Tuesday, February 28, 2012

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER # 29 - FAMED RECORD STORES IN CENTRAL NEW YORK 1950 - 80's (UPDATED)

Walt's Record Shop-  Downtown Syracuse

Downtown's  number one record store "The Record Shop" was first located at 114 West Jefferson Street (Loew Building) when it first opened in March 1951, it then moved around the corner to 352 So. Salina Street just two stores north of Loew's State Theater (now "The Landmark") in 1959. Now known as Walt Record Shop was owned by Walt Kandziela and operated by his brother-in-law Ed Grudynski and his son Gary till it closed its doors in July 1980..

Other who worked at Walt's were- Don Libensky, Dave Ridgeway, Don Bombard, Gary Podsiedlik, Larry Lieberman, Mark Kalsuga, Guy Capone, Steve Wasnick, Louie Everding, Dan Elliott, Kevin Adams and Gary Grudynski. All the major acts would stop by Walt's when in town- Johnny Cash, Tony Bennett, The Lettermen, Al Martino, Johnny Mathis, Gene Pitney, Buck Owens, Jerry Vale, Young Rascals and many many more. This was Syracuse's last great record stores where customers could audition (listen to) a vinyl record before buying them. Through it many years Walt's Record hop carried them all 78's, 45's, 33 1/3 albums, 45 EP's and accessories.

Note Walt's is where I bought most of my Buddy Holly albums & singles, Link Wray Lp "Slinky", Ritchie Valens Lp "Ritchie" and Syracuse Lp's & 45's releases thoughout the years.

Thanks to Gary Podsiedlik, Ed & Gary Grudynski

Gerber Music - Shoppingtown, Fairmount Fair, Northern Lights, Penn Can Mall & Auburn, NY

First multi-location super store was first called Shoppington Music (Shoppingtown Shopping Center in Dewitt ) it was owned by Bill Jr., Jean & Billy Gerber III starting on October 12, 1964. They expanding to the Fairmount opening Fairmount Fair Music & Records (managed by Mr. G & Jean Gerber). In 1966, they opened another a store in the Northern Light Shopping Center. Their name changed to Gerber Music in 1967. In 1976 moved into the Penn Can Mall... PS- They also had a Gerber Music location in Auburn, NY

Meanwhile the Shoppingtown Shopping Center had become the popular Shoppingtown Mall and Gerber Music moved into a much larger indoor location.

 If their was a musician who didn't work at Gerbers at one time or another, who are you.. Here are a  few- Dave Novak, Dave Paternack, Chuck Canastraro, Tom Carr, Terry Vickory, Tommy Allen, Oz,  Dan Dishaw, Jimmy Johns, Mark Copani, Gary Jenkins, Phil Owens, Micky Sage, Gary Zamory, Peter Heitzman, Gary Frenay, Arty Lenin, Justin Root, Bruce Tetley, Tom Prowda, Tom Corradino, Jerry Sorn, Joe Jewel, Mark Hoffmann, Mark Gibson and many more. .
 
Gerber Music Stores was the place to go with stores in the east, west, and northern part of CNY.  They had it all records, cassettes, 8-tracks, .sheet music, needles,  blank tapes, posters, accessories and instruments. Guitar  names like- Martin, Fender Gibson, Yamaha, Takamine, Peavey and others. Drum lines handled- Ludwig, Pearl, Sonar and others. Gerber's also handled quality amps, microphones and pa systems. They also specialized in instrument repairs (Dave Pasternack & Dan Dishaw). Gerber also sold tickets to all the popular concerts in the Syracuse area. One historic memory- Gerber Music sold ticket to the famed Woodstock Music & Arts Festival in 1968 for $8.00  Sadly Mr G. (Bill Gerber Jr) passed away June 11, 1976 at the young age of 59. Finally the Gerber Music locations were sold to Cavages in 1982

Many thanks to Bill Gerber III & Dave Novak

 Carm's Record Shop- Auburn 

Owned by Carm Iaconis (and her family) who's final location  was at 110 Genesee Street Street in the heart of downtown Auburn, N.Y. Carm was born in Rochester, NY, but attended St Mary's Elementary School & Central High School in Auburn, NY,

Carm then worked at H.L. Green Store in Auburn managing their record department. She later opened her own music store Carm's Record Shop at 69 1/2 Genesee Street on August 13-15, 1959. Opening Day Specials included $4,95 Pop, Classic and Show Tune Lp's mark down to $1.49 and  $39.45 priced record players slashed to $23.95. Carms then moved to a larger store at 110 Genesee Street carring a full line of records, tapes, hardware and accessories. Being a key CNY location, tickets for all the areas popular concerts were always available at Carm's.

Carm sold her music business to David Gidides in September 1982. Carm & her husband Fred retired in 1988. Our friend Carm passed away July 12, 2011. She is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Auburn.

