words to say. He would do anything for anybody. It didn’t make a difference in time — he would be there."

Vito Picone & The Elegants signed with ABC/Paramount on their subsidiary label APT, the label on which “Little Star” was released. Picone said 80,000 records were sold in New York in one week alone.

“They flew us to Hawaii,” Picone added. “And it was the biggest selling record in the history of the Hawaiian Islands at the time of its release in 1958. They welcomed us with thousands of kids as we followed Elvis into the civic auditorium.”

The song’s popularity led to school closures and a police motorcycle escort for the group upon their arrival in Hawaii.

Mr. Moshcello, who met his wife, Elena (Fran) when they were just 14, enjoyed recounting the story of how they met. The couple attended McKee High School. She threw a ball — a dodgeball or something similar — and the ball hit Moschello.

From that day on he knew he would marry her.

The couple married in 1960, and became the parents of five sons, Vincent, twins Michael and Gregory, Joseph, who died 2016, and John, the youngest born in 1967; grandparents to four, Carina, Tina, twins Michael and Nicholas, and two great-grandchildren, Ryder and Teddy.

The Moshcello’s were married for 57 years until Mrs. Moschello’s passing in 2017.

When Mr. Moschello wasn’t entertaining audiences on tours and on cruises, he was a bus operator for the New York City Transit Authority from the early 1970s through the 1990s.

In addition to singing, he enjoyed painting and hunting, but singing always remained his passion.

“We will miss his voice, his love and his presence, but we will carry him with us in music, shared meals and laughter. We love you, Dad, and we will miss you every day. You will always be in our hearts, and will always be our shining star,” said Mr. Moschello’s family, collectively.

“When Jimmy came through the door, you heard that familiar strong voice that would fill the house,” added his daughter-in-law, Arlene Moschello. ”The house felt fuller, louder, warmer, and more alive. After all, he is a singer and a very lively, animated person who enveloped you. He was a devoted family man who raised five sons with strength, pride and love. He adored his grandchildren who brought him so much joy. He was truly happy when he was singing and music lived in Jimmy’s soul."

She added, “Some of the family’s favorite memories are the simple ones, watching him sing, cook at home, watch movies and just be together.”

In addition to his sons and daughter-in-law, Mr. Moschello is survived by his sister, Marie Peteroy (Willie) and his brother, Michael Moschella (Lois). He was predeceased by his brother, Sonny Moschella.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Hanley Funeral Home in New Dorp.

Visitors will be received on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m.