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Hey Cousins!
Our guest this week is – JOEY DEE. – born in Passaic, New Jersey (1940).
He began his musical journey at a young age, teaching himself to play the harmonica and singing in his local church choir. His love for music deepened during high school, where he mastered the clarinet and organized his own band to perform at local events.
Joey’s career took off when he formed Joey Dee and the Starliters and performed at a small club on 45th Street in New York City. The Peppermint Lounge became the epicenter of the Twist dance craze.
Celebrities like Judy Garland, Jackie Kennedy, and John Wayne flocked to the venue, creating media frenzy and skyrocketing its popularity. The lines of fans waiting to get unto into the Peppermint Lounge stretched around whole City blocks. The media frenzy did its magic and Joey Dee and The Starliters became International sensations.
Inspired by the lounge’s success, Joey Dee co-wrote “Peppermint Twist,” which became a #1 hit in early 1962 and sold over a million copies. The song was featured in the film “Hey, Let’s Twist”, and cemented its place in pop culture.
The Peppermint Lounge’s fame marked the beginning of social Rock & Roll nightlife and solidified Joey Dee’s legacy as a leader of the Twist movement.
Let’s welcome JOEY DEE to our show this Saturday 3/29/25.