PS- In just the last week I learned that both John D'Angelo (our teams  research expert) and myself bought our copies of the classic album "Dio At Domino's" at Carm's Record Shop/'


Greco's TV- Fulton -

Owned by Leo Greco and his sons Leonard & Tom Greco.  For many years they were location near the river at 70 So. First Street in the heart of downtown Fulton, NY, Greco's carried records, tapes, accessories, musical instruments (Gibson, Fender) along with  a full line phonographs, RCA televisions and Whirlpool major appliances. It was also a must stop for major event concert tickets as well. In later years, Greco's would eventually expand in downtown Oswego.  I was with longtime Timeline guitarist Mike Ferrante when he bought both his Gibson 1963 SG Jr & Les Paul from Tom Greco. The Greco family were some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.



Olmsted's / University Hill Music Box (Northern Lights & So. Crouse Ave)

Owned by Bruce Olmsted and his family. They first opened as Ohlstead's then changed their name to University Hill Music Box (their location was on 754 So Crouse Ave (on the hill) near the SU Campus) and then expanded to the newly built Northern Light Shopping Center as Hi-Fi Music Box in the late 50's)\. This is where I bought the following four classic albums "The Buddy Holly", '"Ritchie Valens Live at Pacoima Jr. High" , "Ritchie Valens Memorial Album (Black cover), and "Eddie Cochran Memorial Album". They carried a very large selection of 45's hanging in wire baskets on the wall, many-many  floor racks containing 33 1/3 albums plus EP's and many portable and console style photographs.


Onondaga Music Company - Syracuse

Owned by Dave Gersoney, a life resident of Syracuse and President of the Onondaga Music Company till he retired in 1995. The business was started by his father and uncle in 1935. Onondaga Music was first  located at 119 W. Jefferson Street, later moved to a larger store on So. Clinton Street. They carried a complete line of sheet music, records, hardware and musical instrument along with music instruction. You could always find a great selection of jazz (Sal Nisitco, Mangiones Brothers, Chris Powell, Salt City Six, Jack Maheu ) as well as big bands and other popular national and local recording artist.

Our friend Dave Gersony  was a very kind man who always had time to speak to me about of Syracuse Music History. He  passed away on August 31, 1997 at age 72. He is survived by his son Howard also continued his association with Onondaga Music expanding into musical instrument sales and service until it eventually closure.. Howard was also a member of the popular band "Freeze".

W.T GrantsDowntown Syracuse

A large national chain store located in the mid 300 Block of So. Salina St. Yes Grants did carry new records. But the biggest reason you went their was for used 45's selling five of $1.00. I remember the early Beatle albums on the VeeJay label ....they had hundreds of copies stacked on the floor. And was the first location I saw Sam and the Twisters 45 rpm single "Fooba Wooba John" listed on the Lawn Record label as "The Original Soundtracks."


Clark Music Company - Syracuse

Although in business since 1859 (started by George Clark) we are focusing on music & record business starting in the 1950's. The Clark Music Company was then located at 416 So. Salina Street (where Sibley Department Store once stood). They featured  classical & popular records with listening booths, sheet music and piano rolls.. They handled quality pianos such as Steinway sales and service for over 100 years.  Also Hammond organs and names like Guild, Epiphone, Cortez, Ludwig, Gretsch and Kay musical products.

They relocated to 2922 Erie Blvd, East in 1967 and sold top shelf audio equipment till 2011. PS- You can still get excellent Steinway sales & service from our friend Frank DeFonda.

McNeil Muisc - Cortland, N.Y  

McNeil Music was the place to buy your records, tapes, sheet musi , record players, accessories and concert tickets along with Gibson guitars just like the ones used by Ronnie James Dio (SG Bass), Nick Pantas (ES 175), Dick Bottoff (ES 330),  David "Rock" Feintein (Gold Top Les Paul) and Doug Thaler (ES 335 Hollow Body)........P.S.- Gary Driscoll used Black Gretsh Drums
.
Thanks to Dick Bottoff


Record Runner- 177 Marshall Street on University Hill

Opened  in the late 1960's downstairs at 177 Marshall Street  (where Starbucks is today) right at the corner of University Ave just off the Syracuse University campus. Stocked some 27,000 vinyl, 8-track and cassette items. Was the first store in the Syracuse area to carry so called white cover bootleg albums, the very first if I can remember correctly being the Beatles  "Kum Back" sessions in September 1969. Followed in Dec 1969 by the the Rolling Stones Bootleg lalbum  "LIVE'r Than You'll Ever Be" on tthe Trade Mark of Quality label (TMoQ)..And many others followed..... They also opened a second location in Ithaca, NY near the Cornell campus.


Those were some of the biggest stores selling records in CNY, but their were many others, here are  a few.

