Nicky Addeo, iconic Asbury Park singer and pioneer of the Sound of Asbury Park music, passed June 6, 2026. Nicky was what Jersey Shore R&B and Doo Wop vocal harmony was all about.

Born in Newark, he moved with his family to Asbury Park in 1955. It was there that Nicky first became aware of Black music – especially R&B. Living on the street at the age of 16, Nicky soon found himself harmonizing with many of the city’s young Black vocalists in the hallways of the Boston Way projects. He also connected with the Darchaes and when Ray Dahrouge left for college, Nicky became their lead singer. Buzzy Lubinsky first recorded Nicky leading the Darchaes on “Gloria.” A chance meeting with the Plainfield group, the Plazas on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk led to Nicky recording “A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening” with them.

Stormin’ Norman Seldin was booking the Uniques when Billy Brown left the group. Norman picked Nicky Addeo to lead the Uniques, making them one of the first Jersey Shore integrated groups. Norman recorded Nicky Addeo & the Uniques on “Over The Rainbow,” a true masterpiece of group harmony.

Nicky’s contributions to Shore music were far from over at that point. He continued singing with numerous groups as well as performing solo. Nicky’s music career established him as one of the true pioneers of the Sound of Asbury Park. Nicky Addeo’s career will be celebrated in the coming Asbury Park Museum, opening in 2027 at 1200 Springwood Avenue. His legacy will be covered in detail in the forthcoming book, “Springwood Avenue Harmony, Vol. 2”