The Buckinghams in Concert

7 and 10 p.m. Saturday (12/26) Riverside Casino & Golf Resort Show Lounge, 3184 Highway 22, Riverside, Free, (319) 648-1234, www.riversidecasinoandresort.com From the Iowa City Press-Citizen online site: Riverside Casino Show Lounge, Riverside 7 and 10 p.m. Saturday Chi-town quintet pounded the charts and Midwestern ballrooms in the late-sixties (I saw 'em at The Surf with the Cryan Shames), hitting No. 1 in 1967 with "Kind of a Drag." Other hits include "Don't You Care," "Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)," "Susan" and a vocal version of Cannonball Adderley's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy." This re-formed edition, featuring two original members, has been on the road for some 25 years.

From the blog on wgnradio.com , Steve & Johnnie Schedule - Dec 17th - THURSDAY NIGHT / FRIDAY MORNING We get another musical treat for the holidays as Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams joins us in studio to perform songs from their holiday album The Joy of Christmas and other Buckingham hits. TUNE IN at 11 pm, on 720 WGN-AM or listen online at wgnradio.com . PLUS Missed something from this week? A comment you didn't get to share with us? We do our best to get to it all in our 3 AM Unfinished Bidnezz Hour. PLUS Where to chill out after all that holiday shopping? Who's in town? What's new on the big screen? We spill it all in our 4 AM hour as we present The Weekend!

Kent Kotal, Chicago music lover and originator of the blog "Forgotten Hits," features Christmas music from Chicago bands in his daily blog. Today's post, available at: Forgotten Hits: More Christmas Music Excerpted here... And I was very happy to receive this note from another one of Chicago's legendary bands, The Buckinghams: Hi Kent, From "The Joy Of Of Christmas," I would like to feature the Buckinghams Christmas song "Have A Little Faith." It is a song of faith and hope and the promise that things will get better. I would like to dedicate it to all our fine men and women that are making the ultimate sacrifice by putting their lives on the line serving us in Iraq and Afghanistan with the hope and faith that they will soon be rejoined with there families ... our prayers are with them. Kent, your readers can also download the track by going to www.thebuckinghams.com/20081110 Have a blessed Christmas. Carl Giammarese Thanks, Carl. In fact, The Buck...

On Friday 11 December 2009 at 9:00 pm, The Buckinghams return to the Northern Lights Theatre of the Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee. The Chicago group has played this venue several times in the past few years. The Northern Lights Theatre is a two-tiered venue with booth and table seating on the first floor, traditional theatre seating on the second floor. Crowds can enjoy the 60s music they know and appreciate and relive the music of that generation performed by The Buckinghams. Northern Lights Theater 1721 West Canal Street Milwaukee, WI 53233 Ticket info: (414) 847-7400 Show starts at 9 pm.

Chicago's favorite videographer, known by just one name, McCrackin, has posted two new YouTube videos taken at the 2009 edition of the annual Dick Biondi Toy Drive, where WLS was broadcasting live to raise money and get new toys donated for UCAN. The community really responded and they were able to raise substantial dollars and now have toys to make Christmas brighter for so many Chicagoland children, who would otherwise be thinking Santa forgot them this year. Carl dedicated his song, "Have a Little Faith" to all the men and women serving our armed forces, who have to be away from their loved ones during the holiday season. This song is from "The Joy of Christmas" CD by The Buckinghams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSZ3DVP2iDE Here is the holiday duet of Dick Biondi, who joked that people had offered him $60 NOT to sing, singing with Carl Giammarese on "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibnWZtHsKpY Also on YouTube h...

Pictured from their 2006 Oldies Cruise show, members of The Buckinghams and The Original Comets, including founding bass player, Marshall Lytle. Buckinghams members pictured here include Carl Giammarese, Nick Fortuna, Bob Abrams, and Bruce Soboroff. A nice surprise to read Marshall Lytle's new book talks of being part of some fun oldies ocean cruises in his role as original bass player for Bill Haley and the Comets. In Lytle's new book, "Still Rockin' Around the Clock: My Life in Rock N' Roll's First Super Group, Bill Haley and the Comets, Lytle notes: "The first cruise we did was in 2004 with Paul Revere and the Raiders, the Buckinghams, and Gary Puckett and the Union Gap-great organizations, and these people just did wonderful work. In 2005, we did the show with Paul Revere, the Raiders (again), Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and Peggy March. In 2006, the Buckinghams returned and Blood, Sweat and Tears appeared." (pp. 164-165). Lytle's book, coaut...

