The Devotions were formed in 1960, in Astoria (a borough of Queens, New York City), originally as a sextet. Soon they were pared down to a quintet, consisting of Ray Sanchez (bass vocalist), Bob Hovorka, Bob Weinbrod and the brothers Frank and Joe Pardo. The group is best known for the novelty song, "Rip Van Winkle" which failed to chart the first two times it was released, but finally caught on after it was reissued in January, 1964, peaking at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in the midst of Beatlemania.
Members: Ray Sanchez, Bob Weibrod, Bob Havorka, Joe Pardo, Frank Pardo
Mike & the Utopians were formed one night in 1958 in Lincoln Terrace Park in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn (NY). The park was a "hang out" for a number of local groups who would gather in the park in the evening and sing.
Among the singers in the park that night were members of the "Doom Lang" Tokens, the Revalons & the Rocketones
In 1961, Mike was the Lead Singer of the Accents ("Rags to Riches") on the Sultan label (# 5500). The "Rags To Riches" group had no connection to the Accents who recorded with Scott English even though both Accents groups recorded for the Sultan label. (Sultan's owner "owned" the name Accents and used it for more than 1 group.)
Mike also sang for a short time with the Concords (on Herald).
Mike was a great singer who we lost too soon.
Most of the above information was relatyed to me by Bobby Diskin.