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

[dgriffin]

Jon,
Here's an unsolicited testimonial. I never heard you play this particular instrument, but of course since we played together for a while I can attest to your excellent and professional musicianship. And I heard Jimmy Hanna play his version of this. Anyway ... just wanted to say to those who never heard these "one man bands," that before midi and PC's these were what lone musicians used to provide themselves a rhythm section, bass, percussion and whatever else they could put together. They often used pedals from an organ assembly, little switches on the guitar and even in the frets, knee paddles, harmonica or other wind instruments. And let me tell you, the sound produced was terrific in the hands, knees, feet and elbows of an experienced One Man Band.

[dgriffin]

NOTE:
I've copied the contents and photos from the CNY Forum threads "Utica's Bands of the Fifties" and "The Seed of Small Bands in Utica" into a large Word file for historical purposes. I will add this thread in the near future and try to keep the doc updated. If anyone wants a copy ... and I hope I'm not breaking any copyright laws ... let me know I'll email it to you. If you haven't seen all the posts over in these two threads on the CNYForum, they are a treasure trove of names, photos, anecdotes, and great memories.

[frankcor]

Apr 25, 2008 10:29:07 GMT -5 bobbbiez said:

Many a good band played there and that was the place where I first got to see the Chippendale's perform.

NOW I remember you! You were a great tipper!

[Clipper]

;D she felt sorry for ya Frank. She thought ya needed to fill the front of your shorts with something, that's why she gave ya all those wadded up singles, hahahahahahah!

[bobbbiez]

Frankie, where are you???

[bobbbiez]

I got a tip for you!

[dgriffin]

I'm missing something, here, but since I retired to live out my days at the convent as caretaker, I feel like the world sometimes passes me by.

[dan]

Nothing new. Bobbbiez is stalking Frank to extract a pound of flesh about a comment he made in the Rangers thread. She's systematicly going to every post he's made and leaving bread crumbs.

[dgriffin]

Oh. Well, I meant the chippendales. As for Bobbiez, I gave up trying to figure out what she's doing. Thanks, Dan.

[Clipper]

SShhhhhhh!!! If she is looking for Frank, she ain't on MY ass, haha!

[jon hynes]

[jon hynes]

Eddie 'Flame' Arcuri 11-24-43 to 3-18-93

This is the best I could find at the moment.

[jon hynes]

The first Music Man on 49 was later called Bojangles when Don DeLuca leased it from Mike

[jon hynes]

The Contracts

Bob Caswell-Drums   Martin Naida-Bass   John Rodzinka-Lead Guitar

Joe Smith-Rhythm     Harold Muthig-Saxophone

[bobbbiez]

Yepper jonhynes, you're right! I couldn't remember that for the life of me. Hey, together we're doing okay taxing the memories, , and they are good ones for sure.

Thanks for all the pictures. Remember when Charlie's on the Square turned into a strip joint? We went there a couple of times to see a transvestites show, which I have to say was fantastic. Boy, I know I'm going to get ribbed on that one by certain people on this forum. Oh well, nothing new.

Eddie's picture looks just as I remember him.
You said he passed away in 1993. Now, I know why I never found out. I was going through a battle with cancer and had major surgery the year before because of it. Took a long time to deal with it, so I'm sure I wouldn't have been told anyways.
What did Eddie died of? Sad because he was too young.

Do you have any pictures of yourself back then or even at the present? I'm sure if I know you, I'll still be able to tell from whatever picture. ;D Don't be bashful.

Well, I better get my dupa to bed. Have a busy day tomorrow. Friends of ours here are giving us a going-away barbecue because we'll be moving back to Utica next Friday for good and I'm sure it'll be a long, but fun day. ;D

Thanks again for the pictures, especially the one of Eddie.
Catch ya soon.
Blessings to you and yours.