Rick Allen

Rick grew up in the hamlet of Deer Park on Long Island. His earliest recollections of music are of listening to 45-rpm records of the Rogers and Hammerstein classics Carousel, Oklahoma and the King and I. By singing along with these show tunes he began to develop an interest in vocal performance.

During the early 60’s, Rick was influenced by his parent’s Ruth and Frank’s love of pop music as he listened along to such pop vocal greats as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Tony Bennett, Ray Charles and Robert Goulet. who would appear on popular TV shows as Nat King Cole, Mitch Miller, and of course Ed Sullivan. It was during these years that he developed a profound interest in the singing style of the crooners and was fascinated with the delivery and the ease with which they sang.

Along with his brother Bruce and sister Nancy, Rick also began singing in the school choir. As a teen he heard his brother and some friends singing doo wap and oldies incorporating acapella harmonies and became hooked. He and his friends would sing on street corners and in doorways by the old elementary school emulating the sound of the Drifters and other groups.

Rick’s vocal talents were further expanded when at the urging of his older brother Bruce, an accomplished tenor, he was persuaded to join the ensemble of Long Island’s Opera on the Sound. From there he went on to numerous performances as the Principal Baritone in the Deer Park Community Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir and dabbled in Musical theatre at the Cultural Arts Playhouse. His most recent performance was with the regionally acclaimed Huntington Cabaret Singers.

Rick has always maintained a love for all the music that influenced him through his life, and now performs in a style that offers tribute to those legendary vocal artists. With his smooth melodic vocal performances Rick continues to impress audiences with his unique style. His repertoire includes contemporary songs, show tunes, ballads and songs from that classic era in which he was inspired. It has been said that Ricks Shows give his audience a special feeling and excitement that takes them back to the elegance and nostalgic aura of the Copacabana.