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The Buckinghams Visit Ground Zero, New York City, November 2014

We were in Morristown, NJ on Thursday night and had the day off on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, so we traveled to Ground Zero in NYC to pay tribute and remember those for whom this beautiful tribute was constructed. It is breathtaking, solemn, respectful, and magnificent as a memorial. The photos of us were taken by one of New York's Finest, and we appreciate him for that and for what he does every day.

Civic Leaders, Elected Officials, and The Buckinghams Party Like Rock Stars for a Good Cause

The Buckinghams are uniquely positioned as a rock band, beloved by Baby Boomers and the new Millennials alike. Politics aside, everyone who is running for office wants their guests to have a great time when they put on a fund-raiser. To read more about how The Buckinghams are invited to entertain at some of the most exciting political and civic fundraisers, In 2005 The Buckinghams were invited to headline the Illinois Bipartisan Agricultural Ball for the inauguration of President George W. Bush. Two guests that night were the junior Senator from Illinois, Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, who enjoyed dancing to the music. In 2009, The Buckinghams were invited to return as headliners for the Illinois Bipartisan Agricultural Ball for the inauguration of President Barack H. Obama. The opportunity to play these political galas stemmed from a dynamic political leader who is not an elected official but is instead a beloved son of Chicago himself, Terrance A. (Terry) Duffy, who is

Carl Giammarese's Salute to the Jackie Robinson West Little League Baseball Team

The pride of Chicago’s South Side, the Jackie Robinson West Little League Baseball team, is deserving of best wishes and congratulations for their outstanding achievement in becoming the 2014 U.S.Champions in the Little League World Series. Photo courtesy of Chicago's ABC7.com web site Little did these youngsters dream, when they picked up their first baseball, after having watched their first Cubs or White Sox game, that they’d be the ones to represent our city to the rest of the United States and be named “the best of the best”! Respect and thanks go out to each of the parents and the families of the young players and the tremendous coaching staff who have sacrificed hours, days, weeks, months and years being mentors to these wonderful children. Jackie Robinson made such a sterling contribution to the sport that we love, so it’s fitting that our Chicagoland youth bear the name of America’s favorite #42. So often we divide our city by geography as South, North or West suburbs

The Buckinghams at Jubilee Days 2014, in the Village of Bolingbrook, in Bolingbrook, Illinois

Our friend Karen Materik and a few of her friends came to one of The Buckinghams' favorite places to play--the Village of Bolingbrook. These are the pictures she took. Bolingbrook Mayor Roger C. Claar knows how to throw a party, no doubt about it.

Great Memories of The Buckinghams at Bolingbrook Jubilee, August, 2014

One of the biggest highlights for The Buckinghams is to be able to get off the road and perform in their hometown, where fans who've loved them since the beginning drive over, as well as many longtime fans will cross state lines just to get to the great kind of party that Bolingbrook throws. There's not just two generations of fans here; recently a little one-year-old fan was sporting a t-shirt that said, "Future drummer." Why not? Everyone loves the drummer, right, Rocky? Here's the entertainment lineup from Sunday: Sunday, August 17, 2014 Event & Stage Entertainment Schedule Food and Beer - Noon - 10:00pm Jaycees Carnival - Noon - 10:00pm Jaycees Bingo - Noon - 10:00pm Craft Show - Noon - 6:00pm On The Performing Arts Stage Efenemcy - 12:00pm - 1:30pm Neighbor John - 2:00pm - 3:30pm The Cover Girls (Violin Show) - 4:00pm - 5:30pm; Glamour Girls with Rockstar Attitude--Fresh, flirty and fun, the CoverGirls Violin Show is a colorful, high-energy

Details on the Upcoming Oneonta, New York Groovin' the 60s Concert

The ticket link is up for the Groovin' the 60s concert on Saturday, October 4, 2014, in Oneonta, New York. It's going to be a great night with The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett, Christi Copeland and the Hartwick College Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jason Leo Curley. Arrangements and show concept by Mariano Longo and directed by Las Vegas' own Jeanne Bavaro. Don't miss this night. Presented by Orchestral Events. Check out http://oneontatheatre.frontgatetickets.com/choose.php?a=1&lid=97160&eid=108552 for tickets.

Exciting Preview of Upcoming "Groovin' the 60s" Concerts in New York

In October, Buckinghams' fans within driving distance of Oneonta, New York and North Tonawanda, New York, will have two chances to see and hear the fantastic "Groovin' the 60s' Evening" starring The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, and singer/comedienne, Christi Copeland. Audiences in North Carolina saw the debut of The Buckinghams' new arrangements for orchestra and symphony, and in February, 2014, Chicago was the debut town for this special night of music you've loved for a lifetime. If you haven't seen this show, you haven't seen THIS show before, even if you've seen The Buckinghams and Gary Puckett The popular "Groovin' the 60s" concert is not your typical double-bill night of rock and roll songs only by the bands you know and love. That would, of course, be worth seeing, but this fall, you'll have two chances to see this show. Mark your calendars for October: Sat 10/04/14 Oneonta, NY Oneonta Theatre

