After Bebop A Lula: Utica Bands 50's 60's

[bobbbiez]

jonhynes, do I know you? I graduated from UFA in 1961 and also had three other sisters that went there to. Does the name, Pilnicki, sound familiar to you?
We hung out at Schoolview right across from school. In fact, both my girlfriends, both Barbaras, married Joe and Norm Saccal.

We lived at the Parkway and went skating there almost every night that it was open. in fact, Carl and John were usually around us. We might have met through school or through John and Carl. That would be cool.

[jon hynes]

Hi bobbbiez

I'm quite sure we must have met sometime somewhere. (in this world or another) The name is very familiar. I hung around Chuck's Confectionery, Charlie's on the Square and Maria's Pizza next door.
I was a mid-term most of my school mates graduated in 62 but I hung out 'til 63. Too bad the teachers didn't realize I had dyslexia or lysdexia and pretty much couldn't read. I knew many kids from the 61 class though. I think I saw a post that said you were a waitress at the Ramada when it was on Burstone Rd. I had a Cousin that waitressed there too. Sharon Katatto. I played there a couple of times with a Guitar player I had never met before hand. Didn't do that good 'cause I had never heard any of the songs before. Even though I knew 10s of thousands of songs. Maybe he wrote them all himself.

[bobbbiez]

Yep, hung out at the same places, along at Kewpie's also. ;D

Don't recall your cousin's name, but doesn't mean I don't know her. People came and went so often that I do remember them by face instead of name. Do you remember what years she worked there? That might help me to remember.
I do remember the girl in charge of the dining room and head hostess was Kathy. Sh-t! Can't remember Kathy's last name. See what I mean. Kathy was there for years.
The head cook was Art. Funny guy and very nice. He also was there for years.

Did you know Tony Sheheen? He played at Ventura's for over 23 years and many other places all over the area. He also played at Trinkus Manor in Oriskany for years till it burned.
God, remembering, there weren't too many places he didn't play. He was the best violinist ever but he could play any instrument you could think of.
He and I are good friends with Tony Joseph who played in Ivory Tower. Tony J., is now retired but his band was very, very popular and had a great following.

Tony S., was my "bestest" friend for 30 years. Passed away in 2002 and I miss him. No one like him.

[jon hynes]

bobbbiez

There are sooo many Tony Josephs in this area. I did know the one in Ivory Tower. Heard him play at the Club Monarch. He had recognized me and we talked. I was thinking he was the Tony that lived across the street from me years back and asked how how had lost all that weight. Didn't find out until much later that it wasn't the same Tony Joseph. I'm pretty sure they were cousins and that he remembered me from visits to the other Joseph's house. Another cousin Larry Joseph played drums at one time. Jim Joseph from the Boilermaker and the Curling Champ in a wheelchair Then there's the Tony Joseph at the Presbytarian Home and another one in Rome and on and on . . .

Tony Sheheen doesn't ring a bell with me at this time. The only violin player I can remember didn't give his name when he would play at Jamborees. Don't ever remember hearing any music at Ventura's when I was there.

Did you know John or Jim Porter from Kernan? They both played guitar. Jim started up with Sarcus Sageer as the Guitar Stars and came out with a record Linda My Linda. Later with the Electras and Later with Looking Back.

[bobbbiez]

Yes, that's the Tony J., I know quite well. He plays the key board and has a great singing voice. He makes me cry every time he sings my favorite song, "Lady", to me. He lived and still lives on Rutger Street. He played with Ivory Tower at Club monarch all the time and that was and still is our regular hang out. Elaine Hickel, owner, is a very dear friend of mine and I always stop there to chat with her on our visits back. Rich, Elaine's late husband was Tony Sheheen's cousin. Sadly, Rich died just before Tony S., at the very young age of 46 years old. Both deaths were shockers. Both massive heart attacks and died instantly.

I also know Tony Joseph who is the Administrator of the Presbyterian Home. He is a cousin of my late girlfriend, T.R. (Thelma Roy who ran T.R.'s After hours Breakfast Place on Bleecker Street for years). Thelma's ex husband owned the old, Partners Choice, in Marcy. I worked for him also.

Yes, I knew the Porters, but not that well. Weren't they younger then me or maybe older?

Great talking about many of these people that we both know and were a big part in my life and are no longer with us. Wonderful memories. Thank you for the opportunity and for pacifying me.

[jon hynes]

Okay that's the Tony that lived on Leah Street across the street from me. Sister Theresa, Father Hot John and Mother Anna. He sells cars at his house on Rutgar Street. So it was really him that lost all that weight. Wow. I thought I saw someone go by me while waiting for a light that looked just like the Tony from years past. So that's what confused me. Thanks for straightening me out. Truly wonderful people.

I guess everybody knew Thelma. I went there often. Donna Pugleese was one of the waitresses there and used to babysit for one of my sons Shawn.

Jim Porter is 44 and John is a year or two older.

Were you at Partner's Choice when Eddie Arcuri played there?

[bobbbiez]

Yep, that's Tony's and his family. He still sells the used cars but not much more then that. Real bad back. He and one of his former girlfriends were going karaoke for awhile but eventually stopped doing that to.
He and Tony Sheheen use to do parties and weddings together after he got done with the band Ivory Tower. He on the key board and Tony S. on the violin. They were a great duo. ;D

Figured you knew my Thelma. All of us that worked bars and lounges in some way, would end our evenings of work at TR's Place for Congetta's delicious giambrott.
Went to visit Congetta over the Christmas holiday. She's doing real good for her age. Just love that woman. What a great cook she is.
Saw Donna and her Mom at the Oneida Casino to. She arranges the bus trips for people, mostly seniors, to take them to the Casino. She hasn't changed. Still as nutty as ever, but then we all are. Funny, funny girl and people here on the forum think I talk alot. They haven't met Donna.

