Local doo-wop band entertains residents at Ashbridge Manor

On July 7, residents of Ashbridge Manor in East Cain Township, Chester County, were transported back in time to the 1950s and ‘60s by The Red Satins, a group of locally-based vocalists specializing in the doo-wop sounds made famous in that era.

“Like many Ashbridge residents, we spent our teen years and 20s listening to artists like Frankie Avalon, the Drifters, Dion & the Belmonts and The Temptations,” said John O’Donnell, Red Satins manager and band member. “Those artists recorded the popular songs that formed the soundtrack of our lives, and for more than a decade now, we’ve been recreating that music for audiences across Chester County and beyond.”

O’Donnell and the other six members of The Red Satins are all in their 60s and 70s. All live in the Downingtown-Coatesville area. And all are members of the parish choir at Downingtown-based St. Joseph Catholic Church.

“When we go on stage, we live for the moment when smiles light up the faces of audience members as our harmonies take them back to their youth,” said O’Donnell, whose group’s show featured more than 30 golden oldies well-known by their audience. “For us, it’s all about helping people have fun. And when we see those smiles, we have fun, too.”

Sophia Llopiz, activities director at Ashbridge Manor, said The Red Satins are a fan favorite at her community, where they’ve performed at least eight or nine times in recent years.

“Our residents love the Satins’ music,” Llopiz said. “We always get a great turnout when they appear.”

In addition to Ashbridge Manor, The Red Satins have performed at several other 55+ communities in the county, including Freedom Village, Simpson Meadows and Spring Run Estates, along with other venues such as Coatesville Country Club, St. Anthony’s Restaurant in Downingtown and the Merrill Lynch office in Exton.

The group is also performing this month at Hershey’s Mill Villages & Golf Club in West Chester, and they look forward to booking more engagements now that large gatherings previously prohibited by COVID-19 restrictions are once again permitted.

Visit The Red Satins’ Facebook page to learn more about the group and get a sampling of their singing style.

COURTESY OF THE RED SATINS Members of The Red Satins perform a 1950s doo-wop number for residents of Ashbridge Manor Senior Living in East Cain Township, Chester County, on July 7. From left are John Bullock, Bill Shirley, Jeff Stevens, Rich Carbo and Ray Walsh. Other members not shown are John O’Donnell and Dan Ziobro.