In memoriam, Rose J. Fortuna

It is with sadness and great respect that we share the passing of Nick Fortuna's beloved mother, Rose. Here from the Chicago Sun Times.com is her obituary tribute. Rose J. Fortuna Obituary Fortuna, Rose Josephine (nee Coffaro) Age 97. Beloved wife of the late Anthony; loving mother of Frank (Lynn), Nick, and Anthony (Cammy); cherished grandmother of Mark (Tina), Karen (Mario) Alfonso, Tony (Katherine), Nick V., Dimitri; and great-grandmother of 8; dearest sister of the late Vince Coffaro, the late Esther (the late Tony) Pusateri, Katherine (the late Accurso) Solano, Grace (the late Reno) Quilici; loving sister-in-law of Marie (the late Sam) Fortuna; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Friday, August 1, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Skaja Terrace Funeral Home, 7812 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL. Funeral Saturday 10:15 a.m. to St. John Brebeuf Church for 11:00 a.m. Mass. Entombment All Saints Mausoleum. Rose was a seamstress graduate from Washburne Trade S

Ron Onesti and co-host Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams on "Backstage with Ron Onesti" on WGN-FM

One of the nice things about two Chicago guys getting together to talk is that it usually involves good food, to go along with the good conversation. Chicagoland boasts one of the best food groups in the world, the group being "hot dogs." A Chicago dog may involve a lot of things. Here's a periodic table that helps you with the condiments of what goes into a 'real' Chicago dog:                                                        Courtesy of Vienna Beef So when Ron Onesti and Carl Giammarese got together, where else would be a great spot for a Sunday afternoon than Gene & Jude's, located at 2720 River Road, River Grove, IL 60171 ( www.geneandjudes.com ). Now check out all the restaurant reviews online and see where Gene & Jude's uses the natural casing Vienna Beef dog, and then follow the instructions on the table above when you live out of state, or make sure to put this place on your list the next time you're in Chicagoland for a visi

Carl Giammarese and Gale Sayers help Chicago Cubs celebrate 60s weekend

It's not every day that a kid from Chicago grows up watching TV and one day is on it, playing music as part of a band that will become important first in Chicago, and then will see national acclaim, including days of recording songs on a prestigious record label and then finding yourself looking at a red light belonging to a camera live on CBS's "The Ed Sullivan Show." It's also not every day that a kid can go to Wrigley Field with his dad and younger brother to watch the Cubs play baseball, and then grow up to have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to throw out a ceremonial first pitch for the team. Also, to be included in the same weekend celebration with Gale Sayers (#40) one of the greatest legends ever to play Chicago Bears football is simply surreal. That's what it was like last week for Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams, surreal and splendid, a day to remember forever, July 11, 2014. Read the full story, including the video of Carl's pitch (thanks to S

Announcing The Buckinghams' new CD is Here!

You asked for it, you got it! Announcing the arrival of The Buckinghams' new CD on Fuel Records! It's called Flashback! Are you ready to hear new recordings of some of The Buckinghams' earliest hit records? The ones they released first on USA Records in Chicago and played in concert there and all around the midwest when they toured? Pluse all their Billboard chart hits. You'll really like these tracks. Here's the list:  GET YOUR OWN COPY EARLY AT The Buckinghams' web site,  BEFORE IT'S AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE.   Visit The Buckinghams ' web site and get it today.

The Beatles and Their Influence on America's Teenagers for the Rest of Their Lives

The Buckinghams looked like this in 1966, because of the influence of The British Invasion and, primarily, The Beatles. Rock and roll was never the same again! This week of February 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of when John, Paul, George, and Ringo, influenced by Elvis Presley and "Hound Dog" and a lot of American rock and roll, came over to America, for a date on the Ed Sullivan Show, and changed American music forever. NWI Times journalist Tom Lounges, who is also a popular radio host in the northern Indiana area, wrote a thoughtful column published Feb. 6, 2014 about The Beatles' influence. Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams is one person Tom interviewed. Click on the link to read Tom's complete story: http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/music/beatlemanie-impacted-today-s-music-makers-near-and-far/article_679c9efa-62c4-526e-80e0-aee66eb60147.html

More Fun in Anticipation of "Groovin' The 60's" The Buckinghams, Gary Puckett and Christie Copeland in Concert, Valentine's Day in Chicago

One of the backstage scenes from Orchestral Events' Mariano Longo (Arranger and Conductor) and Jeanne Bavaro, Writer and Director for the "Groovin' The 60s" show on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014 in St. Charles, Illinois, at the Arcada Theatre. In one evening, you'll hear a catalog of songs you know and loved from the 1960s. Check out this video and enjoy listening to Jeanne and Mariano, a little like Keely Smith and Louis Prima back in the day. It's not just another concert; it's not like anything you've ever seen before. It's like The Hollywood Palace, and a return to the days of real variety shows with new duets, new songs, and old favorites, in arrangements you've never heard before. Starring The Buckinghams Gary Puckett and The Union Gap Christie Copeland Together with a Full Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Mariano Longo Tickets available at:  https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=928&cartID=603747e1-38fd-49dd-a2fb-df7cd8cd

Early Preview of Valentine's Day Concert for Chicagoland!

This is a concert like you've never heard Gary Puckett and The Buckinghams before. They have a brand new show, symphonic pops arrangements, a full symphony orchestra and a guest singer, Christie Copeland, who will present an evening of must-see entertainment. Cannot wait to hear it. Now here's a great YouTube by Mariano Longo, the highly regarded Las Vegas arranger and conductor who put this music together for the evening. He wrote the arrangements and will conduct the orchestra on Feb. 14th. Now that you've seen the sneak preview, get your tickets early. The perfect Valentine's Day for you, and for those you care about. Tickets: $49-$79   https://tix.extremetix.com/Online/?siteID=928&cartID=8194b378-00f0-465a-bd3e-3bb4a328e541