Hey guys , I was just reading about the Zirkons, and I was remembering Mario , Before he was a Zirkon and before I was a Five Shark, we used to have lunch room together in Taft High School in The Bronx, and  we used to hit notes at lunch with some other guys , Mario was a great guy and did a great impersonation of Johnny Mathis, A few years later our groups used to do shows together on Fordham Road , at Arthur Murray`s  ,  Anyway just sharing a memory of way back then.---   Eddie Black aka Eddie Schwartz , The Five Sharks. - 15 Oct. 2007

Tommy
These facts were mostly what I know and what , Stevie and Abraham said in their book,  which I know to be right

The 1963 original Zircons were a East Harlem group that consisted of James Grenetsky, lead, Donald Lewis, John Loiacono, Kenneth Pulcino and Neil Colello, (This group is often confused with the Bronx group of the same sounding name but spelled Zirkons instead of  Zircons), This East harlem group only made one recording , on MelloMood, Lonely Way and the flip side was Your Way , with music.

The 1964 Zirkons were a Bronx group that was the more popular of the two groups and recorded strickly acappella songs on The Snowflake label, They were Mario Ibanez known for his distinctive lead, , Les Perez, Bob Magerny, Richy Sobel and Barry Zacker and an early member Michael Schwartz who dropped out early on , They are mostly remembered for There single Silver Bells and Stormy Weather(fast version)  and their full length album, Acappella Sessions with The Zirkons

Eddie Black , The Five Sharks - Feb 2010

Tommy,

I sang with the Zirkons in 1964. I sang 2nd tenor, falsetto and shared the lead.

I remember we rehearsed in the 182nd Street subway on the Grand Concourse
and in the lobby of the apartment building I lived in for the echo.  Depending on
the time of day it was, we always drew a crowd.

Sadly, when the Zirkons were asked to sing professionally, I was unable, due
to the fact I was only 14, which is why I was called “the kid”.  This is why I
am not in any of the publicity photos.  I am looking for a photo of my from back
then and when I find it, I will send it to you.

It was a great time, one of which I will never forget.

There is something new that I am working on now and I’ll contact you when I know more.

Neal Stuart (aka Neal Schneberg) - January 2011