The Crests were one of the first American doo-wop groups formed in the mid 1950s by J.T. Carter, a bass vocalist. They are one of the earliest interracial vocal ensembles in the history of America, as the group consisted of African American, Puerto Rican and Italian American individuals. The original lineup of the group was J.T. Carter, Harold ‘Chico’ Torres, Patricia Van Dross (sister of the famous singer, Luther Vandross), Tommy Gough, and Johnny Mastrangelo, who later changed his stage name to Johnny Maestro. Their rich blend of jarring diversity and strong, tightly-knit vocal harmonies, coupled with deeply emotional lyrics helped make headway through racial barriers within the music industry, which at the time was heavily segregated.
The Crests were discovered in 1956 while performing in subway stations in New York City , after which they were taken to Joyce Records by Al Browne’s wife, who was the leader of an orchestra. The Crests were already recording songs like “My Juanita” and “Sweetest One” and these songs helped set the stage for the group’s later accomplishments. However, their smash hit “16 Candles” released in 1958 while signed to Coed Records was the turning point in their career, propelling them to stardom. It peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, sold over a million copies, and became a standard reference point for doo-wop music. “16 Candles” remains their most cherished song, and decades later went on to inspire the title of a famous 1984 John Hughes film ‘Sixteen Candles’.
After “16 Candles,” The Crests were still actively charting with “Six Nights a Week,” “The Angels Listened In,” and “Step By Step.” They were regular performers on American Bandstand and The Dick Clark Show, two popular shows on television for teens at the time, which built their appeal outside of the music industry. While retaining their popularity, they began facing changes Patricia Van Dross, which left in 1958. By 1961, the lead singer started performing under “Johnny Maestro & The Crests,” recording with other backup singers.
With all these changes, J.T. Cater was the only original member left, and led the group into the 70’s to keep them active. Ancrum took the mantle as the lead vocalist. The group’s notoriety fell as newer styles took center stage. Although greatly diminished, The Crests recorded and toured across the country. Johnny formed The Brooklyn Bridge and was able to find fame in 1969 with “The Worst That Could Happen.”
Carter kept reinventing The Crests over the years, and even led a major reboot in the 80s. Carter produced a version of the group which included his wife Leona Carter, and they toured the world together where she performed on keyboards.
They were featured in major PBS specials such as Doo Wop Generations. He later organized the groups J.T. Carter’s Crests which performed into the 2010s.
Carter received multiple awards pertaining to his music work. He was recognized from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and The Recording Academy. It is widely accepted that he was the first African American to create an interracial doo-wop group in America. His perseverance made sure the Crests’ name endured for over six decades.
The Crests went through multiple cycles of dissolution and reformation. Tragically, Carter was the last surviving original member, with the rest passing between 1993 and 2024. Doo Wop lost one of its historically significant and enduring groups on April 5, 2025 when Carter passed at the age of 83.
Contents
Top Songs
- 16 Candles – Their signature hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959.
- Step By Step – A top 20 hit that showcased their polished harmonies.
- The Angels Listened In – A fan favorite with rich backing vocals and romantic lyrics.
- Trouble In Paradise – A smooth, nostalgic ballad that resonated with many.
- Six Nights A Week – Another charting hit, reached #28 on the Hot 100.
- A Year Ago Tonight – A reflective ballad and moderate chart success.
- Model Girl – Their last major hit, a doo-wop gem from 1961.
Discography (Selected Singles)
| Title | Year | US Hot 100 | US R&B | CAN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetest One / My Juanita | 1957 | 86 | – | – | First chart appearance |
| 16 Candles / Beside You | 1958 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Million-seller, biggest hit |
| Six Nights A Week / I Do | 1959 | 28 | 17 | 24 | Follow-up success |
| The Angels Listened In | 1959 | 22 | 14 | 6 | Continued chart presence |
| Step By Step | 1960 | 14 | – | 12 | One of their finest uptempo tracks |
| Trouble In Paradise | 1960 | 20 | – | 11 | Another top 20 hit |
| Model Girl | 1961 | 20 | – | – | Last top 40 charting single |
Top Albums
While The Crests were primarily a singles group (as was common in the 1950s), their music has been preserved in numerous compilation albums:
- The Best of The Crests: 16 Candles (1993, Rhino) – A definitive greatest hits collection.
- 16 Candles – Their Very Best (Collectables Records) – Includes remastered versions of all major hits.
- From The Vault: The Coed Records Lost Master Tapes (2011) – Includes the rediscovered “The Great Physician”.
Awards & Recognition
- UGHA Hall of Fame – Inducted in 2000.
- Vocal Group Hall of Fame – Inducted in 2004.
- Doo Wop Hall of Fame – Inducted in 2008.
- Doo Wop Music Hall of Fame – Inducted in 2015.
- Congressional Record Recognition – Johnny Maestro and The Crests recognized in 2012 by Rep. Jerrold Nadler.
- Pennsylvania State House Recognition – J.T. Carter honored in 2013 for being the first African American to form an interracial vocal group.
- Lehigh Valley Music Awards – Carter received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
- Delaware State Senate and Governor’s Tribute – Honored as “Rock-n-Roll Royalty” in 2016.
The Crests Singles List
| Title (A-side / B-side) | Year | US Hot 100 | US R&B | CAN | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sweetest One / My Juanita | 1957 | 86 | – | – | First single on Joyce Records |
| No One To Love / Wish She Was Mine | 1957 | – | – | – | Recorded May 22, 1957 |
| Pretty Little Angel / I Thank The Moon | 1958 | – | – | – | First Coed Records release |
| 16 Candles / Beside You | 1958 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Signature hit, million-seller |
| Six Nights A Week / I Do | 1959 | 28 | 17 | 24 | Strong follow-up to “16 Candles” |
| Flower Of Love / Molly Mae | 1959 | 79 | – | – | Less successful chart entry |
| The Angels Listened In / I Thank The Moon | 1959 | 22 | 14 | 6 | Popular doo-wop ballad |
| A Year Ago Tonight / Paper Crown | 1959 | 42 | – | – | Mellow nostalgic tune |
| Step By Step / Gee (But I’d Give The World) | 1960 | 14 | – | 12 | Uptempo and catchy |
| Trouble In Paradise / Always You | 1960 | 20 | – | 11 | Mid-tempo love song |
| Journey Of Love / If My Heart Could Write A Letter | 1960 | 81 | – | – | Lesser-known single |
| Isn’t It Amazing / Molly Mae | 1960 | 100 | – | – | Charted low |
| I’ll Remember (In The Still Of The Night) / Good Golly Miss Molly | 1960 | – | – | – | Cover versions |
| Say It Isn’t So / The Great Physician | 1960 | – | – | – | Maestro solo under “Johnny Masters” |
| Model Girl / We’ve Got To Tell Them | 1961 | 20 | – | – | One of their last Top 40 hits |
| What A Surprise / The Warning Voice | 1961 | 33 | – | – | Late-era Crests material |
| Little Miracles / Baby I Gotta’ Know | 1961 | – | – | – | Tony Middleton on lead |
| The Actor / Three Tears In A Bucket | 1962 | – | – | – | James Ancrum on lead |
| Guilty / Number One With Me | 1962 | – | – | – | Lead: James Ancrum |
| Did I Remember / Tears Will Fall | 1963 | – | – | – | Did not chart |
| A Love To Last A Lifetime / You Blew Out The Candles | 1964 | – | – | – | Sequel to “16 Candles” |