HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE' - CHAPTER 154 - GREG SPENCER'S BLUE WAVE RECORDS CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF GREAT MUSIC RELEASES

Blue Wave Records was formed by Greg Spencer in 1983. It's goal of convincing people that local music could be, and often was, terrific. The label's first release was by Syracuse bluesmen the "Kingsnakes" and was produced by Mark Doyle (1985). The label's early recording included great material from such legendary CNY artist as Mark Doyle, Joe Whiting, The Kingsnakes, (Ed) Hamell on Trial and Stroke RnB.

Spencer's label also released a Blue Wave Sampler Cd titled "10th Anniversary Sampler" in 1995. It contained 70+ minutes of Rockin' Blues from the past 10 years from the Blue Wave archives.

Owner-producer Greg Spencer celebrated Blue Wave label's 15th anniversary in February 2000 with the release of a 17-cut highlight album. It featured Kim Lembo, Kim Simmons. Built For Comfort Blues Band, Ronnie D, Backbone Slip, Cub Koda, Tino Gonzales, Kingsnakes, Sean Costello, King Biscuit Boy and Downchild Blues Band.

April 2004, Greg released a compulation album of Jimmy Cavallo' spanning his over 50 years of performing Rock n' Roll called "Rock The Joint". The Jimmy Cavallo Collection 1951-73. 1973 also saw Greg Spencer being inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame (SAMMYS). June 2006 saw the great Jimmy Cavallo team with blueman Ron Spencer in winning a 2006 Sammy Award.

The Blue Wave Record catalog also included the last two volumes of the History of Syracuse Music Album series started some 36 years prior.

December 27, 2015 Greg Spencer celebrated Blue Waves Recxords 30th Anniversary by holding a fantastic live concert at the Palace Theater. This fantastic show mc'd by Dave Frisina featured super-group "The Kingsnakes". On stage that evening were Mark Doyle. Pete McMahon, Terry Mulhauser, Jerry Neeley, Steve Winston, Mark Tiffault, Joe Corello, Frank Grosso to name a few. Congrats goods out to our friend - Greg Spencer

Below is a total Blue Wave Label catalog listing

BW 101    Kingsnakes                   Take A Chance   (1985)
BW102     Doyle-Whiting Band    Good Rockin Tonight  (1985)
BW 103    Stroke RnB                   No Substute  (1985)
BW 104    Kingsnakes                   Hardlife Boogie  (1986)
BW 105    History of Syr Music   Volumes 12 &13  (1986)
BW 106   Doyle-Whiting Band     Flesh & Blood  (1986)
BW 108   Salt City Blues- Volume 1 
BW 109   Arthur Brown & Jimmy Clark Black      Brown, Black & Blue
BW 110   Hamell on Trail              Conviction  (1989)
CD 111    Kingsnakes                     19 Lucky Strikes (1989)
CD 112    Unholy Wives                 When Sanity Sleeps  (1989)
CD 113    Jumpin Joe Whiting        Rhythm n; Groove (1989)
BW 114   Kingsnakes                      Trouble on the Run (1990)
CD 115    Backbone Slip                 Swamp- Water  (1991)
CD 116    Kingsnakes                      Snakes Alive  (1992)
CD 117    Eric Burdon                     The Unreleased Eric Burdon  (1992)
CD 118   Built For Comfort Blues Band     Keep Cool  (1993)
CD 119   Doyle & Whiting              Buried Bones  (1993)
CD 120   Here Comes Another Christmas     Various Artists
CD 121   Cub Koda Collection 1963-93        Welcome To My Job (1993)
CD 122   Backbone Slip                    Avenue Breakdown (1994)
CD 123   (see below *)
CD 124   King Biscuit Boy                Urban Blues RE" Newell (1994)
CD 125   Kim Lembo                         Blue Heat  (1994)
CD 126   Downchild Blues Band       Good Times Guaranteed
CD 127   Kim Lembo                         Mama Lion  (1996)
CD 128   Blue Wave 10th Anniversary Collection - various artists (1995)
CD 129   Built For Comfort Blues Band    High Ballin  (1996)
CD 130   Eric Burdon                                 Unreleased Eric Burdon Vol 2 
CD 131   Kim Simmonds                            Solitaire (1997)
CD 132   Kim Lembo                                 Ready to Ride (1998)
CD 133   Ronnie D                                     Blues Demon (1998)
CD 134   Downchild Blues Band               Lucky 13  (1998)
CD 135   Tino Gonzales                             Double Feature  (1999)
CD 136   Sean Costello & His Jivebombers     Call The Cops
CD 137   Blue Wave 15th Anniversary Collection  (2000)
CD138    Kim Simmonds                             Blues Like Midnight (2001)
CD139    History of Syracuse Music Volume 14  (2000)
CD 140   Kim Lembo & Blue Heat             Paris Burning- Live Chesterfield Café (2000)
CD 141   Downchild Blues Band                A Matter of Time (2000)
CD 142   Kingsnakes                                   Trouble on the Run (2001)
CD 143   Jimmy Cavallo w/ Ron Spencer & Qumpstart - The House Rocker  (2002)
CD 144   Downchild Blues Band                 Body of Work- Collection Vol 2 (2003)
CD 145   Joni James Blues Band                 In The World  (2003)
CD 146   Jimmy Cavallo                              Rock the Joint- Collection 1951-73 (2004)
CD 147   Kingsnakes                                    Hot Snakes. Live Copperfields 1980 (2004)
CD 148   Ron Spencer & Qumpstart            Livin Low (2005)
CD 149   Jimmy Cavallo                              You Better Believe It (2006)
CD 150   Jony James Blue Band                  What About Tommorow  (2006)
CD 151   Kim Simmonds                             Out of the Blue (2008)
CD 152   Savoy Brown                                 Steel
CD 123*  Savoy Brown                                Too Much of A Good Thing (2009)