In the noted "Swingin' Showbiz Saga," by David Letterman's sidekick and leader of the CBS Orchestra, Paul Shaffer, music of The Buckinghams is mentioned twice in "We'll Be Here for the Rest of Our Lives." The 2009 book is published by Flying Dolphin Press and is coauthored by Paul Shaffer and David Ritz. Page 67 notes that after high school graduation, Paul Shaffer listened to WLS radio in Chicago all the way from his hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. In Chapter 26, "Divided Soul," Shaffer speaks of his dilemma in having been asked to be musical director for the upcoming Blues Brothers movie, but the overlapping request from Gilda Radner to write songs with her and coproduce her album on a record deal she'd just been signed to develop. Shaffer's work on The Blues Brothers Movie project was substantial enough to the point where, in Shaffer's own words (pp. 185-186) "As the script started shaping up, it became clear that...

The annual Christmas toy drive held by WLS Radio and favorite DJ Dick Biondi goes on all day today, November 27th, until 10 pm at the Stratford Square Mall in Bloomingdale. Carl Giammarese will be stopping by around 12 noon in the Sears court area. One of the toy drive's sponsors, The NECA & IBEW, made a very generous $5,000 cash donation to provide children's toys. Other sponsors include Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates attorneys, and Fisher-Price. If you can't get to the Stratford Mall in person, tune in to www.947trueoldies.com and listen online. Stay tuned to 94.7 for announcements of additional toy drive locations during the holiday season.

The Buckinghams Christmas Show - LIVE MUSIC - Saturday - November 28 8:00 PM $35/$32 BAC Members Buy 1 ticket to The Buckinghams on Black Friday between 6-9pm and get the 2nd Free! (only at Box office or at 773-445-3838) Get in the spirit this year with Holiday favorites from the Buckinghams! For the past two and a half decades, THE BUCKINGHAMS have successfully toured the nation with their signature pop music featuring founding members Carl Giammarese (lead vocals) and Nick Fortuna (bass and vocals). Their show is filled with harmony, spontaneity, humor, and a musical strength that appeals to not only their loyal fans, but forges new links with younger generations as well. THE BUCKINGHAMS deliver a spectacular live show that includes their Billboard Top 40 hits, and a mix of audience’s sizzling favorites from the pop & rock charts of the 1960’s and early 1970’s. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE BUCKINGHAMS! http://www.thebuckinghams.com The Buckinghams Christmas Show Beverly Arts Ce...

The Buckinghams have several worthwhile charity events they support, including this one, "Givin the Dog a Bone' Concert, organized by Indiana DJ, Tom Lounges. Lounges is the originator of The Buckinghams' fan newsletter after their reunion back in the 1980s and has fond memories of working with the group. Here's his latest endeavor: Shelter animal benefit includes concert, silent auction By Times Staff | Posted: Thursday, November 19, 2009 12:00 am | No Comments Posted Classic rock artists from around the world are helping a Northwest Indiana radio station raise funds for shelter animals in the Calumet Region. Join X-Rock 103.9's Tom Lounges for his annual Givin' the Dog a Bone (and the Cat, too) shelter animal benefit concert and silent auction from 5 p.m. to midnight the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, at the Patrician Banquet Hall, 410 E. U.S. 30. Donating performances this year are Chicagoland groups X-Girlfriend, The Backwoods Band, and Marrakesh Express,...