When T.R. got sick I ran her restaurant for her many times, so we probably have met.
She passed away last year and I was honored by her family and asked to give her eulogy. My friend for 28 years and she is greatly missed.
I keep in touch with her daughter, Anita, and son-in-law, Sy Rotundo. Great kids!

Now I remember the Porter kids. They went to Kernan with my two older sons who also played in bands at one time when they were younger.

Eddie Arcuri did play when I worked there. He also played at the other place across the road (which I can't remember the name. It was owned by two brothers) in Marcy, the Vista in Yorkville and Club Monarch. Eddie would know who I was if he saw me.
Oh, I think the name of the other place was called, Brothers Two.
Boy, I am really taxing my mind. lol!!!!!!!!!!!

Small world my friend and getting smaller and smaller as we talk.

[jon hynes]

Sorry to hear about Tony. Every time I go by the house I look to see if someone's outside. Would like to stop and say hello if I saw someone there.

Jim Porter is 64 (not 44) and John is a year or two older. I was thinking one thing and wrote another.

Eddie Arcuri died an eternity ago. We were best buds and we played in Bands together. Then practiced together the one man thingie. Eventually we both started playing out. He was worlds better than I was but he tutored and encouraged me all the time.

Mike Cieola Had The Music Man on Oriskany Blvd and Woods Rd. Then he and his brother opened The Music Man / Brothers Two in the little strip mall next door.

They owned Music Man / Brothers Two on the other side of the road from Partners Choice, then leased it to Don DeLuca. Mike's son Paul later ran The Music Man in the strip mall on Mohawk and Rt 49. He had quite a few good bands from time to time. Also had Jeff Glatt playing during the week and Bob Perry played there quite a bit too.

[frankcor]

Let me get this straight. There were three Barbaras in UFA's class of '61? And you all hung out together? Please don't tell me you all wore your hair teased up in behives? One spark and the hair spray could have burned the school down.

I'll bet you were hell on wheels.

[bobbbiez]

jonhynes, I didn't know Eddie passed away to. Really very sorry to hear that. What year did he leave us?

Thanks for bringing back my thoughts.

Mike Cieola and his brother were together in their place, Music Man, in Marcy. They sold it to Don D. I remember the Bandella Brothers played there. Joe Nuccio, (Joe was my first boyfriend in high school ), and Barry. Forgot the third members name but he moved to Florida. Wasn't it still called the Music Man when Don D. owned it?

Mike C. and his brother then opened Brothers Two in the little Mall near Whitesboro High School on Oriskany Blvd. Then Mike and his brother split and one kept Brothers Two and the other opened the lounge further down on the Blvd., but not sure if it was called the Music Man. Wish I could remember. Anyways, then the Bandella Brothers ran it for awhile but it flopped soon after. Was sorry to see that place close. Always hung there and had some great times there.

If you played with Eddie then I should know who you are. Have any pictures of yourself then? I do of myself then but don't know how to put them on my computer or even if I could. It's making me crazy trying to remember everyone. ;D

Oh, oh, I just remembered the third member's name of the Bandella Brothers. Just his first name. It was John. I'm so happy with myself. Hey, I still got it.

[bobbbiez]

Yep Frank, three Barbaras. Barb Pilnicki (married Vinny Salerno), Barb Lubertine (married Norm Saccal), Barb Zegarelli (married Joe Saccal), and one Penny Picornis. Penny use to go steady with Sonny Scavone. In fact they did get married but later divorced. She runs a health clinic with Barb L. in Texas now. Her parents owned the old Gateway Motel in N.Utica.
Don't know about us being "hell on wheels", but we were all hot.

Sorry Frank, no beehives for us girls at UFA. Usually very long and in a ponytail tied with scarves to match our blouses.
The beehives were all at Proctor High School. They're probably still wearing them because of all the hair spray they use to keep it all together with . ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[bobbbiez]

Oh jonhynes, I'm sooooooooooooooo good! ;D
It haunted me all night long what the other place was called by Woods Road and I finally got it. It was called "REGGIE'S."
You wouldn't believe what my mind went through all night to remember that.

Reggie's for years was "thee" place to go and we always had a ball there. Many a good band played there and that was the place where I first got to see the Chippendale's perform.

[bobbbiez]

Read back on our postings and I'm not sure if you realized I was speaking of Tony Sheheen who passed away and not Tony Joseph. Tony Joseph "is" alive and well except for a bad back.

Hope I didn't mess ya up on that one for awhile . ;D

[jon hynes]

You did confuse me. I thought you said it was the Three Barbaras that had a Toni, used a lot of hairspray, got stung by bees and died. Yes I understood Tony Joseph is still alive. Even though I am still very confused. Did they go to Proctor or UFA? And where did they buy hairspray for a Penny?

Yes you're right it was Reggie's. I ran new gas lines through the building for Neil, but never went back after it opened.

[jon hynes]

frankcor - Dave thought you might get a kick out of this.



This is what I used. It weighs about 60 lbs. I added some electronics to it to replicate the Leslie cabinet with speed switches. The neck was like trying to fit your hand around a telephone pole. And the strings had to be off the fretboard or they would short to the fret and produce an unwanted note or notes. What a bear it was to play. But you'd swear it was a B3 and guitar playing together.

cnyforum.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1661&start=90