PRO 001  Kim Lembo & Blue Heat          Steamers
                                                                   (7-song limited edition of 200 pressings)

7243B4484620    Kim Lembo                    Mama Lion
                                                                    (Released in France on Virgin Sky Ranch label)

                             Kim Lembo                     Paris Buring Live at Chesterfield Café
                                                                     (Released in France in 2000)

PASSING OF FOUR GREAT CENTRAL NEW YORK MUSICIANS RECENTLY

Sad to report the passing of four great CNY musicians recently- Worldwide jazz great Mark Murphy (10/23) along with vocalist-frontman Spencer Montague (10/1) and keyboardist of the Alligators- Rick Scapicchio (10/18), sound engineer and technician John "Dawk" Stillwell (12/24) along with Buffalo born- Three Dog Night singer- Cory Wells who resided in Dunkirk, NY

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" CHAPTER 153 - SYRACUSE'S PALACE THEATER HOSTS "THAT METAL SHOW" with EDDIE TRUNK, JIM FLORENTINE & DON JAMIESON

Syracuse once again was in the national spotlight Saturday night November 14th as "That Metal Show" made a stop at the Palace Theater. VH-1 That Metal Shop  hosts Eddie Truck, Don Jamieson & Jim Florentine all took the stage following a great meet and greet session signing autograph and posing for many photos with loyal fans. The Rods- bassist Garry Bordonaro & I visited with all three who shared some of their moment with our great friend Ronnie James Dio as we did out CNY memories as well. Then followed by each member taking the Palace stage for some great humor . Questions were answered about "That Metal Show" as for its production and talent past & present. Then the three gathered on stage together for question that ended with a long session of Eddie's famed- "Stump The Trump". Cd's were given as prizes to those who could stump the trio. It was Eddie Trunk's first visit to Syracuse, while Jim Florentine has performed in local comedy clubs here in the past, the most recent in February 2015.

 

It was my first meeting with Eddie Trunk even though he served as MC at the May 16th, 2015 Ronnie James Dio 5th Year Memorial Service in Hollywood that I attended. It was so busy that day that I wasn't able to say hello to him  from all of us in Central New York.

