On a balmy June day in 1959, Hushabye, recorded by The Mystics, played on the radio for the first time, and life would never be the same for five teenage singers from the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn, New York.
Spending 16 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaking at #20, The Mystics’ hit record “Hushabye” was a doo-wop sensation. However, the story behind the song, and the Mystics themselves, has never been shared – until now.
“Everyone says they wanted to write the book, I actually did,” says founding Mystics member, Al Contrera.
Contrera looks back on his time in the music industry and the song that made his doo-wop group famous in his newly released book, Hushabye: The Mystics, the Music, and the Mob.”
“I knew the minute I heard Hushabye that it was going to be a hit,” Contrera remembers. “I had no idea that it would become “The Lullaby of the 50’s,” he said.
Today, nearly six decades later, Hushabye still evokes powerful memories. “Everywhere I go, people tell me that they can remember events in their lives that are connected to the song.”
Jersey Has The Four Seasons, The Mystics Belong to Brooklyn
The action-packed book tells the true story of how five teenage friends from Brooklyn formed a street corner a cappella group in 1957 and became successful recording artists.
“Having a hit song was amazing and a fantastic experience. I felt like I was on the top of the world,” Contrera recalls.
Inside the book’s detailed rich, 234 pages, Contrera reflects on the Mystics’ successes, disappointments and heartbreaks, as well as how the group helped other celebrities launch careers in the music industry.
The story centers on the five Mystics – Al Contrera, Phil Cracolici, Albee Cracolici, Bob Ferrante and George Galfo – and is a tale of redemption. Contrera describes a group of misguided teenagers “heading in the wrong direction” who were ultimately saved by their friendship and shared passion for music.
“No one in our families were involved in music. They endured us rehearsing. We never realized that it would become something,” Contrera said.
Contrera hopes readers interested in the nostalgic period from 1950’s and 60’s will find Hushabye: The Mystics, the Music, and the Mob particularly fascinating, as it offers insights into the music industry during the era. Beyond that, the story shares a timeless message.
“Readers should take away the fact that it is possible for anyone to succeed in anything as long as you work hard and aren’t afraid to take a chance.”
Hushabye: The Mystics, the Music, and the Mob is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. [Click the picture for more]
Hushabye: The Mystics, the Music, and the Mob”
By Al Contrera
Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 234 pages | ISBN 9781982200299
Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 234 pages | ISBN 9781982200275
E-Book | 234 pages | ISBN 9781982200282
Available at
About the Author
Al Contrera is an original member of the Mystics and continues to entertain audiences around the country with the Classics, the Mystics and the Brooklyn Reunion. During his career as a mechanical engineer, he worked on projects from New York City to Cairo and is currently working in New York City. Contrera has two daughters, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and lives in New York City and New Jersey.
Hushabye (lyrics)
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Hush hush
Hushabye
Hushabye
Hushabye
Oh my darlin’ don’t you cry
Guardian angels up above
Take care of the one I love
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Hush hush
Hushabye
Oo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
Hush hush
Hushabye
Oooo oooo oooo oooo
Lullabye and goodnight
In your dreams I hold you tight
Lullabye and goodnight
Til the dawn’s early light
Pillows lying on your bed
Oh my darling rest your head
Sandman will be coming soon
Singing you a slumber tune
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Hush
Hush
Hushabye
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Hush
Hush
Hushabye
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Oo ooo oooo oooo ooo ooo ooo
Ah ah ah ah
