Author Biography

 

Tom Austin is the son of Al Austin whom you have read about in this book.  After studying show drumming with the Riviera drummer Erwin Russo, as a teenager he teamed up with Bob Gaudio of Four Seasons and Jersey Boys fame to start their own band called the Royal Teens. The Royal Teens charted several major hits the most famous being “Short Shorts” and “Believe Me” written by Austin and Gaudio.

 

As a youth Tom’s Dad, a security officer at the Riviera would take Tom on Tuesdays to watch shows featuring Sinatra, Tony Martin, Vic Damone and all the other great stars of that era.

 

Tom went on to become an accomplished drummer plus and fine artist with his paintings in the permanent collection of the United States Coast Guard in Washington, DC. In addition for the past 45 years he has owned and operated his own Real Estate and Appraisal Company.  In 2011 he received the Status of Realtor Emeritus. In 2015 he was inducted into the New Jersey Doo Wop Hall of Fame. His memorabilia is on display in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

 

As an author Tom’s first non-fiction book Bill Miller’s Riviera, America’s Showplace is currently available for purchase as a combo with his latest Bridge to the Riviera historical novel.