The Waxers

Ever hear of the singing group that called themselves The Waxers? We were able to stump Brassy Beresford on this one and let me tell you, you have to get up pretty early in the morning to stump Brassy when it comes to Wellsville history!

Back in the late 1950s ('57-'58 &'59) five guys from Wellsville High School got together to form the singing group calling themselves The Waxers. It was the first ever singing group of its kind from WHS. Their costumes consisted of red blazers, white dress shirts, black ties and black slacks.

Wellsville entrepreneur Ralph Fusco at the time owned a record shop on Main Street called the House of Wax. It was located in the same store that the old video store was in, between 5th & 4th Sts. Fusco sponsored the group and that's how the name came about.

The Waxers sang tunes from the Billboard Top 40. In that era it was mostly doo wop songs. They performed at various functions such as proms and dinner dances. They appeared regularly at the record hops on the third floor of the old post office building that is now the home of DaLonzo's. Back then they had weekly record hops at that location for area teens. Mackey Comparetta, the only one from the group still living in the ville, told me he remembers performing at both an East Liverpool and a Beaver Local prom.

This picture is from the Ralph Fusco collection. Standing out front is lead singer Phil (Butch) Baldwin, singing back-up from the left is Leni Cuti, Anthony Grande, Frank (Dan) Baldwin and Mackey Comparetta. Leni Cuti now lives "somewhere in the Dayton area" according to Mackey. Grande now lives on the left coast of Florida. Anthony was in town this past summer for his 50th Year Class Reunion. The Baldwin brothers have gone on to their eternal reward and are no longer with us. And as I mentioned Mackey is the only one still in town.

Mackey said it was graduation diplomas that eventually broke up the group. Mackey said Shirley McDevitt did some arranging for them and accompanied the group on the piano.

Now if this don't stir up some feelings of nostalgia I don't know what will. Record shops, record players, records, record hops... all long gone. For many of us it was all part of our growing up and kids today will look at you and say huh? Don't feel bad Brass. At least you remembered the House of Wax. Until a few days of go I never heard of the shop or of the Waxers.

Thanks to Roe & Jack for sharing the picture and the memories.

ole nib