The Buckinghams in Concert

May 11, 1937 – October 3, 2020 In recent years when the phone would ring, a bright and ebullient voice would ring out, “Hello Carl, ol’ mate, how’s it going?” And that would begin a chat of at least 30 minutes between two old friends with mutual respect, a lot of history, and miles of laughter in between. On Saturday, we received the sad news that longtime friend and former tour manager Peter Shelton had died today. A native of England, Peter grew up with a devotion to football. It was an early passion of his life and he rooted, as well as scouted, for both Blackpool Football and Manchester City Football Club. Early in his career, he was highly respected as a scouting talent and football clubs often called on him to advise them. His collective knowledge of the sport and friendships across multiple teams would ultimately lead him to his first publication, “My Name is Len Davies, I’m a Football Scout.” The book co-authored with Davies, was “an account of almost 50...

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...

One of the most anticipated events for Newark, Ohio’s nonprofit Camp O’Bannon is the upcoming celebration of their 90th anniversary. The camp serves the needs of over 400 Licking Country children, ages 9–15, each summer. Given the longevity of this Ohio children’s destination, and the special anniversary, Camp O’Bannon’s Board of Directors, headed by civic leader Bob McAleer, has something very special planned. The group will host a dynamic musical celebration in the recently restored, historic Midland Theatre on Sunday, September 30. Granville is home to prestigious Denison University. The 90th anniversary Birthday Bash for Camp O'Bannon is the brainchild of Bob McAleer, board president, and Mariano Longo, Orchestral Events CEO, and the extremely dynamic Newark-Granville Symphony Orchestra. For full story click here .

"Tonight, after 15 successful concerts in June and a two-week hiatus, the Happy Together Tour 2012, the ultimate classic rock and roll road show, resumes in California. The first 15 shows, featuring The Turtles, The Buckinghams, Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett, and Grass Roots, spent the first part of the anniversary tour in the eastern United States. The week ahead includes seven shows across the western United States—with four in California, and one each in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah." Carl Giammarese, The Buckinghams' lead singer and guitarist at the Keswick Theatre. (Marie J. LoPrete, used with permission) Nick Fortuna, The Buckinghams bassist and vocalist at the Keswick Theatre. (Marie J. LoPrete, used with permission) Concert reviews from the first leg of the tour have been consistently positive. Writers have remarked how true the artists’ voices are still today to the original records from the 60s and 70s. Also noted is the high energy that the artists show on ...

Many of you know that Susan Rakis, Concert Coordinator for The Buckinghams has also been with the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and so this event is close to her heart in two ways. The Buckinghams headlined the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouts Birthday Celebration in Chicago's Grant Park on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. "Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 8, for the first Girl Scout Cookie Classic, to be held in Chicago’s Grant Park, in a celebration that starts with a 5K Run/Walk race to begin a day that features first-class music entertainment, food, fun and more. The nationally acclaimed pop-rock band, The Buckinghams will perform, as will Girl Scout music legend, Melinda Caroll, and teen favorite pop band, Savvy. And that’s just for starters." To read the rest of the story and check out the photos, click here .

For classic rock concertgoers, there's no better time than summer to enjoy music performed in festivals, arenas, and concert halls across the country. Families often plan their vacations around music they want to hear and shows they want to attend. The 26th Anniversary Happy Together Tour is in full swing again, providing multiple opportunities for music lovers to catch their favorite classic artists in concert. Recognize these guys? No, it's not Lady Gaga's roadies: It's Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, aka Flo and Eddie, aka The Turtles. This year's tour began July 8th in Westbury, NY, and toured across Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, back to Pennsylvania, Florida, and Georgia. So, after three straight weeks of shows, the tour broke for a week's rest. That rest was short-lived for Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna because The Buckinghams traveled, with their full band, to Ocean City, NJ and then to Pensacola, FL for a private...

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...