During Ron Dante, the early years, what were you like growing up? What was your
family situation like? What were your ambitions and goals as a youngster?
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As a kid I studied guitar after I saw Elvis on TV.
I started to sing and formed my own band at 12.
My father always sang around the house. He had a great
voice but suffered from stage fright. He and his 2
brothers would use an old tape recorder in the cellar
and sing tons of pop tunes of the day.
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What was your favorite cartoon(s) while growing up?
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My favorite cartoons was Winky Dink and Cecil and
Beanie.
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If you could be any cartoon character out there, who would you be?
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If I were to be a cartoon character I would be
The Road Runner cause he's very fast.
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When did you get started making music and when was your first musical debut?
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I started writing songs at about 13 and had my
musical debut at the CYO center in Staten Island when
I was 14.
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How did the singing job for the Archies shows come about?
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I auditioned for the Archies at the RCA studios in
New York City in 1968 sometime.
Jeff Barry and Don Kirshner were looking for the voice
of Archie to sing all the songs they were writing for
the CBS tv show due that fall.
Kirshner instantly wanted me to be the voice but Jeff
took some convincing. After I sang a few songs for him
he agreed with Donnie that I was the voice.
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Did you do ever single Archies show, including US of Archie, etc.?
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I sang for 3 Archie seasons but didn't sing for the
US of Archie shows.
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Who was your favorite: Betty or Veronica?
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Veronica
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Throughout all the different shows, there has been tons of songs, each that were
written for the particular series. Who wrote the music for the shows?
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Jeff Barry wrote many of the Archie songs some with
Andy Kim..Sugar,Sugar..Jingle,Jangle.. The other
writers were myself, Gene Allan, Mark Barkan and
Ritchie Adams.
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I noticed that you tour now with other bands and still sing those great songs.
When did you start touring around? Is it worldwide, or just the US?
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I have started performing again just in the past few
years.
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Do you have a family of your own? Do they travel with you while you do your shows?
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I am single and travel alone.
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Throughout your musical career, who did you enjoy working with the most and why?
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My favorite artists I have worked with are.
1. Barry Manilow. Great professional in the studio.
2. Cher. Wonderful person, great star and easy to work with.
3. John Denver.. Beautiful human being. Strong singer/songwriter.
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If there was anyone out there that you wish you could work with, who would it be?
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People I would like to work with.
1. The Boss
2. The Stones
3. Barbra Steisand
4. Whitney Houston
5. Celine Dionne
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Do you perform new material, or stick to the classics?
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I stick to the classics when I sing live.
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Out of everything you have done in life, what was your greatest achievement?
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The year I produced the Grammy award winning
CopaCabana for Manilow and won the Tony for producing
Ain't Misbehavin on Broadway.
Second to that was the time Sugar,Sugar went number
one.
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A great talent of the ages. We are thrilled at being able to interview such a legend. We
hope all his future wishes come true and that his music lives on forever (which it will!)
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