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Catching Up with Carl Giammarese of The Buckinghams -- Interview by Tom Prestopnik

Before COVID-19 hit the entertainment world and brought live concerts, and seagoing cruises with classic rock favorites to a screeching halt, The Buckinghams had been enjoying traveling the United States and then out of country with the 2020 Flower Power Cruise in the Caribbean. On August 24, 2020, rock collectors' magazine Goldmine published a lengthy, informative interview with Carl. They talked about fun trivia only true Buckinghams' fans would know, like the 13th cut on certain copies of the "Kind of a Drag" album released by USA Records, a small label in Chicago. They also discussed recording at the iconic Chess Studios where Bo Diddley, Howling Wolf, and Muddy Waters once created historic tracks there. Included in the interview was the talent of songwriter James Holvay, who wrote or co-wrote most of the hits by The Buckinghams. Also of interest were Tom and Carl discussing that funky psychedelic break in the song "Susan" and it's fun to see it ...

“Mercy, Mercy, Mercy!” Spotlight on The Buckinghams: An Interview with Carl Giammarese

Our friends, the entertainment reporting duo of Marc and Carol, better known as Love Imagery, published a wonderful interview and review with Carl Giammarese. They took the time to visit with us during the earliest part of the hiatus of all live concerts due to health considerations caused by the activity of the COVID-19 across the country. Love Imagery asked Carl questions about his father's career and passion for music, the types of music he heard around the house as a young man from Chicago growing up in the 1950s. They added several insightful questions about the early days of The Buckinghams as well as questions about Carl's career as a jingle singer and how he was inspired to start performing his "Live from the Basement" video concert series especially for fans of The Buckinghams to enjoy while we wait for the return for live music again. Enjoy reading the full story here by clicking the link below: https://medium.com/spotlight-central/mercy-m...

Remembering John Poulos’ Birthday and A New Video from Carl

This picture is from Carl Giammarese’s personal photo album and it’s of a celebration of John Poulos’ birthday back in the late 60s/early 70s. The cake looks pretty good. Today John would have been 73 years old and without a doubt, he would be one of the most positive voices you looked to for affirmation that, no matter what was going on at the time, things were all going to work out just fine. It’s the basic nature of an optimistic person to want to make things better, to cheer people up when they’re sad, and to take a leadership role in turning a bad situation into a good one. To hear Carl tell stories of their early days together, John was someone whose personality really meshed with his. They had many interests in common and they didn’t fear what was coming tomorrow. Rather than being overly serious about long-term worries, instead John was able to enjoy the moment and capture the joy of being there, something many of us forget to do. Three rare, early photos of The Buckingha...

Remembering John Poulos, 40 Years Later

It’s hard to fathom that it’s been 40 years since The Buckinghams’ leader, drummer John Poulos, passed away at the too-young age of 32. Travel back in time for a few minutes as we remember John through the eyes and memories of his bandmate and friend, Carl Giammarese. First, Carl's video message, especially for friends and fans of The Buckinghams, who’d journeyed with them from their earliest days. John’s legacy of love lives on, and his many gifts and talents are remembered by those who loved him dearly, especially his widow, Dale Fahey, and their daughter, Polly, a talented creative in her own right. And now, flashback to the very beginning. From the band photo (above) the year was 1965 and The Pulsations won a battle of the bands in Chicago, chosen to perform on Chicago’s WGN-TV for 13 weeks on the show, “All Time Hits.” Band members on the show by the 4th week were: [L to R]: Nick Fortuna, Dennis Miccolis, John Poulos (seated), Dennis Tufano, and Carl Giammarese (seated)]....

A Message and Some Music from Carl Giammarese

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...

American Pop! Concert Review Sings Praises of The Buckinghams, The Box Tops, & Grass Roots in New Jersey

New Jersey music fans know and love the concert pairing in the American Pop ! lineup but this year's lineup was found to be exceptional by reviewers Marc and Carol, better known as Love Imagery. Concert lineup for Saturday, February 29th (Leap Day) at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, New Jersey, began with The Box Tops, then The Buckinghams, followed by the Grass Roots. The concert, offered by Paradise Artists, has performed in several venues around the country over the past year. In the full concert review by Spotlight Central found at New Jersey Stage , Love Imagery shared images the most exciting sights and a tremendous review of the sounds of the entire evening, in grand and glorious detail. READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE Click to read the review: https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/2020/03/10/the-best-music-in-the-world-the-grass-roots-the-buckinghams-and-the-box-tops-live-at-bergenpac/ READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE Take a look ...

In Memoriam — Martin Joseph Grebb

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...