A Creative Concerts production- Thanks Stacey Waterman.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 152- "RESPECT"- CNY CELEBATES WOMEN IN MUSIC SHOW - SELLS OUT

There have been many great musical events though all my years documenting our Syracuse Music History since the mid 1960's. But Saturday evening November 13, 2015 at the Palace Theater was one of the all-time best. Billed as "Respect" CNY Celebrates Women in Music was one of those special moments in our cities music history. It starts with Joanne Jewett and her dedicated committee who brought this "SOLD OUT" show to all of us. 32 great songs were performed that led to an amazing encore of Aretha Franklin "RESPECT" with all listed below sharing the Palace Theater stage for a magical moment. Truly a great-great night for all. MC's of the event were 93Q's Amy Robins and 'The Rebels" Dave Frisina,

 

The best way to tell you of the shows performers is to list them all A-Z..so here they are- Sharon Allen, Terry Bender, Donna Colton, Ashley Cox, Leila Dean, Melissa Gardiner, Marcia Hagan, Moe Harrington, Maureen Henesey, Sarah Hiltbrand, Joanne Jewett, Nancy Kelly, Kate Kolb, Letizia, Miss E, Kim Monroe, Jess Novak, Joanne Perry, Lisa Romano, Susan Royal, Tamaralee Shutt, Robyn Stockdale, Anna Vogal, Kat Dooley- Wandersee

 

The Respect performers were backed by members of the CNY band "Funkadelphia" that included Kristopher Heels, Frank Neubert, Ken Satterfield and out good friend Andy Rudy, Other's musicians included- Kevin Dean, Chris Eves, Brian Golden, Tony Greene, Brett Hobin, Bob Kane, Jeff Martin, Langston Masingale, Leslie Michel. Mark Nanni, Sam Paterelli Tim Robison, Dave Rockower, Jeff Unaitis and Joe Zarr.

 

Throughout the evening many stopped by to say hello including Dave Frisina. Liz Nowak, John Mangicaro, Don Shoudy , Debbie Foley, Tim Robinson, Mark Nanni, Joanne Perry,  Steve Schad, Julie Briggs, Carol Thoryk-O'Leary, Sharon Allen, Susan Royal, Kim Monroe, Royce McManus, Jordan Davies, Tom Honan, MaryKay Manns, Kate Kolb, Jack O Bocchino, Stacey Waterman, Langston Masingale, Leila Dean, Kevin Dean, Andy Rudy to name just a few.

A fantastic evening that we will all remember for a very long time. We applaud there amazing efforts. "Respect'  CNY Celebrates Women in Music was in support of The Centers of St. Camillus.

 

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 151 - OTIS & ALL NIGHT WORKERS, OTIS SMITH & LLOYD BASKIN

This Syracuse University rhythm n blues band was first known on the SU campus as "The Headliners" (1963-64) Billy Elmiger (bass, formerly with the Vanguards), Steve McCord (guitarist formerly with Felix Cavaliere & The Escorts), Herb Flower (drums formerly of the Techniques) and were managed by Joe Davoli. They later who add Lloyd Baskin on keyboard

 Lloyd Baskin and Billy Elmiger went looking for a new lead singer. They found that singer in Otis Smith the former Rhythm Cadet and drummer for Bobby Green & The Hi Fi's was singing in the ward bars in downtown Syracuse. Then a name change from Otis & the Headliners to "All Night Workers". The groups name came from the old Rufus Thomas song "I'm An All Night Worker" a name that finally all members agreed upon. With this new lineup the band became Otis & The All Night Workers,

In the fall of 1965, they recorded the legendary Billy Elmiger tune "Don't Put All Your Eggs in One Basket" (1965) for Round Sound Records a division of Pickwick International. The band had been recommended to Pickwick by their manager NYS lawyer Don Schpak who had a relative working for the label. They reached the studio recorded "Eggs" and used a Pickwick staff written song for the flip side- (by another SU friend, Lou Reed,.Note Lou did not play on this recording) Eggs finally reached #1 on WOLF Radio charts in Syracuse while the band traveled the East Coast stopping as such New York City night clubs as Trudy Hellers & Max's Kansas City while staring the stage with such national acts as Del Shannon & Chuck Berry.

