I would especially like to dedicate this website to all of my many childhood friends. When I first moved to New Jersey I moved to Centre City, Mantua NJ.











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Mike was born on January 19th, 1952. He was one of 7 children to Angelo & Catherine Volpe.

The Volpe's were a musical Family. His mother played saxophone & his father played the trumpet. His father was a chauffeur to the stars. He chaffered everyone from Johnny Mathis to Tony Bennett. He was also the American chauffeur to the touring Beatles on their east coast concerts in 1964 & 1965. Angelo also worked exclusively for Mike Douglas (The Mike Douglass show from 1965-1968. as Mike's private chauffeur.
Mike was born in Philadelphia PA. & moved to NJ in 1962. Mike & his brother Chop started out as a duo act in 1965. They then joined forces with Jim Lyons & Mark Morley to form their first band.

First Band

The New Bells: 1965 - 1968 Band Members: Mike Volpe - Lead Vocals & Guitar, Chop Volpe - Vocals & Bass Guitar, Jim Lyons - Lead Guitar, Mark Morley - Drums & Henry Wilhelim (Deceased) - Guitar & Vocals.

Other members were: Jack Wald - Vocals, the late Mike Alblaster - Guitar & Mike Morley - Keyboards

Their founder Baisel Vespe became their manager & opened for such acts as: Billy Harner, The Dreamlovers, The Volcano's ect.

Mike (right) 13 years old & Chop(left) 11 years old started performing at a very young age. There first performance dates back to when they were 7 & 8 years old.

Second Band

Stone Eagle: 1969 - 1972 Band Members: Mike Volpe - Lead Vocals, Guitar & Piano, Chop Volpe - Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar, Denny Dorsey - Vocals & Lead Guitar, Gary Campanell - Vocals & Guitar, Gene Laczinsky - Organ & John Frasca - Drums. Other former members of the band were: Fran Smith from (The Hooter's)
Bill Killoran from (Flaming Caucasions).

In 1969 Mike & Chop formed their 2nd group The Stone Eagle. This band was managed by Ed Bonnette & opened for such acts as: Edgar Winter, Bonnie Raitt, Mott the Hoople, The Chambers Brothers & Foghat.

The 1969 Stone Eagle Band (Click picture for larger print)


Volpe Duo Again

Volpe Duo: 1972 - 1975 Mike and Chop started up their Duo act again in 1972. They performed at all the major Coffee Houses in the Delaware Valley. They worked with Jim Croce in 1972.

Dancing Bear

Dancing Bear: 1975 Mike Volpe - Lead Vocals & Guitar, Gary Campanell - Lead Vocals & Guitar, Fran Smith - Lead Vocals & Bass Guitar, Bill Killoran - Keyboards, Denny Dorsey - Vocals & Lead Guitar & Ray Guifole - Drummer. This band performed for approximately 7 months. Mike left to form Abbey Rhode with his brothers.

Abbey Rhode

Abbey Rhode: 1975 - 1979 Mike formed the band with his brothers Ron & Chop. The band started out being called Pleasure but with the addition of vocalist & guitar great Terry Lowe from Hammonton, NJ The band changed their name to Abbey Rhode. Abbey Rhode was a Beatles Tribute Band the first Tribute band ever of national recognition. They were billed as the best Beatles tribute band worldwide.

In 1976 Mark Lapidos a NY an investor who worked with Broadway & was the Chairmen of Sam Goody, discovered Abbey Rhode. Mark booked the band on sell out shows nationally coast to coast. He was president of the "National Beatlefest Conventions.

When Abbey Rhode wasn't touring they were the house band for the Deptford Tavern. In 1977 Terry left the band and was replaced by the youngest Volpe brother Steve. The bands final shows were held in Hollywood, CA & Atlanta, GA. The band split up in 1980.



Abbey Rhode on the crest of a national Tour Top Row: Ron Volpe, Terry Lowe Bottom Row: Chop Volpe, Mike Volpe

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