The Buckinghams in Concert

Kent Kotal scooped the media today in announcing the latest news from John Rook, legendary national record program director and cofounder of the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. The Buckinghams are among "the sixty-four recording stars who have been inducted into the 2009 Hit Parade Hall of Fame." Formed in 2006, the organization is considered a prestigious, if not refreshing, alternative to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nominees for this honor are made by a powerful array of industry professionals. Fans then have an opportunity to cast their votes for "recording stars who have had two or more top ten hits in the '50s, '60s or '70s." It was the vote of fans and the decision of the Nominating Committee that the following recording artists are inducted for 2009: America, the Ames Brothers, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Louis Armstrong, Frankie Avalon, Brook Benton, Buckinghams , Glen Campbell, Chordettes, Petula Clark, Sam Cooke, Dave Clark Five, Creeden...

Story in Today's Chicago Daily Heral d is a concert preview for two shows this coming weekend. Full story link at: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=354017 Herman's Hermits, Buckinghams set to salute the '60s By Gregory Harutunian | Daily Herald Correspondent The Buckinghams still draw fans to hear "Kind of a Drag" and other hits from the '60s. Peter Noone says Herman's Hermits will tailor its Waukegan show to the audience. Published: 1/28/2010 12:01 AM Sparked by Beatlemania, 1964 marked the start of the "British Invasion" on the American music scene, and prompted the formation of many stateside bands to meet the challenge. Prime examples of that period hit Waukegan's Genesee Theatre stage at 8 p.m. Friday for a "Salute to the '60s." The lineup includes British band Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone, The Grass Roots with Rob Gill, and The Buckinghams with Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortunato. Far from being classed as no...

Said it before, will say it again. The Internet is a great invention. YouTube is even greater. Where else in the world but the Internet and YouTube could you ever hope to hear a #1 song played on the Ukelele and it actually sounds terrific? Admit it, you think ukelele, your mind races to Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles." Right? But after a viewing of this gentleman, known only as "kharmachanic" it's quite a special rendition. And the talented troubadour has more videos on the Net of other songs, each video hosting a regular cast of characters, including the cockatoo (shades of Baretta) and a cat that answers to either Tiki-Tiki or Aku-Aku. So, expect the unexpected when you catch this version of a song you only thought you knew:

On this day in history A history lesson from "Good Time Oldies Buffalo radio veteran Tom Schuh - the greatest Top 40 hits of the 60s and 70s: Beatles, Brits & Beach Boys; Motown & Memphis and more! Plus "Hall of Fame Hits" from the 50s, and even a few "Modern Oldies" from the 80s." BIRTHDAYS: The Troggs guitarist Chris Britton is 65. Richie Havens is 69. MUSIC HISTORY: In 1957 Filming began on Elvis Presley's movie "Loving You." In 1961 Elvis Presley signed a five-year movie deal with producer Hal Wallis. In 1962 Jackie Wilson performed on "The Ed Sullivan Show." In 1965 The Animals had to cancel a show at New York's Apollo Theater when the U.S. Immigration Department refused to allow the group to work at the venue. The Rolling Stones arrived in Sydney, Australia to begin a tour with Roy Orbison. The Kinks released the single "Tired of Waiting for You" in the UK. In 1966 George Harrison married his first wife,...

A recent Morris Daily Herald story noted the band, Checkered Past cited contemporary concerts by The Buckinghams as a place where today's college students were familiar with all the music of the popular 60s Chicago band. Event producer Ron Romero decided, after watching audiences at a Buckinghams' concert, that he wanted to form a 60s band. The group Checkered Past performed recently at the Morris Country Club in Grundy County, IL. An excerpt from Jeanne Millsap's Daily Herald story follows: It only makes sense that guitarist/vocalist Ron Romero started up a band that plays 60s classics. Music from that era seems to have grown to appeal to every generation, and Romero’s interest in music spans several generations in his own family. Romero, of Minooka, plays the drums and guitar, and he sings. His older brother is an accomplished guitarist and organist; his father played trumpet in jazz bands; and his grandmother played piano, classical guitar, the mandolin, and other instr...