On Saturday, November 14th, The Buckinghams will return to Vegas for the second time this year. They will be in concert at the Club Tequila at the Fiesta Rancho Casino Hotel, located at 2400 N. Rancho Drive North Las Vegas, NV 89130 DETAILS: KKLZ 96.3 FM PRESENTS The Buckinghams Genre: Oldies Venue: Club Tequila Date: Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009, at 8 p.m. Artist Info: The Buckinghams formed in Chicago in 1966 and became one of the top-selling acts of 1967 with the No. 1 hit single “Kind of a Drag.” The band also had several songs peak in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, such as “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “Don’t You Care” and “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song.” Original guitarist Carl Giammarese and bassist Nick Fortuna have since revived The Buckinghams and tour as part of American “oldies” shows. In 2009, The Buckinghams performed at the Bipartisan Illinois Agricultural Ball for the inauguration of the nation’s 44th President, Barack Obama. Must be 21 years or older Out of state, buy t...

To Get There From Here: WDRV DJ favorite Bob Stroud unveils his selections for his Rock N Roll Roots Vol. 11 CD release this Sunday, November 8th, at Border's Bookstore, 12N-3pm, 1599 16th Street, Oak Brook, IL. Bob Stroud leads the annual party which, this year, benefits LifeSource, Chicagoland's Blood Center. Among the entertainers scheduled to perform at Stroud's unveiling of his 2009 CD release are Carl Giammarese, Bob Abrams, and Bruce Soboroff of The Buckinghams. Here's a video memory from Rock N Roll Roots, Volume 9, November 4, 2007, with YouTube film from Lane Video Productions: Carl Giammarese vocals and guitar, Bob Abrams, guitar and vocals, Bruce Soboroff, keyboard and vocals, Bob Stroud on tambourine and vocals and guest vocals, Jim Peterik of the Ides of March and members of The Cryan' Shames. Tunes include "Don't You Care" and "Kind of a Drag." YouTube URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-CzJohriz4 Check out The Buckinghams, ...

Mayfair Park in Westchester Village, Illinois will be part of a week-long event honoring Vietnam Veterans. On Friday, November 6th, The Buckinghams and the Ides of March will be featured entertainment in a benefit concert for the Wounded Heroes Foundation, which provides injured men and women of the armed forces with care packages. From online web stories: “Bringing The Moving Wall to our community to honor and respect those that have made the ultimate sacrifice provides our residents and neighbors with an opportunity they would never otherwise have,” states Village President Sam Pulia. “It will be a privilege to count you among those who witness and experience The Moving Wall in the village of Westchester.” Westchester Moving Wall events opened with: • A presentation by Roger Mattingly, a military photographer for Stars and Stripes during the Vietnam War on Thursday, Nov. 5 Today's feature: • Charity Concert featuring The Buckinghams and The Ides of March on Friday, Nov. 6. All th...

Never one to spend too much time with math, that sounded like a neat equation in The Examiner's column of Nov. 4th. Donnie Iris = The Buckinghams Pittsburgh .... Chicago From The Examiner: Apparently (Donnie) Iris, known nationally for his 1981 hit single, "Ah! Leah!", is to his native Pittsburgh what the Buckinghams are to Chicago, a still popular oldies act. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Iris is applying his nickname, King Cool, to a beer thought up by his keyboardist (also an intellectual property laywer) Mark Avsec. "King Cool Light" is set to debut in the Pittsburgh area November 20, during a concert by Iris and his band. The beer is contract-brewed by Lion Brewery, Inc. in Wilkes Barre, current maker of the Christian Moerlein brands, Stegmaier, and Little Kings Cream Ale. Full story at http://www.examiner.com/x-9128-Chicago-Craft-Beer-Examiner~y2009m11d4-Celebrity-beer-news When it comes to beer, Donnie Iris and his 1960...

The new release, "Book of Days '60s" by Harvey Solomon and Rich Appel is a pop culture delight for anyone who considers themselves to be trivia experts, or the wannabes who need a good reference guide to check their facts. Subtitled, "A Day-by-Day Look at the Pop Culture Moments That Made History," the reader is treated to a well-organized collection of facts from music, film, and TV that was important to everyone growing up in the baby boomer decade of choice. An intelligent presentation with superb and plentiful color and b/w photographs fill the pages, bringing the facts to life with ease. Published by Metro Books, the hard cover volume includes a CD smpler with 7 favorite tunes that bring instant recall to mind. Hugo Montenegro's "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and Roy Orbison's "Only the Lonely" are part of the 60s soundtrack included on the bonus disk. On page 40, February 18th marks the day that The Buckinghams' hit, ...

