Tommy Petillo’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million as of 2026. This figure reflects earnings from a five-decade music career as lead singer of The Duprees, business ownership, and a 25-year career in public service.
Who Is Tommy Petillo?
Thomas Salvatore Petillo was born in 1950 in Newark’s Ironbound section to Caroline and David Petillo, second-generation Italian Americans from Naples. He grew up in a music-filled household and attended Wilson Avenue School through seventh grade before his family moved to Nutley in 1964.
Petillo graduated from Nutley High School in 1969 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving honourably in the Military Police, attached to the 267th Ordnance, in Naha, Okinawa, until 1972. His military service reflects a pattern of public duty that would continue throughout his life.
He is best known as the lead singer of The Duprees, the legendary vocal group famous for romantic classics like “You Belong to Me” and “Have You Heard”. In November 2025, Petillo was inducted into the Nutley Hall of Fame, recognising his contributions to music and his community.
Early Music Career and Breakthrough
Petillo’s passion for music began early. In 1972, he formed the group Parkway, performing throughout New Jersey until 1977. This five-year period gave him valuable stage experience and connections in the regional music scene.
His big break came in 1978 when he was invited to become lead singer of The Duprees. The group had already achieved fame in the early 1960s with multiple top 40 hits, including “You Belong to Me” (Pop Chart #7 in 1962) and “My Own True Love”. Petillo’s voice and charisma revitalised the group, beginning a decades-long career that continues today.
The Duprees: History and Legacy
The Duprees were founded in the early 1960s in Jersey City, New Jersey, by students from William L. Dickinson High School, including Michael Arnone, Joe Santollo, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, and lead singer Joey Canzano (later known as Joey Vann). George Paxton, a former big band leader, signed them to his Coed Records label after being impressed by their style.
The group’s first single “You Belong to Me” had been a hit for Jo Stafford in 1952, but the Duprees’ version reached #7 on the Billboard Pop Chart in 1962. The group achieved six top 40 songs during their peak years, including “My Own True Love” (1962), “Ginny” (1962), “Have You Heard” (1963), and “Gone with the Wind” (#89 in 1963).
The original Duprees (Joey Vann Canzano, Mike Kelly, John Salvato, Tom Bialoglow, Joe Santollo, and Mike Arnone) were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006.
Petillo’s Tenure with The Duprees
Petillo’s relationship with The Duprees has spanned multiple periods. He first joined as lead singer in 1978, replacing Mike Kelly, who had led the group from 1965 to 1978. The original group members of John Salvato, Mike Arnone, and Joe Santollo performed their last live show with Petillo on lead for New Year’s 1979.
Petillo performed with John Salvato’s group from 1984 to 1986 before returning to the Mike Arnone-led Duprees in 2001. He has remained with the group to the present day, performing with Phil Granito (with the group since 1987), Jimmy Spinelli (joined in 1989), and currently Shawn Stevens.
His combined tenure as lead singer of The Duprees exceeds 25 years across multiple periods, making him one of the longest-serving lead vocalists in the group’s history.
Income Sources Breakdown
Music Career with The Duprees
Petillo’s income from music includes live performances, touring revenue, royalties from recordings and licensing, and merchandise sales. The Duprees have released 9 CDs and 1 DVD, including the 2016 album “Sinatra”. Their catalogue continues to generate royalties through streaming platforms and licensing for film and television.
Business Ventures: American Walcraft
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Petillo balanced his musical career with professional work in the painting industry. He served as a foreman and estimator for A-Del Painting before becoming president and owner of American Walcraft, a company specialising in commercial and industrial wallcoverings.
Business ownership provided a separate income stream that stabilised his finances and diversified his earnings beyond music performance.
Public Service Career
In 1995, Petillo joined the Township of Nutley Department of Public Works, where he worked for 25 years until his retirement in 2020. This position provided stable, salaried income with government benefits, including a pension. In 1997, he graduated from fire school and became a Nutley volunteer firefighter, serving his community alongside his other professional roles.
Other Ventures
Petillo has expanded his presence in the entertainment industry beyond performing. He founded the East Coast Music Hall of Fame, served as host of the television show “Jersey Spotlight,” and authored “We Need More Love Songs,” which chronicles his celebrated career in the music industry.
Year-Based Net Worth Growth
| Year | Estimated Net Worth | Key Events |
| 1970s–1980s | Under $100,000 | Early music career with Parkway and first Duprees tenure |
| 1990s | $200,000–$500,000 | Business ownership, public service career begins |
| 2000s | $500,000–$1 million | Returns to Duprees, steady performance income |
| 2010s | $1–$2 million | Music income stable, public service pension builds |
| 2020–2026 | $1–$5 million | Retirement, Hall of Fame induction, ongoing royalties |
Asset Breakdown and Real Estate
Public records and property valuations in Nutley, New Jersey, suggest Petillo owns real estate assets in the region. Nutley property values have appreciated steadily over the past two decades, contributing to his net worth. A long-term homeowner in northern New Jersey typically holds significant equity.
His assets likely include a primary residence in Nutley, New Jersey, retirement savings and pension from 25 years of public service, business assets from American Walcraft, and royalty rights tied to The Duprees’ catalogue.
Nutley Hall of Fame Induction
In November 2025, Tommy Petillo was inducted into the Nutley Hall of Fame alongside seven other distinguished individuals. The induction ceremony took place at the Nutley Public Library on November 23, 2025, marking the 11th biennial induction.
Commissioner Joseph P. Scarpelli noted at the ceremony: “It always amazes me the talented people who have lived in our town. They have made their mark on the world, and they all acknowledge how Nutley had a positive influence on them.” The recognition acknowledged Petillo’s extraordinary dual career in public service and music, spanning more than five decades.
Financial Comparisons
Petillo’s net worth is comparable to other legacy performers who maintained non-music careers across multiple decades.
Similar to Kenny Loggins, whose net worth is estimated at $15–25 million, Petillo built wealth through consistent income across multiple sectors rather than one large payday.
Unlike contemporary social media figures like Hasbulla Magomedov, whose net worth is estimated at $1–4 million, Petillo’s wealth comes from decades of steady work rather than a viral moment.
His financial trajectory also differs from entrepreneurs like Matthew Schissler, whose net worth is estimated at $5–15 million from biotech and private equity — a reminder that Petillo’s path to financial stability ran through performance stages, government employment, and community service rather than corporate deal-making.
Future Outlook
At this stage of his career, Petillo continues to perform with The Duprees, generating ongoing performance income and maintaining his presence in the entertainment industry. His public service pension provides a stable base, while royalties from the group’s catalogue continue to contribute.
His 2025 Hall of Fame induction has increased public visibility, potentially leading to more performance bookings and speaking engagements. Petillo’s authorship of “We Need More Love Songs” and his media ventures, including “Jersey Spotlight,” provide additional revenue streams that may grow as his legacy receives renewed attention.
Conclusion
Tommy Petillo’s estimated net worth of $1–5 million reflects a career built on musical excellence, business ownership, and public service. Unlike entertainers who rely on single-income streams, Petillo diversified across performance, entrepreneurship, and municipal employment.
His story demonstrates that wealth in the entertainment industry does not always require superstardom. Consistent work across multiple fields, combined with prudent financial management, can build a stable and lasting net worth. For fans of The Duprees and classic vocal harmony groups, Petillo remains a respected figure whose financial profile is as solid as his vocal legacy.
