Student from Somers becomes doo-wop star

Christopher Ruggiero, center, with The Duprees at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park.

Eighteen-year-old Christopher Ruggiero of Somers, a freshman at Pace, managed to steal some time away from his studies to pursue his passion of doo-wop music in a big way: he performed with the classic group The Duprees in a television special made for the Public Broadcasting Service.

The program “Doo-Wop Generations” was produced by T. J. Lubinsky. He has been responsible for numerous PBS programs spotlighting music of the rock ”™n”™ roll era. More than 200 musicians gathered in Asbury Park, New Jersey, for the two-day taping at the Paramount Theatre on Dec. 12 and 13. The show began airing nationally at the beginning of March and, if the pattern is repeated, will be shown from time to time for years to come.

As a child, Ruggiero became passionate about doo-wop music as a result of his grandfather having a group called “Joey and the Quotations.”

The Duprees are best known for their hits “You Belong to Me,” “My Own True Love” and “Have You Heard.”