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Post by kit on Jan 24, 2018 7:40:54 GMT -5
Another respected musician passed away in Utica on January 18, 2018.
Tom Yacovella, who with his wife Joanne had a duo named "The Plainfolk" for 15 years. I saw them while photographing several wedding receptions as well as other venues over the years. They both played guitar and had beautiful voices.
Among several other talents, Tom was a renowned wildlife sculptor and painter whose paintings won several awards, and his sculpture of "Tribute to the Whitetail" is featured in the 'Wonders of Wildlife' museum in Springfield, Missouri.
Tom was 79 years old.
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Post by clarencebunsen on Jan 24, 2018 13:25:37 GMT -5
Another respected musician passed away in Utica on January 18, 2018. Tom Yacovella, who with his wife Joanne had a duo named "The Plainfolk" for 15 years. I saw them while photographing several wedding receptions as well as other venues over the years. They both played guitar and had beautiful voices. Among several other talents, Tom was a renowned wildlife sculptor and painter whose paintings won several awards, and his sculpture of "Tribute to the Whitetail" is featured in the 'Wonders of Wildlife' museum in Springfield, Missouri. Tom was 79 years old. I met Tom a bit over a year ago. He spoke at our lodge of his life. His mother died when he was young and he and one or two siblings grew up at the Masonic Home. At the end of his life he was once again a Masonic Home resident. I bought one of his prints without any clear idea of what I wanted to do with it. Just remembered when I read the obit that I never got it framed. Nice print, two bucks in the snow entitled "Brother's Keeper." |
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Post by kit on Jan 25, 2018 9:25:17 GMT -5
One thing about Tom...he didn't sculpt and paint for the money. Same with singing with his wife Joanne in "The Plainfolk". It was all about the viewer or listener's appreciation of the art form. True, an artist must get paid something for providing their talent, but that's secondary to many artists. How many musicians from 'the old days' remember playing and singing primarily for the enjoyment of the audience, rather than how much they were getting paid?
On the other hand, with some people it's 'the bottom line' first, regardless of the quality of their product or service. Sadly, there are more of these people nowadays than there are the former.
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Post by clarencebunsen on Nov 5, 2018 9:51:29 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, Jay.
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Post by dicklaurey on Dec 31, 2019 15:46:55 GMT -5
Frannie Loucks
Sad to report the recent passing of Frank "Frannie" Loucks, of Ballston Spa, NY.
Fran was born in 1942 and raised in Utica. He and I were two of the original "Plaids" band, in the mid-1960's. He had a larger than life personality, and, was an excellent musician and singer. The perfect front man for our group, and, responsible for a great deal of our popularity.
The band thing aside, we were fast friends for many years, and, enjoyed many a memorable experience.
Even though we were miles apart, we kept in touch constantly via email.
I will never forget my friend forever, Frannie.
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Post by kayutafox on Jan 6, 2020 12:31:34 GMT -5
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Post by dicklaurey on Apr 17, 2021 10:09:36 GMT -5
Guy Vivenzo passed away on April 9th. Guy was a well known area musician, and, owner of Vintage Limosine Service, in Whitesboro. An excellent singer and saxophonist, he and I were band mates for a number of years in both the Plaids and Bel Aires bands. He had a great sense of humor, and, we shared many memorable experiences with the bands. Even though we hadn't seen each other for many years, I think of him often, now another forever friend gone.
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Post by Clipper on Apr 17, 2021 12:22:45 GMT -5
Another sad loss to the local music community of old. I guess we all are entering the twilight years of or lives and as we age we lose more and more of our friends and family. It seems like every day there is another addition to the list of those we mourn. Sorry for your personal loss of a friend and fellow musician Dick.
You guys played the music that I grew up with, listened to, and danced to during some of the happiest times of my life. I have yet to find any new genre that I enjoy as much as the 50's and 60's music, and my truck radio stays pretty much tuned to the 50's and 60's channel on the Sirius Satellite radio. May Guy rest in peace. If I make it to heaven I hope that you guys are all there, reunited and playing my favorite tunes again.
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Post by dicklaurey on Apr 17, 2021 13:38:46 GMT -5
Clipper- Thank you for the kind thoughts.
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Post by Clipper on Apr 18, 2021 6:49:48 GMT -5
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Post by dicklaurey on Apr 18, 2021 10:11:13 GMT -5
Thank you.
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Post by Clipper on Apr 18, 2021 12:33:33 GMT -5
I just had a phone call from my cousin in Atlanta Dick. I don't know if you every knew my Uncle, Jim Gaylord. He was a drummer and played in several local bands at different times in his younger days. Most notably with Kit Temple and Kenny Aiken's band "The Nightcaps." My cousin Stephanie called me an hour or so ago to tell me that Jim passed away this morning in an Atlanta area hospital. She was sobbing and told me she would get back to me and give me details later on today.
Jim was 76, only two years older than me and we were always more like cousins and buddies than uncle and nephew. We double dated and hung out together often in our teens.
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Post by dicklaurey on Apr 19, 2021 11:04:41 GMT -5
Clipper- Very sorry to hear of your uncle Jim's passing.
The Nightcaps were well known, and, actively playing in the Utica area when I was, however, I never knew any of the band members personally. Most of those bands in the early days of "rock" were made up of late teens and "20 something" guys. Of course, we were invincible, and, thought that we would live forever! I think that we will, but, not in this life.
We leave, each taking his/her turn, and hopefully, the world will be just a little bit better, for our having been here.
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Post by kit on May 20, 2021 6:21:18 GMT -5
Jim Gaylord was a friend of mine for many years, going back to the Utica Citizens Corps Cadets. When he was getting ready to graduate from Utica College we formed a band called The Nitecaps and he was the drummer and lead singer for the next 3 years. We kept in touch on-and-off until he passed in April. We had some great times together when we played on location in Ogdensburg. I'll miss Jim and our chats about old times.
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Post by Clipper on May 20, 2021 7:28:43 GMT -5
I think of him often Kit. I am glad that we had visited him at the assisted living facility not too many months before his passing. I was shocked to hear how quickly he went down hill. He fairly quickly became weak and could barely walk with a walker, then his blood pressure was out of control even though he was on medication. They couldn't put a finger on what was wrong and were doing all sorts of tests but he died before they could get a diagnosis or treat him. He was a great guy and he often reminisced about his days playing with you and Kenny at the Hotel McConville. You guys were great. I remember listening to you play at a tavern on a side street in Little Falls back in the 60's.
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