The Mystics

Formed in Brooklyn, NY, in the late '50s, this white doo wop group, consisting of Al Contrera, Al Cracolici, Phil Cracolici, George Galfo, and Bob Ferrante, scored their one and only major national hit in 1959 with the Doc Pomus/Mort Shuman-authored "Hushabye." The beauty of that one hit song, however, coupled with the quality of their subsequent work -- even though none of it ever reached a wide audience -- left an impression among doo wop enthusiasts that lingered for decades, leading to a comeback in the early '80s.



The Mystics' story is practically an exemplar of the best doo wop groups, in terms of longevity and recognition in the wake of momentary (but significant) chart success. The group had its origins in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, a white ethnic outer borough enclave of New York City, which also spawned such vocal groups as The Passions, The Four-evers, and The Classics. The group originated as the Overons, a quintet that included Al Cracolici (born April 29, 1936, baritone), Joe Stroble (lead), George Galfo (born 1940, second tenor), and Bob Ferrante (born 1936, first tenor). Their original bass left the group in 1956, and Al Contrera (born January 8, 1940) was brought in to replace him. The new lineup worked, and when Joe Stroble left sometime later, Phil Cracolici (born September 17, 1937) joined as lead singer.

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