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...

This Mother’s Day there’s a very special concert coming to Ron Onesti’s Arcada Theatre, a favorite venue for all of Chicago’s Baby Boomer audiences to whom live music means the world. On Sunday, May 14, a rare pairing of two tremendous bands composed of beloved native Chicagoans will perform an afternoon of chart-topping hits that serve doubly as being launched in Chicago before the bands became famous across the United States. Arcada Theatre fans will definitely remember in 2015 when Danny Seraphine was the guest drummer with the Chicago Experience in an historic concert and fund-raiser for the late Marty Grebb, keyboardist for The Buckinghams in the 1960s. Audiences will enjoy the music of Chicago the city, Chicago the band, and Chicago the birthplace of a definitive pop rock horn sound when California Transit Authority (CTA) with Danny Seraphine and Jeff Coffey and special guests, The Buckinghams, take the stage, beginning at 5pm. It’s the perfect way to cap off Mother...

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...

When you get a concert ticket to a show you're looking forward to, you’re not expecting anything out of the ordinary beyond a great performance. For Chicago filmmaker Pamela Pulice, though, Saturday’s Cornerstones of Rock Concert was an unforgettable surprise, thanks to the generosity of Arcada Theatre owner Ron Onesti and the Cornerstones artists. [Photo by Jim Summaria.] When Ron called Pam Pulice and Joseph Farina, Director of Marketing & Communications for the film, to the stage, they didn't realize that two music lovers were in the audience, both of whom were poised for maximum generosity, could change the film's future so quickly. Backstage, all the musicians of the Cornerstones bands had autographed a guitar for auction. Onesti went to work as auctioneer and funds for the Biondi documentary were secured. In fact, a second guitar was signed and auctioned to another winning bidder for the same amount. This photo shows Ron Onesti, Pam Pulice, and Joe Farin...

To those in Chicago who look forward to attending the annual Columbus Day Parade, it is especially memorable for those of Italian heritage, thanks to Christopher Columbus, whom we celebrate for discovering America in 1492. Pride in family heritage runs strong, in Chicago and in every city across the country, but in the case of Chicago's Columbus Day annual celebration, one need only look to the JCCIA , which stands for the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. When JCCIA current president Ron Onesti, CEO of Onesti Entertainment (The Arcada, Des Plaines Theatre, and several other venues), was planning for the 2021 Columbus Day Parade, he reached out to the Sanfilippo family (Jasper’s widow Marian and their five children who are involved in the success of the business still today—John, Jim, Jeffrey, Lisa, and Jasper). Jasper B. Sanfilippo was one of Chicago’s most respected philanthropists, who founded a company built on nut and snack foods called John B. Sanfilippo & ...

“The activities that have been made possible for The Buckinghams as a band and me personally have been substantial this year. It’s a period of reflection for me as we’ve just celebrated Thanksgiving, we’re in the season of Hanukkah, and the Advent season where we await Christmas. At this time more than any other time of the year, I reflect on how fortunate I feel to be “from Chicago” and to have made this amazing city my home for my entire life.” Those are the words of Carl Giammarese from a recent phone interview. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of “getting ready for the holidays” and the busy-ness of business, planning for concert appearances, making travel plans for the upcoming concert dates and then maintaining proficiency at keeping the highest performing caliber that audiences have come to expect. This weekend The Buckinghams will be performing in what has come to be one of the most popular shows each year—the Cornerstones of Rock show, that started in t...

