The Italian word a capella means unaccompanied — but the vocal harmonies of The Nylons are all but alone.

For the past 18 years, The Nylons have experienced success, breakups and new beginnings — together.

Rising through the theater community in 1979, the original members — Paul Cooper, Marc Connors and Claude Morrison — were discovered by a nightclub owner.

As the three began to perform their a capella and a classical doo wop sound, they met Arnold Robinson and inducted him into the group.

Although a capella is not usually found in the Top 40, The Nylons became serious competition in 1980s rock and roll with their top of the charts hits of “Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)” and their rendition of the Turtles’ “Happy Together.”

Even the Nylons’ first album, self-titled “The Nylons,” found immediate success as it went gold in Canada in two months.

After finding tremendous success in the 1980s, the members were becoming increasingly tired from recording six albums in seven years and touring. This put The Nylons into a funk

The groups main songwriter, Cooper, left the group and in 1991 Connors, another strong driving force, died.

Through all of this, Morrison and Robinson did not lose focus. They knew that The Nylons were not ready to become a part of music history.

In 1993 they began to look for people to fit The Nylons sound and soon after beginning the search, Garth Mosbaugh, former backup singer for Michelle Wright and George Fox, joined the group. Baritone vocals of singer, actor and dancer Mark Cassisus soon followed.

With two new members, The Nylons have gone on to produce its 11th album, “Fabric of Life.” The new release feature Hall and Oats’ “I Can’t Go For That,” George Michael’s “Monkey” and the Beatles’ “Let It Be.”

The Nylons will bring a smooth and sophisticated sound to Ames tonight at Stephens Auditorium. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6, $9 and $11 for students and $12, $18 and $22 general admission and are still available.

The Shaggy Boys will be performing at 7 p.m. in the Stephens Auditorium Celebrity Cafe.