They were then lead to Cameo Records by produced Neil Bogart and a follow up single "Honey and Wine" (1966). It was then on to Mercury Records and the single "Misery" (1967). Otis and the All Night Workers (as they were known locally becoming only one of a few University bands to break off campus and become popular with city teens in clubs like the Brookside & Fayetteville Inn (1964-66), This coming from the exposure they received from WOLF's popular  night time disc jockey Dale Dorman. After a summer at Lake George that members described as a hard grind the band finally broke up in Boston in 1968.

Herb Flower returned to Syracuse awaiting an opening with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (also taught at OCC). Flowers would play with the Symphony for many years. Elmiger, Smith and McCord went to reside in New York City and released two albums on Perception Records with a group named "The Albert" (named after a hotel where they all resided). Otis also release a single for Perception "Let Her Go".  Otis Smith was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame (Sammys). Bandmates- Elmiger, McCord & Flower returned for his induction.

Lloyd William Baskin graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Design, but he turned to music as his profession in 1966. Baskin sang lead and played his Wurlitzer 140 B electric piano on the All Night Workers hit "Don't Put All Your Eggs" recorded in New York City by producer Jerry Vance (Pickwick International) again was released by Round Sound Records.

Meanwhile Lloyd Baskin went on tour with "Jesus Christ Superstar". After his Jesus Christ Superstar days , Lloyd joined the national group "Seatrain". Their first release was a self-titled album '13 Questions". Lloyd is featured on both Capitol Records Seatrain albums "Seatrain" (1971) and "Marblehead Messenger" (1971). But it was there hit single "13 Questions" that propelled the band into the national spotlight.

In the late 1970's Lloyd returned to Central New York joining Mark Hoffmann forming Baskin- Hoffmann & Lee with Sandra Lee (vocals), Gary Goal (bass), Tommy Neuman (drums), Mark Hoffmann (guitar) and Baskin (keyboards & vocals).

Other Lloyd Baskin release include-Martin Mull's album "Days of Wine and Neuroses" Orphan's LP :"More Orphan than Hot', Patricia Rushen's Lp "New".  He was also seen in the feature film "Bugsy: (1990) playing Ciro"s singer. Lloyd resides in Southern California.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 150- THE HOWIE WYETH STORY- From SU To The National Music Scene.

Howard Pyle Wyeth was born on April 22, 1944 in Jersey City, New Jersey. His father was Nathaniel Wyeth (worked as an inventor for the Dupont Corporation. His mother Caroline Pyle, the famous illustrator from Chadd's Ford, Pa. Howie had four brothers Convers, Andy, David and John, a sister Caroline who sadly died as a youth. Howie and his family moved from Northern New Jersey to Chadd's Ford, Pa where they resided for several years before shifting to Hockessin, Delaware (lived till age 14). At the age of 8 he had a very serious case of Polio. But he recovered and played in his high school band and later became a member of the New Jersey All-State Band. Howie Wyeth then studied and received a music degree from Syracuse University, It was at SU that he formed and became leader of the big band the "Sidewinders' (a few years later became Jam Factory). During his years in Syracuse, the Sidewinders played several clubs including Deb's (now Lost Horizon) and the Little Brown Jug. Wyeth's Sidewinders also included Mark Hoffmann, John T. Hall, Bill Storm, Mike Mattia, Steve Marcone, Paul Petruccelli, Charlie Brown, Eddie Freeman and later Ian Taddeo (Stompin Sude Greasers, Alligators) to names just a few.

Wyeth studied percussion with Alan Abel of the Philadelphia Orchestra and was a member of the Syracuse University marching band. He graduated from SU in 1966.

 

He moved to New York City in late 1968 and recorded two albums with "The Albert" (1970-71) that included Syracusan Otis Smith and ex- SU alumni Steve McCord. Paul Petruccelli, Billy Elminger, Louis St Louis and Paul Dickler. He then appeared on James Moody's album "The Teacher" (1970),   followed with Zulema (1974), McKendee Spring (1975) and Leslie West's "Great Fatsby" (1975).