Connie Szerszen, Chicago's First Female Rock DJ on AM Radio, has a new book on the market, a superb collection of memories from her days at WIND-AM and WCFL-AM. Titled "Top Rock Girly Jock," the book is available both at her web site ( http://toprockgirlyjock.com ) and on amazon.com. Page 70 features a 1968 photo of Connie and Jerry G. Bishop with The Buckinghams during a personal appearance visit to WCFL. Connie will be a guest on WGN Radio's Steve and Johnnie Program, Tuesday overnight, October 27th/early morning October 28th and share her memories of 1960s Chicago radio, including setting several 'firsts,' which were actually written into the U.S. Congressional Record as the 1st woman with her own prime time show, AM radio, major market, and the 1st woman in America to broadcast "live" on an all-digital radio station. Today, Szerszen does celebrity DJ events, is a talented commission portrait artist, and enjoys writing when time permits. The book ...

Singing their first hit on Columbia Records, Carl Giammarese and The Buckinghams perform "Don't You Care," at the Wheeling Freedomfest in July 2007. Thanks to videographer smctopia for posting this footage: and, in another 2007 YouTube video, user jacksdistrict does a nice job on the song as well. Timeless music is just that...and holds up well as part of the soundtrack of our lives. and, if you don't play the guitar, you can still play the radio. Here's user MMiiKKee95 playing the ...stereo with "Don't You Care".

In a video recorded August 15th, McCrackin, Chicagoland's music videographer, interviewed Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna before they took the stage at Wood Dale. A guest appearance by Bob Abrams is at the end of the video. Carl and Nick remember the early days of the band in this segment.

The next Chicagoland performance of The Buckinghams is set for this weekend at the Heart of Chicago Festival, 24th and Oakley, to benefit the Heart of Chicago Association. The weekend-long event starts Friday, and The Buckinghams take the stage on Saturday, October 17th at 8 pm. From their web site: All things Italy will be celebrated at the inaugural Heart of Chicago Festival which coincides with October's Italian-American Heritage Month. The festivities run from Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18, in the city's Heart of Chicago neighborhood at 24th Street and Oakley. The three-day fest will feature plenty of culinary delights and wine of the Mediterranean nation as well as music, artisans and a grape stomping contest. For visitors who may not be familiar with the cozy Heart of Chicago enclave on the city's near southwest side, they'll be treated to a hidden neighborhood jewel that includes the Italian eateries lining Oakley. The festival coincides with Ita...

Check out several YouTube videos by Buckinghams' drummer Tom Scheckel. These two segments are just a preview to show the versatility and talent of this excellent musician. Check out YouTube to see all of The Buckinghams' videos from recent live performances. Here's Tom's drum cam on a Buckinghams' song:

Friday, October 2nd in Wildwood, New Jersey, The Buckinghams will be in concert at the Fourth Annual Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival in Fox Park, on Ocean Ave. Read the full news story at: http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/55159-experience+olde+world+wildwoods

One of the favorite roving reporters on Chicago's music scene, known as McCrackin, posts regularly on YouTube. The following clip is from McCrackin's interview with Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna before they went on stage at Wood Dale, August 16, 2009. To check out McCrackin's other YouTube videos, search YouTube for mccrackin1000. For more on The Buckinghams, go to www.thebuckinghams.com

The Buckinghams are this year's featured entertainment for the Tower Theatre Foundation's benefit concert, to be held at Ranch at the Canyons, in Terrebonne, Oregon, Saturday, Sept. 26th. "The Tower Theatre Foundation and the Ranch at the Canyons resort have forged a unique partnership to produce a one-of-a-kind outdoor concert Saturday, September 26, 2009, featuring the 1960s hitmakers THE BUCKINGHAMS. They will perform all their memory-evoking, dance-inducing chart toppers, including Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song; Susan; Kind of a Drag; Don’t You Care, plus other great tunes of the late ‘60s and early 70s." "This event takes place on the banks of the scenic Crooked River, which meanders through the Ranch... ...The Ranch and the Tower have extensive connections to the Central Oregon community and are deeply rooted in the history and current lifestyles of this beautiful region." The private fundraiser is being sponsored by US Bank and Schwabe, Williamso...

