The Trade Winds was an American pop group formed in Providence, Rhode Island. The group's members were Peter Anders (né Peter Andreoli) (1941–2016) and Vini Poncia, who previously had a hit single (with a third member, Norman Marzano) under the name "The Videls" with a song titled "Mr. Lonely", which hit #73 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1960.[1]
After a few further single releases, The Videls folded, and Anders and Poncia began writing tunes with Phil Spector for groups such as the Ronettes and the Crystals.[2] Recording under the name "The Trade Winds" in 1965, they released several singles and scored two more U.S. hits, "New York's a Lonely Town" (#32, 1965) and the psychedelic-tinged "Mind Excursion" (#51, 1966).[3] In 1966 they changed their name to "The Innocence", recorded a full-length eponymous album, and had two further hit singles, "There's Got to Be a Word!" (U.S. #34, 1966)[4] and "Mairzy Doats" (U.S. #75, 1967).[5] Following the LP release the duo released another album under the name Anders & Poncia on Warner Bros. Records in 1969, and shortly after broke up.[6]
Poncia later went on to produce material for artists such as Ringo Starr, Melissa Manchester, and Kiss.
The group was mentioned in the Mad Men Season 5 episode "Tea Leaves".[7]
References
- ^ The Videls at Allmusic.com
- ^ The Innocence at Allmusic.com
- ^ Trade Winds Billboard Singles, Allmusic.com
- ^ The Innocence Billboard Singles, Allmusic.com
- ^ Anders & Poncia at Allmusic.com
- ^ The Trade Winds at Allmusic.com
- ^ AV Club