 

Best known for being a drummer he teamed with Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Revue (1974-75) and on Dylan's albums "Desire" (1975), Rolling Thunder Revue (1975), Hard Rain (1976)  and on Bob's hit singles 'Hurricane" and "Mozambique".

 

Then it was on to recording with impressive list - Roger McGuinn (1976 & 1992), Topez (1976-77), Kinky Friedman (1976), Don McLean (1977), Essra Mohawk (1977), Robert Gordon w/ Link Wray (1977-820, Moon Martin (1979), Link Wray (1979 & 1983), Jack Hardy (1979, 89) Rob Stoner (1980), Paul Lockheart (1980), Jack Harty (1984), Christine Lavin (1984,86), Richard Golke (1985-87), Rob MacDonald (1987), Blues Traveler (1990 RIAA Gold Record), Nice Boys from New York (1990), Lonesome Val (1990), Richard Meyer (1992), Suzanne Rhatigene (1992), Richard Shindell (1992), John  Meyer (19940, Michael Parrish 91995), Kinky Friedman (1995), Loup Garou (1996), Christine Lavin (199), John Manson Band (1995), Eric Wood (1997), Chadd Fort Getaway (20030, David Massengill (2005), Lesley West's 'Blood of the Sun 1969-75".

Of course Howie Wyeth worked with many talented musicians that included- Bob Dylan, Rob Stoner, Leslie West, Patti  LaBellem Roger McGuinn, Link Wray, Don Covay, Loudon Wainwright III, Anton Fig, Blues Traveler, Robert Gordon , The Jordanaires, James Moody, Don McLean, Chris Spedding , Richard Gotteher, Martin Moon and many others.

 

He married Rona Morrow in New York City, but eventually divorced. He then had a 17 year relationship with Catherine Wheeler. She was instrumental in bring out the very best in Howie.

 

In recent years Howie Wyeth concentrated on piano, leading is own group in ragtime, blues and early jazz in New York City clubs. His last recording, a cassette 9now a Cd) of ragtime and stride piano called "Chadsford Getaway"(1994). Howie appeared in the motion pictures "Renaldo & Cara" (1978) "Save the Children " (1973), 'Angelo, My Love: (1983) and 'Fried Green Tomatoes " (1991).

 

He was also seen on television on Don Kisrchner's Rock Concert with Robert Gordon, Midnight Special (twice) again with Robert Gordon, ABC's Today Show w/ Kinky Friedman, PBS TV's Buskers with Joe Flood, Michael Douglas Show, ABC's soap opera "One Life to Live, NBC's "The World of John Hammond' with Bob Dylan. And again with Dylan in  NBC's 'Hard Rain Special',  and the Joe Franklin Show.

 

Sadly the very talented Howie Wyeth passed away on March 27, 1996 in New York City at age 51.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 149- THE PASSING OF WALT'S RECORD SHOP GM- EDDIE GRUDYNSKI AT AGE 92

We were saddened to learn of the passing on Eddie Grudynski on Saturday Sept 12, 2015 at age 92. Ed was the general manager-operator of Walt's Record Shop Syracuse's top independent single record store from March 1951 through July 1980. First called "The Record Shop' its first location was at 114 West Jefferson Street ( Loew Building) when it opened in March 1951. It then moved around the corner to 352 So. Salina Street just two stores north of Loew's Theater (now called The Landmark Theater) in 1959. Owned by Walt Kandziela but operated by his brother-in-law Ed Grudynski. Walt's Record Shop finally closed in July 1980.

Other key employees who worked at Walt Record included- Gary Grudynski (Eddie's son), Dave Ridgeway, Don Libensky,  Gary Podsiedlik, Larry Liberman, Don Bombard, Guy Capone, Mark Kalsuga, Dan Elliott, Steve Wasnick, Louie Everding, Kevin Adams and Gary Bennett.

All major acts would stop by Walt's Record Shop when in Central New York including- Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, Gene Pitney, The Rascals, Al Martino, The Lettermen, Buck Owens, Jerry Vale, and many more. Walt's was Syracuse last record store where customer could audition 45 & 33 vinyl recordings before buying them. More records were sold by Walt's employee influences than any store I known of. And that sales technique even influenced me.