[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 51 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF ``THE EMERALDS''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 1998

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention the 
momentous occasion of the 40th Anniversary of ``The Emeralds'', greater 
Paterson, New Jersey's premier rock and roll band.
  ``The Emeralds'' got their start in 1958. George Gerro and Joe Zisa 
met one day on a city bus while on their way to high school. As they 
spoke with one another, they realized they shared a common bond: music! 
George played guitar with the early inception of ``The Emeralds'' while 
Joe sang and played the saxophone with other local musicians. George 
took down Joe's number and promised to call if he ever needed a 
saxophone player. Within time that phone call came and the rest is 
history.
  ``The Emeralds'' now consisted of George on Guitar, Joe on vocals and 
saxophone, Charlie Lombardo on bass, and Jack Sliker on drums. The band 
rehearsed diligently in George's garage at 205 Emerson Avenue in 
Paterson. Performing many of the current hits of the day, ``The 
Emeralds'' were quickly booked to play school dances and one Saturday a 
month the John Raad American Legion Post in south Paterson. No matter 
where you went, be it St. Mary's C.Y.O., Central High School, or the 
Lincoln Club on West Broadway, ``The Emeralds'' were there!
  In 1960, ``Lightning'' Lenny Conforti, Joe's best friend, joined the 
group on drums replacing Jack Sliker who had joined the Army. The bank 
also added Bernie LaPorta from Central High on guitar. During the 1960s 
the band members paid their dues to ``Uncle Sam'', but still managed to 
keep the group together. ``The Emerald Experience,'' as they were now 
called went through additional lineup changes, with Bernie and Lenny 
taking an opportunity to go on the road with ``The Happenings.'' They 
were replaced by Joe Collucci on keyboards, who stayed with the band 
for three years, and Ron Tattersall on drums, who remained with the 
band until 1976 when Lenny returned. Bernie came back in 1973.
  Nineteen sixty-six was the year that Sal Sellitto became an 
``Emerald.'' Returning home from his recent tour of duty in Vietnam, 
Sal met up with his old friend, Joe Zisa. Knowing of Sal's vocal 
talents, Joe proposed to the rest of the band that Sal take over on 
lead vocals. The band was very skeptical at first. But, one night ``The 
Emeralds'' were performing at the Four Winds in Verona. The band asked 
the audience if they would like to hear Sal sing with the group. With 
some coaxing and encouragement, Sal eventually made his way to the 
stage and the band promptly broke out into ``Expressway To Your 
Heart.'' When the song ended, the audience roared its delight and from 
then on Sal was an official ``Emerald.''
  Celebrating their 25th Anniversary, the band was booked for a big 
show at the Imperial Manor. For the show, the group added John Lepore 
on keyboards and he soon became the sixth ``Emerald.'' John had a 14-
year tenure with the group until he decided to go on his own; he was 
then replaced by Joe Shamah. In 1989, Marie Fernandez joined the band 
and became the first female member of the ``Emerald Experience.'' Marie 
was a graduate of the Berkeley School of Music and took over on lead 
vocals and harmonies. After a brief stint with the band, Marie got 
married and with her husband, moved to Maryland. Replacing her on 
vocals was Sherry Piero, who had the right chemistry, personality, and 
above all, a great voice.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the members 
(past and present) of the ``Emeralds,'' and their families and friends, 
in recognizing the many outstanding and invaluable contributions the 
band has made to not only music history but to the history of New 
Jersey.

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