To those in Chicago who look forward to attending the annual Columbus Day Parade, it is especially memorable for those of Italian heritage, thanks to Christopher Columbus for discovering America. The year 2021 Parade marked the 69th annual parade, held on State Street. [L to R: Carl Bonafede, Rocky Penn, Carl Giammarese, Carlo Isabelli, Nick Fortuna, Bruce Soboroff. Photo by Susan Rakis.] Pride in one’s family heritage runs strong, in Chicago and in every city across the country, but in the case of the Columbus Day annual celebration, one need only look to the JCCIA, which stands for the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans. [Photo courtesy of San Filippo Foundation, Facebook page.] When JCCIA current president Ron Onesti, CEO of Onesti Entertainment (The Arcada, Des Plaines Theatre, and several other venues), was planning for the 2021 Columbus Day Parade, he reached out to the Sanfilippo family (Jasper Sr.’s widow, Marian, and their five children continue to be inv...

If you’ve been on the fence about being able to attend Sunday’s great 89th Birthday Bash for Dick Biondi, Chicagoland’s beloved Radio Hall of Fame and Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame DJ, you’re in luck. The Arcada Theatre is where you want to be at 2pm Sunday, Sept. 19th because that’s when the big show begins! Get your $49 SALE tickets here ! Pam Pulice, Director of “The Dick Biondi” Film shared, “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we have a limited amount of $49 seats to Dick Biondi’s Big 89 Birthday Bash! 9 Bands, 1 Show.” She urges, “Get your tickets while they last.” Naturally The Buckinghams will be one of the nine bands appearing, and their drummer Rocky Penn and guitarist Dave Zane will back Felix Cavaliere, thereby becoming temporary Rascals. The show lineup also features The Ides of March, the New Colony 6, The Cave Dwellers, Rosie & the Rivets, Hot Rocks Rolling Stones Tribute, Jimy Sohns of The Shadows of Knight, and Hall of Fame Blues Drummer Merle Pe...

On Sunday, September 19, you’re invited to Ron Onesti’s Arcada Theatre, in St. Charles, IL, for an unforgettable special event, all in celebration of Dick Biondi’s 89th birthday. The nationally recognized DJ was on WLS-AM 890 back in the days when Chicago groups were coming to national prominence thanks to 50,000 Watts of broadcast power and the power of his outstanding promotion and that of station executives. Filmmaker Pam Pulice, founder of The Dick Biondi Documentary, close to completion, is supporting the event, together with host Ron Onesti at the historic Arcada Theatre. Several nationally acclaimed and Chicagoland musicians from our historic concert lineup over the past six decades will be present. Some groups will be participating in a bonus VIP experience as well. Unfortunately, The Buckinghams will not be able to be part of the VIP experience for this event, so please purchase your VIP tickets for others who indicate they will be present at 12-2 pm, but The Bucki...

The Buckinghams' Carl Giammarese shared information about tentative new concert dates as he has them. And, he wanted to sing a few songs for you, from his home studio. Enjoy his video! New Concert Dates (We Will Keep Updating The Schedule as We Have It) To All Our Fans: On behalf of The Buckinghams, we have all of you in our prayers for your safety and financial security and well-being during these days that can be very stressful. We know that going to concerts and the routine of what used to be everyday life can definitely be the least of your concerns right now. We understand and look forward to a day when that "curve flattens" and the spread of COVID-19 is halted, and an antidote or cure can be found, manufactured and distributed. We will stay positive at all times that we as a country, our states and our local governments are working together for the best solutions for us all. We're all doing everything we can to follow the CDC health guidelines and maint...

On the first day of a new year and a new decade, friends and family of Marty Grebb read a post on his Facebook page that sparked instant concern. The composition he shared had required much thought, and in it, Marty shared his love, regard, concern, and caring for virtually every person he’d worked with professionally, loved in his lifetime, and showed how deep his feelings ran for an earlier day and time when his body and mind were not wracked in pain by the five types of cancer he said he’d battled over time. The outpouring of love and support, expressions of concern, reminders of so many who had friended him on Facebook and felt as though they’d really known him, were nothing short of amazing. Offers of “please call me” or “we are worried about you” or “hang on, brother, we are here” filled the comments section. If there were a point in time when he was wavering in his attitude about what his plan was, everyone did whatever they could yesterday, New Year’s Day, to show their supp...

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...