TheSatellites

Ronnie and The Satellites formed as a group in late 1958. The band practiced at a local Rhode Island park in an outdoor gazebo, which created a natural "echo" effect and enhanced the sound. Less than a year later, "Last Night I Dreamed" was recorded at Ace Recording Studios in Boston, Mass., in May of 1959, and followed up in the fall of 1960 with "Blue Moon" and "Bunny Lee," also recorded at Ace Recording Studios. "Last Night I Dreamed" was a No. 1 record in Turkey. The owner of the record label had a son in the U.S. Air Force stationed in Turkey who promoted the record to a No. 1 hit. Ronnie and The Satellites performed with local and national groups of the '50s and '60s, which included Connie Francis, Dion and The Belmonts, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, Link Rae and The Raymen, The Dimensions (big hit with "Over the Rainbow"), The Skyliners, The Platters, The Videls and many other stars of that era. The group frequently appeared on all the New England TV "dance parties" (similar to American Bandstand) with DJ hosts Paul James, Jack Spector, Dave Sennet and others. Appearing at two or three high school dances and other venues in the same night was a way of life for the Satellites. Ronnie and The Satellites also traveled with a 5-piece backup band (sometimes more) and usually had a total of ten or twelve musicians on stage. After three successful years, the group disbanded in 1963. Lead singer Ronnie Dee continued, as he is today, performing in the New England area.