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...

Thanks to Concert Coordinator, Susan Rakis, Buckinghams' fans have some great photos of behind the scenes at their rehearsal for the latest Cornerstones of Rock show last month on November 26, 2022. Performers included The Ides of March, The New Colony Six, and The Cryan’ Shames, The Buckinghams and, representing the longtime lead singer of the Shadows of Knight, Jimy Sohns, was “Dirty Dan” Buck. Special to the band for this concert was The Buckinghams' drummer Tommy Scheckel, who played with the band from 1985-2010 before joining Paul Revere and the Raiders for many years. Soundcheck photos by Susan: And special thanks also to Jeannie Mikota, the "Sunset Princess" of The Ides of March, we have some terrific performance photos as well: The popularity of the Cornerstones of Rock Shows has skyrocketed since its 2015 debut . Originally envisioned as a larger collective of Chicago-area bands “one more time,” this original concept is as much the b...

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...

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:...

Mayfair Park in Westchester Village, Illinois will be part of a week-long event honoring Vietnam Veterans. On Friday, November 6th, The Buckinghams and the Ides of March will be featured entertainment in a benefit concert for the Wounded Heroes Foundation, which provides injured men and women of the armed forces with care packages. From online web stories: “Bringing The Moving Wall to our community to honor and respect those that have made the ultimate sacrifice provides our residents and neighbors with an opportunity they would never otherwise have,” states Village President Sam Pulia. “It will be a privilege to count you among those who witness and experience The Moving Wall in the village of Westchester.” Westchester Moving Wall events opened with: • A presentation by Roger Mattingly, a military photographer for Stars and Stripes during the Vietnam War on Thursday, Nov. 5 Today's feature: • Charity Concert featuring The Buckinghams and The Ides of March on Friday, Nov. 6. All th...