In the earliest days of The Buckinghams' career, they were introduced to many new acquaintances and people were added to their team as the recording artists took to the road. Among their first road managers was a gentleman named Don Schoenborn, also known to the band as "Dano" and his memory is saluted with the reprinting of this Daily Herald story, written in October, 2009, by Eileen O. Daday. An excerpt follows. Don Schoenborn made the transition most teenage music lovers only dream of: he parlayed his connections at The Cellar teen dance club in Arlington Heights into becoming the road manager for nationally recognized bands. Mr. Schoenborn passed away on Sunday. The longtime Palatine resident was 67. Family members say "Dano," as he was called, loved The Cellar and its draw as a local music venue accessible to teens. He had graduated from Palatine High School in 1960 and was not a musician himself, but he loved the sound of rock 'n' roll. One of the ...

Ever heard of The Screaming Wildman of Chicago Radio? Carl Bonafede was one of the 'most heard' voices in Chicago on any 50,000 watt station broadcasting across the country. Fast-talking, quick-witted, one-of-a-kind DJ, Bonafede was more than just a DJ. Carl Bonafede was the manager of The Buckinghams in the 1960s, among several other popular groups of Chicagoland. He and Dan Belloc also co-produced several records on the USA label for The Buckinghams, including the #1 "Kind of a Drag". The latest issue of Keep Rockin ' Magazine has a feature story on Carl Bonafede by Dawn Lee Wakefield, as well as a cover story on never-before-seen photographs of The Beatles, and the story behind them, written by Ian Wright. Chicago teens will also appreciate a feature by Kenn Petzke "Bandstand Matinee with Jim Lounsbury," with great nostalgic event tickets, bandstand matinee club cards, and a "I am a Jim Lounsbury Fan" pin-on lapel button. It's a great tr...

Carl Bonafede, original manager of The Buckinghams and The Centuries (Carl Giammarese, Nick Fortuna, Gerald Elarde, and Curtis Bachman) features musical memories from The Centuries and The Buckinghams on his web site, http://www.carlbonafede.com . Chicago radio fan favorite commercial track, " Get with the Go Group " that The Buckinghams recorded for Norm Kraus' Grand Spaulding Dodge (Mr. Norm) is included. Bonafede also produced and managed The Daughters of Eve, the Rail City 5, The Delights, Thee Prophets, among others, and booked bands, including Mickey, Larry & the Exciters, The Lost Souls, Lincoln Park Zoo, Ral Donner, Gene Pitney and more, into clubs across Chicago. If you heard or saw Carl and Nick as part of The Fabulous Centuries or The Buckinghams, anywhere in the Midwest in the early 60s, you saw firsthand the management and production of Carl Bonafede. Also check out two of Joseph Pytel, Jr's. blogs and learn more about Carl Bonafede's own vocal st...

Thanks to WLSClark and Kent Kotal, here is the cover art that goes with The Buckinghams’ jingle for Norm Kraus, also known as Mr. Norm. Carl Bonafede, original manager of The Buckinghams, booked them often at Mr. Norm’s Sport Club for Grand Spaulding Dodge. Mr. Norm gave the band a van in exchange for this jingle that was played across Chicago radio stations. The LP pictured is full of drag strip stuff at Ubly Dragway. The Buckinghams jingle is 20 seconds that show up on the end and beginning of the LP side which runs a full 13 minutes of drag stuff similar to the Capitol Records series of Lps. Note it sold for $1 then. Now, it would bring $100 probably. WLSClark “Get With the Go Group!” by The Buckinghams

Rogers Park-based blogger, Toni, showcased The Buckinghams in her first post of the new year, entitled: "Here's to Good Memories," and she links the title to The Bucks' web site, which is greatly appreciated. The blog, 24/7 north of howard watchers, noted how she and her friends and family "went to see The Buckinghams every chance we get." And, Toni and her friends are a major reason that The Buckinghams remain in demand in Chicago and around the country, because of faithful fans who spread the word to others, in blogs, on the phone, e-mails, and by ordering music from The Bucks' web site. Happy New Year to Toni, the 24/7 north of howard watchers readers, and everyone who enjoys great sounds of 60s music today. Great music will always stand the test of time. Read the entire blog post at: http://howardwatchers.blogspot.com/2010/01/heres-to-good-memories.html