Liz Harris, publisher of "Keep Rockin' Magazine," did a three-page feature story on The Chicago Hitmakers' Concert at the Star Plaza Theatre, in Merrillville, IN. Ronnie Rice opened the show, followed by The Ides of March, featuring Jim Peterik, and The Buckinghams, 3 of Chicagoland's favorite acts. To get a copy, visit www.krmag.com . Here's a preview of some of the pictures you'll see. Get a copy to read Liz Harris' backstage visit with Carl Giammarese, Nick Fortuna, and Bob and Michele Abrams. No one wanted to leave that night as the music was unforgettable. Pictured below are The Buckinghams, including The Buckinghorns, whose signature horn sound always brings great memories of all their hits. Full story is available in the October issue of "Keep Rockin' Magazine."

Blogger Music Critic "Big Geez" featured the music of The Buckinghams today. "The British musical invasion of the Sixties changed the face of pop music, but not just in terms of the music itself. The songs from bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were tremendously popular, but a lot of American bands also adopted the look, complete with shaggy haircuts and English-style clothes. I've written before about one such band (Beau Brummels), but there were a lot of others going down that road as well, and some of them had a surprising amount of success. For a while, one of the most popular was the group known as the Buckinghams..." ..."In later years, original members Giammarese and Fortuna started up the group again to tour the Oldies circuit, and have done well keeping alive the music they made famous." Read the entire post at: http://blogcritics.org/music/article/retro-redux-chicagos-faux-british-buckinghams/

Now on sale, the October issue of Keep Rockin' Magazine with two stories featuring The Buckinghams, a photo essay on Dick Biondi, stories of Clear Lake, Iowa and Buddy Holly, mentioning John Pickering, of The Picks, and cover story on Chubby Checker. Check it out at www.krmag.com and order there or find it in local bookstores. The story of The Buckinghams begins with two Chicago groups who were performing on the same stages around town in the early 1960s. From one group, The Centuries, three members of the future group The Buckinghams would emerge. Pictured here are Carl Giammarese, Gerald Elarde, Nick Fortuna, and Curtis Bachman.

Stanly County Concert Association presents The Buckinghams at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center Stanly County Concert Association presents The Buckinghams at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 7:30pm - 9:30pm September 12, 2009 Stanly County Concert Association presents the 62nd season of Live On Our Stage Concert Series with The Buckinghams. The Buckinghams have continually toured the nation with their signature pop/rock style. The show is filled with harmony, spontaneity, humor and a musical strength that appeals to not only their loyal fans, but forges new links with younger generations as well. For more information call 704.986.3666 Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032 Newt Rd # B Albemarle, NC 28001-7461 24-hour events hotline: 704.986.3816 www.stanlyciviccenter.com

On May 27, 1967, The Buckinghams were on American Bandstand, performing "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," and "Kind of a Drag" on American Bandstand that night 42 years ago. On May 27, 2009, Danny Lake interviewed Carl Giammarese as Danny filled in for Dick Biondi during the Memorial Day weekend. To listen to Danny's interview with Carl, click on this link for the podcast: http://images.radcity.net/5150/3708511.mp3 Check out WLS 94.7 in Chicago or www.trueoldies.com every Saturday night on WLS for "Saturday Night Party with Danny Lake" from 7 to 11 pm CST.

Art attracts, but that's not all you'll find at renowned festival Daily Herald Staff Report People pack downtown Highland Park at a previous Port Clinton Art Festival. Daily Herald file photo Full Story at: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=316392 Visitors stroll by a fiberglass sculpture made by artist Marina Lee during a previous Port Clinton Art Festival in downtown Highland Park Saturday. The event returns this weekend with more than 260 juried artists from around the country. Daily Herald file photo Published: 8/28/2009 12:01 AM The annual Port Clinton Art Festival takes center stage this weekend at the Taste of Highland Park, featuring the work of more than 260 juried artists from around the country. "Families are looking for opportunities to share happy experiences together during these tough economic times," says Amy Amdur, founder of Amdur Productions, which launched the show that has become an end-of-summer tradition. "Art has the power to speak...