The Buckinghams in Concert

Baby Boomers across Chicago and anyone who listened to rock n’ roll radio around the country in the past 50 years likely knows the name Dick Biondi, aka “The Wild Itralian.” Biondi remains a beloved DJ who made friends and loyal listeners wherever the radio waves would broadcast, from Los Angeles to his native New York, and anywhere 50,000 watts reached in between. Word is making its way around the music community that the beloved icon passed away on June 26, at the age of 90. If ever there was one among a leader board of favorite Chicago DJs whose personality shined across the nighttime, it was Biondi. Credited as the very first American DJ to debut a Beatles record on air, and best known by Chicago music icons as the “man who gave us our first big breaks” with local airplay” when they were first beginning, Dick Biondi was the teenage musician’s friend. Carl Giammarese, lead singer of The Buckinghams, said today, “Dick gave so many of us our first big breaks on r...

Photo: Courtesy Rock&Roll Hall of Fame, Joliet. The Illinois Rock & Roll Museum has announced another superb milestone in its progress of making Joliet, Illinois, the destination home of the most important and dynamic musicians ever born in the state. On Friday, Jan. 20, at 5:00 p.m., the public is invited to the official lighting ceremony for the Giagantar at the Museum. This wonderful 24-foot sculpture was made specifically for the museum and according to the Joliet News, The “world’s largest hand-made guitar,” called Gigantar, crossed over five states last weekend before its arrival in Joliet. The artist is Shannon McDonald who is known for her entertainment industry artwork (see her website here), has been lauded by many, including Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick (pictured below), Sylvester Stallone, and Diane Sawyer. As part of the museum’s growth and development, President and Founder Ron Romero continues to bring together in Joliet some of the most exciting eve...

Chicago music lovers and classic rock devotees mourn the loss of Jimy Sohns, who passed away today at 5:10 p.m. this evening, following a recent stroke. The loss of Jimy, whose performances of classic favorite songs remained 100% as strong as when he first performed them in the 1960s, is still hard to believe. [Photo: Ides of March video screenshot] At age 75, the showman was not only the lead singer of the Shadows of Knight; he was a longtime favorite key player in the preeminent ensemble best known as Chicago’s Cornerstones of Rock. There’s no question that in the 1960s, two national capitals ruled record releases when major labels held court—New York and Los Angeles. Yet, by the mid-1960s, Chicago became an unofficial “third coast,” producing a core group of bands beloved in teen clubs and sock hops first, who eventually made their way to guest appearances on national TV shows as their songs emerged on national charts. The Buckinghams, The Ides of March, The New Colony...

One of the best things about being a creative artist is that the New Year is a time to look back at the preceding 365 days and assess where you’ve grown and stretched the preceding year. Asking yourself frankly, “So what did you do last year?” “Did you change any lives? “Did you tackle any new challenges?” you must answer honestly. For an established musician or band, almost anytime you take a step away from “home base,” or the thing that audiences and fans know you for, you take a chance. What if, someone decides it’s a little different, or far afield, from what you’ve done before? What if, it showcases you in a brand new light? What happens to the original thing you’ve come to be known for? The answer is: You just made “great” become “greater.” Simply put, it’s like the Grammy-winning Jim Peterik model of music. One day, he cowrites a new song with Brian Wilson for The Beach Boys (“That’s Why God Made the Radio”), or he presents his World Stage Project, or he does a video for his...

Don’t wait until “Later” to get your tickets for one of the best evenings of entertainment that’s perfect for date night. On Monday, August 16, hometown audiences will enjoy a great time with two of Chicago’s true gems in classic rock, Jim Peterik (Ides of March) and Carl Giammarese (The Buckinghams). Who better than these hometown boys to share music and memories from classic rock gems that Baby Boomers embrace still to this day? After a hectic weekend of trying to make everyone's summer vacation perfect, you deserve an evening out, just to kick back, take a deep breath, and restore yourself. Hit songs are Jim Peterik’s calling card, whether “You Wouldn’t Listen,” “Vehicle” and “LA Goodbye” by The Ides of March, cowriter of “Hold on Loosely,” “Caught up in You,” and “Rockin’ into the Night” (38 Special), “Eye of the Tiger” (Survivor), as well as collaborations with the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson, among so many others. Carl Giammarese is the founding member of The Bu...

