The Vogues





Formed in 1960, The Vogues were a four man vocal group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, consisting of Bill Burkette (lead baritone), Don Miller (baritone), Hugh Geyer (first tenor) and Chuck Blasko (second tenor). Originally calling themselves 'The Val-Airs', they changed their name when they were signed to the tiny Co & Ce label. In 1965 they released a song called "You're The One", that quickly rose to the number 4 position on Billboard's Hot 100. The group's second effort, "Five O'clock World" continued the rock-folk sound and also reached number 4. This tune enjoyed a revival of sorts, when it was used as the theme to 'The Drew Carey Show' in the late 90's.

The group's next attempts, "Magic Town" and "The Land Of Milk and Honey" were not quite as successful, but still managed to edge into the top 40 in 1966.

For the next few years, The Vogues clean cut, harmony group image was out of step with the rock and roll scene and it wasn't until they signed with Reprise Records in 1968 that they reached the charts again with a middle of the road ballad called "Turn Around, Look At Me". Despite sharing radio air time with increasingly harder rock, the song still managed to hit number 7 and sell over a million copies.

Staying with the lighter, more sophisticated style they loved best, The Vogues kept the hits coming when they took a cover of a 1957 Bobby Helms hit, "My Special Angel" into the Top 10 in September 1968. As they toured the club circuit, the group had two more songs reach the Top 40, "Till" and "No, Not Much".

By the time the 1970's dawned, the Vogues were out of vogue. Further singles failed to get any attention and the group began to splinter. Various line-ups continued to play the oldies circuit for years and a version of the group was still touring at the turn of the new millennium. In 2001, the original group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Throughout 2011, Bill Burkette, Hugh Geyer continued to tour as The Vogues. Their 2012 schedule had them booked for shows across the United States.

For more, be sure to read Gary James' interview with Hugh Geyer