Marsha 2854 posts Mar 16, 2010 1:48 AM	Of the sister groups on American Bandstand, the Beltrante Sisters were the ones I really followed the most. I particularly thought a lot of Rosalie Beltrante--how smooth she danced and how very sophisticated she was. I felt she must have all the boys wanting to dance with her. I liked her skirt and sweaters with the big wide belts. Her posture was so good -- and that stood out in my memory. I can't remember all her dance partners, but handsome Nino Bambino was one. I think Nino's smile was one of the best on the show! I think I saw her dance with Frank Brancaccio as well and most likely Frankie Lobis as Frankie danced with so many of the most popular Regulars. Frank Brancaccio always seemed so serious on the show. I remember watching Mary Beltrante dance the fast dances. She was very energetic and danced a lot with Mike Balara. She danced with Steve Caponero as well. My main memory of Susie Beltrante was her shyness and her cute curly short hair with Christmas ribbons. She seemed taller to me than most of the Regulars. Although the Beltrante sisters danced on the show a lot and oftentimes the same day, I don't recall a lot of interaction among them on the show or dance floor. Does anyone else remember it that way? My feeling was that had we not been told they were sisters, we might not have realized it at all. That seemed so different from the Jimenez Sisters, who did seem to interact a lot together on the show. Last Edited on 16-Mar-2010 1:55 AM
Nina 243 posts Mar 16, 2010 8:20 AM	I agree with you Marsha, the Beltrante Sisters did not interact very much on the show...I too focused on Rosalie Beltrante, she projected a very sophisticated and calm composure and looked great in anything she wore...I remember Rosalie dancing with Frank Brancaccio, I remember thinking if they were a couple...I also remember her with Nino Bambino and some of the other popular Regulars. I must agree with Marsha about Susie, she seem to be very shy, she was really cute, and as for Mary I thought of her spunky and cheerful...they were interesting to watch...hope they're all doing great today.
jimmy 21 posts Mar 16, 2010 9:35 AM	HI Marsha/Nina....Its funny you should mention Rosalie and her sisters when I just got off the phone with Rosalie. Rosalie and I speak often and I was at her condo in Florida on Nov 11 to the 15th. Don't forget she was at my daughters wedding. Rosalie and her husband Peter are doing fine and I will pass on your best wishes. they are close friends of mine and I visit them at least once or twice a year for the past 7yrs. getting together with them is a lot of fun and we enjoy it. as far as Susan Beltrante is concerned,I believe Roe said she is in upstate NY and Mary is in NJ. I, myself have not seen or spoken with them for some time, but Roe and I always do. Frankie Levins and I had dinner with Nino and his wife Diane a few months ago and he was fine and in Pennsylvania. Last Edited on 16-Mar-2010 9:37 AM
Pat H. 13793 posts Mar 16, 2010 4:57 PM	Out of the 3 sisters, I remember Ro the most. She was very pretty and had this quiet charm about her. Always smiling very friendly...I loved her clothes. I remember her dancing mostly with Nino Bambino.
Sara J 1 post Mar 16, 2010 5:59 PM	I went to Philly to visit my cousins in the summer of 1958. I was 11 and going to turn 12 in 2 months. Of course, I lied and pretended to be 14 to get into the studio. Susie was 13 and said I had to be her age. Of course, I denied it. Susie and I started talking in the stands. She was a lot of fun and the kind of friend I would have had back home. The older regulars were much more grown up sophisticated than I was. After the show, I started running down the street to Pop Singer's with Susie. My mom sat in the studio waiting for me, and Mom was running down the street yelling my name, which I ignored. When I got to Pop's, I started talking to Arlene and Barbara. I looked a lot like Barabara, so they called me "Barbara's little sister." I only got to go back to Pop's one more time. The kids were very nice to me. I think they thought that it was cool that I lived in Texas. If I hadn't been staying at my cousins house in the suburbs, I would have gotten to go to AB more times. I did write to many regulars for many years after my visit. It was a very memorable time for me.
Marsha 2922 posts May 08, 2010 11:18 PM	Hi Sara J...just got to read your posting about Susie Beltrante. That must have been fun to meet her and get to know her. Thanks for sharing your experience at American Bandstand.
janie78 4 posts May 17, 2010 7:30 PM	I remember the Beltrante sisters so well. I liked them all,but Mary was my favorite, I wrote to her once and received the sweetest letter. I think Mary and Steve Colandero were an item at one time.