The Buckinghams Included in Paul Shaffer's Book

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 band would play an important part. Reassembling the band would, in fact, provide the spine of the story. Danny wrote a scene for me where, appropriately enough, I was playing piano in a lounge in Chicago. The scene would climax with me, Danny, and John performing the Buckinghams' "Kind of a Drag." I looked forward to being in a big Hollywood movie."

But, a longtime friend, Gilda Radner, stepped in and asked Shaffer's help, and when he tried to work on both projects, John Belushi decided to replace him. For Shaffer, that was indeed kind of a drag...

Carl Giammarese Appearing Today on Dick Biondi's Holiday Toy Drive

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.

Buckinghams Set to Spark Christmas Spirit, Show at Beverly Arts Center, Saturday, Nov. 28th

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 Center
2407 W. 111th St.
Chicago IL 60655
773-445-0386
$35

Tom Lounges Organizes Shelter Benefit; Items Donated Include The Buckinghams' Contributions, plus Tommy James, Foghat, Charlie Daniels, and More

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, with a special acoustic opening set by the trio of Rick Murk, Jimmy Sarr and Chris Pena.

Among celebrities donating signed items for the event's silent auction are Alice Cooper, Foghat, Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, Charlie Daniels, Jim Peterik of Survivor and Ides Of March, Triumph, Little Feat, KISS alum Bruce Kulick, Tommy James, Marshall Crenshaw, The Buckinghams, and even country star Gary Allan, with more signed items still expected.

Lounges, afternoon host on Northwest Indiana's classic rocker X-Rock 103.9 and columnist for The Times of Northwest Indiana, organizes the event, making the phone calls to gather signatures from classic rockers around the country and the world.

"My two best friends, my dogs Max and Gator, came from local shelters and two months ago, the newest member of my family, Charlie, came from a shelter, too. This annual event is my way to give back for all the unconditional love of these animals," said Lounges in a written news release.

"This event has grown each year as more and more celebrity friends get on board to help brighten and save the lives of unwanted animals awaiting forever homes in local shelters," added Lounges. "Every year and more and more rockers are rolling out signed items for us. Local businesses have done likewise. And bless 'em all for it."

Businesses wishing to donate items for drawings and the auction can contact Lounges at (219) 462-6111 or lounges@xrock1039.com.

Posted in Lake on Thursday, November 19, 2009 12:00 am Updated: 3:00 pm. | Tags: Indiana, Animals, Entertainment, Fundraisers, Illinois, Music, Porter County, Schererville

Reprinted from the NWI.com times; original story at:
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/4391cc18-5830-5afe-8ba5-52b38e019372.html

Buckinghams Headed to Las Vegas, November 14th

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 tickets online (no phone orders) at:

www.FiestaRanchoLasVegas.com

Rock N Roll Roots Debut Includes Three Members of The Buckinghams Performing at Borders in Oak Brook, IL, Sunday, November 8th

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, live, unplugged, at Border's this Sunday and get your copy of Vol. 11 while supplies last.
Be part of the Stroud Crowd

The Buckinghams and The Ides of March Perform in Concert Benefit for Wounded Heroes Foundation

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 the proceeds from this concert will go to benefit the Wounded Heroes Foundation. The Wounded Heroes Foundation provides care packages to our injured men and women of the armed forces.

Coming up:
• Memorial presentation with keynote speaker, Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary of public and intergovernmental affairs for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Saturday, Nov. 7. Many other honored guests will be present for the ceremony.

• 20th Annual Veterans Day Race, Sunday, Nov. 8. The race will include a 1st Place prize and a grand raffle. The proceeds from this race will also go toward the Wounded Heroes Foundation.

For more information about The Moving Wall, now in its 25th anniversary year and for a complete list of events please visit Westchester Chamber of Commerce at www.westchesterchamber.org. The Moving Wall was first built by Vietnam veteran volunteers after seeing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. Veterans John Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veterans built the Moving Wall, which was publicly displayed in 1984 for the first time in Tyler, Texas. Two structures of this wall travel the country from April through November.

When The Buckinghams performed in Panama City Beach, Florida last November, The Moving Wall was on display there outside the civic center marina. The Buckinghams continue to remember Veterans Day each year and salute the men and women of the armed forces regularly at concerts, expressing appreciation for their service to the United States.


For the full story, visit
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lagrange/news/community/1853870,lg-movingwall-1029090-s1.article

The story of the moving wall is found at http://www.themovingwall.org

A new math equation, Donnie Iris is to Pittsburgh what The Buckinghams are to Chicago

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 1960s band, The Jaggerz, had a hit in "The Rapper". So it's probably a safe bet to say that he is to his native Pittsburgh what the Buckinghams are to Chicago...there's some kind of slogan there, probably need the Geico gekko to work on it.

The Buckinghams included in new release, "60s Book of Days" by Solomon and Appel

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, "Kind of a Drag" made it to the top of the national music charts.

Pop Culture Addicts need look no further when you're finished adding this title to your list. There's a companion volume, "Book of Days '70s" just now hitting bookstores in your neighborhood. Barnes & Noble has both available online (www.bn.com)