With everyone ready to return to entertainment as part of their "normal" lives each weekend in Chicago, the Genesee Street Cabaret offered trial programming to gauge the popularity of a safe, new way to enjoy live music. On May 1, 2021, they'd planned for a 6pm show for audiences to enjoy an acoustic evening with two classic rock favorites, Jim Peterik and Carl Giammarese, who are multifaceted professionals. Peterik, of course, is a founding member of The Ides of March, a talented songwriter, as well as a jingle composer. His 1970 song, “Vehicle” found its way up to #2 on the Billboard charts as just one example. Jim continues to be the pride of Berwyn, where he grew up. Beyond their legendary band of guys (The Ides) who’ve been as close as brothers through the years, Jim has also achieved national distinction and acclaim. He cowrote songs such as “Eye of the Tiger” and “High on You” with Frankie Sullivan for the band Survivor and “Hold on Loosely” with Don Barnes...

Are you ready to go back, back, back in time to when two Chicago native singer-songwriters, vocal champs, and guitar fanatics began building their repertoire of songs (and guitar collections) that would become iconic? Whether Billboard Chart toppers or deep tracks that so many Chicagoans and Midwest music lovers know by heart, these two anchors of their bands “The Ides of March” and “The Buckinghams” bring you the excitement of their respective “Cornerstones of Rock” collective show that you’ll enjoy later this year. “And as I board my plane Something inside my brain Hates to wave L.A. goodbye, aye L.A. goodbye, aye, aye" ~~Jim Peterik “Music everywhere Music fills the air Feeling it running down your spine Feel it taking over your mind Celebrate with a bottle of wine And some music everywhere.” ~~Carl Giammarese “…Then I touched your hand I could hear you whisper The search is over Love was right before my eyes” ~~Frank Sullivan and Jim Peterik Indeed, as Jim has written:...

This story is one for the archives! On Valentine's Day 2017, the ultimate entertainment producer and grand host, our very good friend, Ron Onesti, welcomed Chicago natives back into his "home stage" in St. Charles, the one and only Arcada Theatre. Thanks to Pamela Pulice of the Dick Biondi Film Project for sharing a photo of the marquee. The music of Jimy Sohns, Jim Peterik, Ronnie Rice, New Colony Six, the Cryan Shames, The Ides of March, Colin Peterik, Ted Aliota, and The Buckinghams was heard to another sold-out crowd and even the Dick Biondi Film Project team was on hand, doing live broadcasts from the Arcada for people to enjoy on Facebook. Snapshots of each group performing were shared so people who couldn't get there would be included in the fun. Ron writes as well as he produces concerts, so we'll share the first three paragraphs and then give you the link so you can read the original article for its own beautiful self. Ron, as always thanks so much f...

Paula Monaco shared these photos first on The Buckinghams' Facebook page. They're reposted here as a mini-concert album of a great evening. WLS-FM DJ Dick Biondi, a great friend of The Buckinghams, was on hand to introduce the entertainers. The evening's entertainment began with The Ides of March, Jim Peterik and the entire band offered a great show. Schaumburg's special event celebrated its 40th anniversary of Septemberfest. The fest was also a great opportunity to introduce several talented Schaumburg high school students, pageant finalists for college scholarships. As the young ladies were introduced, they announced their intention to study in colleges across the country in demanding, challenging academic majors. As the sun went down, the Schaumburg Township was in good voice and full force, as a crowd-18,000 strong-as Dick Biondi announced, had assembled. Time to celebrate Chicagoland and hear The Buckinghams as Mr. Biondi introduced Carl Bonafede, former Manager of...

In today's Pioneer Press, Franklin Park Herald Journal , Oak Park, IL, and the Elm Leaves Edition, check out Chuck Fieldman's story. A bit of it is excerpted here. For the full story, go to http://www.pioneerlocal.com/elmwoodpark/news/1636375,elmwood-park-chicago60s-062509-s1.article Chicago rockers come to town for Freedom Fest June 23, 2009 By CHUCK FIELDMAN cfieldman@pioneerlocal.com The live entertainment scheduled for July 3 at Elmwood Park's Freedom Fest certainly offers a trip down memory lane, especially for baby boomers who spent hours listening to radio hits of the 1960s. Two of the Chicago area bands of that era are on the July 3 bill at Elmwood Park High School, 8201 W. Fullerton Ave. The Ides of March, featuring Jim Peterik, are scheduled to perform at 7 p.m., followed by The Buckinghams, featuring Carl Giammarese, at 9:30 p.m. The Buckinghams, with original members Giammarese on lead vocals and Nick Fortuna on bass and vocals, had a run of national and local ...