BQE

Vocal group B.Q.E. (short for Brooklyn Queens Expressway) formed in Glen Oaks, Queens, New York, USA, during 1985, and attempted to trace the a cappella and doo-wop sounds of their 60s antecedents. Angelo Termini (tenor), Jason Lemaro (tenor), Luther Rucker (baritone) and Jerry Pilgrim (tenor) all shared lead status, with Les Levine on bass. The band was signed to Starlight Records by Bob Kretchmar after he heard their live version of the Tokens’ ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ on a local radio station. Their debut release paired the Coasters’ ‘Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart’ with the Mello-Kings’ ‘Tonight Tonight’. ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ was revived to head their second release, backed with Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’. Their interpretations of the hits of yesteryear continued with their third single, pairing ‘Tonight (Could Be The Night)’ with ‘I Love You’, cover versions of the Velvets and Volumes, respectively.

"BQE, originated in the early 1980's as a NYC quintet with 3 members from Brooklyn, and two from Queens. The named initials BQE actually stood for The Brooklyn Queens Express and not the notorious Expressway, as most believed. The Group recorded on eight compilation CD's for Bob Kretzschmar's "Starlight Serenade" Label, A Best Of BQE CD for Collectables and The Clifton Music Compilation CD "Christmas In Harmony" for Ronnie Italiano's "Clifton Music" label. It was the BQE cut of "Count Down To Love" that was picked by "Rhino" records to go on the A cappella Disc of the 4 CD "DooWop Vol 3" BoxÊSet. The group was a premier vocal group of its time, as stated in The Jay Warner "Billboard's Book Of American Singing groups, the 1940's through the 1990's". Pictured above from Left to Right: Jerry Pilgrim, Dennis Kestenbaum, Jason Levine, Les Levine (seated).

Be Sure My Love
Pretty Little Angel Eyes
Sherry
The Wanderer
I Love You
My Prayer
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Countdown To Love
What Time Is It?
Tonight I Fell In Love
Chain Gang / Cupid
Tonight Could Be The Night
Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart
I Count The Tears
Teardrops
Have You Heard
Naturally
Please Be My Girlfriend
The Way You Do The Things You Do
The Lion Sleeps Tonight