Joseph J. Monaco

The Markeys: Georgie Morton aka Shadow Morton, Marty Monaco (Joseph Monaco's brother), Tony Giannattasio aka Tony Michaels Written by Shadow Morton and Joseph Monaco Debut single released in the summer of 1958 "Teenaged George Morton started running with a gang called the Red Devils, led by a character named “Bumpy.” He also started singing with a doo-wop group made up of Marty Monaco, Tony Giannatasio, Sal DiTroia, and Victor Eusepi. Monaco’s mother had a recording studio. The boys spent all of their free time experimenting, and in the summer of 1958, they were offered the opportunity by a local producer to record two songs in the RCA Records Studio in New York City. They released “Hot Rod” and “Yakkity Yak.” When you listen to “Hot Rod,” it’s not as realized as his later successes, but you can hear the direction he’s headed in. Sound effects are created vocally, and he’s painting a picture with words." ( 5 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Written by ’60s Girl-Grou