Be Bop Shop (Liverpool), Busy Bee (105 No.Salina), Cavages, Chappell's (Northern Lights), Coles Music World (E. Fayette St), Daw Drugs, Desertshore Records (730 So. Crouse Ave), Discount Records, Easy Bargain Center (Gifford St), E.W. Edwards, Genesee TV (Fairmount), Geherin's (Auburn), Harrington Brothers (Cortland), Hi-Fi Music Shop (323 So. Salina), Klobby's TV (James St, used records),  S.S.Kresge's (So. Salina), Loblaw's Super Markets, McCory's (435 So. Salina),  Pat's Records- (No Syracuse), Record Kingdom (Arthur Lane), Record Theater (Marshall St in 1974), Shopper Fair (Erie Blvd), Spectrum Records (University Ave.), Dave Wilkins TV & Records, Wilsons Jewelers (310 So. Salina), F.W. Woolworth.. 

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 28 - ED WOOL & THE NOMADS, SURE CURE, PINEAPPLE HEARD, WOOL

The CNY roots of the popular group Wool started with the Watertown High School band  "Tempest" but we know them under their most successful name Ed Wool and  The Nomads. They opening for the Rolling Stones at the War Memorial in Syracuse, October 30, 1965. They also backed up Monty Rock III that special October night.  Band members included Bill Crowder, Jack Ditch, Gary Flagg, Al Grant (drums). Mike Christie (bass in 1965-66 who had replaced Phil Udaskin and Ed Wool (guitar, vocals). They hit the CNY music charts with their  RCA Records single "Please, Please, Don't Go" b/w "I Need Somebody."

In 1967, the name changed to the Sure Cure and recorded the single "Anyway You Want" for the Cameo- Parkway Record label.  Then  changed there name to the Pineapple Heard (Ed & Claudia Wool, Peter Lulis, Dick Kissell & Bob Youngs). They ventured into Bell Recording Studio in New York on New Years Eve and recorded the song "Valleri."  It  was produced by Mike Joyce and released in 1967 on Diamond Records # D-231. It became a big hit throughout CNY. The downside of the story "Valleri"  was quickly covered by the Monkees and became a million seller.

A short time later Tom Haskell replaced Kissel on guitar and Ed Barrella took Youngs place on bass..Also during this time period (late 1968) drummer Mark Naussef was added.

With a publishing deal with  Armanda Productions (Neil Diamond, David Rosner, Margo Guryan & Tom Catalino) in place they recorded the self-titled WOOL album on ABC Records (1969), ABC released two singles "Combination of the Two" b/w "The Boy With the Green Eyes": (ABC # 11167 in  December 1968) and  "Love, Love, Love" Love" Love" b/w "If They Left Us Alone Now" (ABC # 11190 in March 1969). Then a  label shift to Columbia Records and three more single releases,  "Listen To The Music" b/w "The Witch" (Dec 1970)  followed by "It's Alright" b/w "Take Me to The Pilot" and finally "I Got The Feeling" backed by the Doug Thaler song'"In the Rest of My Life." (April 1972).

Ed  Wool graduated from Watertown High School in 1962. Through the years here are just some of the members that played with various Wool bands- Ed Barrella, Mike Christie, Tom Costanzo, Bill Crowder, Jack Ditch, Al Flagg, Al Garrison, Al Grant, Tom Haskell. Peter Hrabchak, Bob Kissell, Peter Lulis, Chuck Martuzes,  Mark Naussef, Terry Singleton, Phil Udaskin, Bob Watts, Claudia Wool,  Bob Youngs, there are many more..

Ed Wool and the Nomads can also heard on the various artists Cd "Mind Blowers- Psychedelic Passages- Volume 1 with their song "I Need Somebody." The WOOL album has been re-released on Cd.

Monday, February 20, 2012

WOOL's GUITARIST TOM HASKELL DIES IN CORTLAND AT AGE 63

We are sad to report that Tom E. Haskell former guitarist in the band WOOL died in Cortland on February 12, 2012 at age 63.  Haskell a 1967 Cortland High graduate performed on WOOL 's only album on the ABC Record label, ABC #676 in 1969.. His WOOL band mates included- Ed Wool (vocals, lead guitar), Claudia Wool (vocals), Ed Barrella (bass) and Peter Lulis (drums). Tom Haskett was born in Cortland, NY on February 2, 1949...


Sunday, February 19, 2012

QUESTION - RON, HAVE ANY SYRACUSE BANDS OR MUSICIANS BEEN ISSUED ON COLLECTORS TRADING CARDS ?

Well, here are just a few...

Bobby Comstock -
1985  Rock & Roll Music Nostalgia Cards #  177, black & white, size is 3 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Joey DeMaio- (Manowar)
Kerrang Magazine "The King of Metal", Playing card (King of Clubs) in black & white, size- 3 1/2 x 2 1/4"

Ronnie James Dio
1987- Ronnie James Dio- Sticker Card, manufactured in Italy-, size 2 1/4" x 3 1/4"

1991- Mega Metal Cards manufactured by Impel  - Group Dio (5 cards),  In Color,
size-3 1/2" x 2 1/2". The 5 cards are -Dio band #16, Dio #17, Simon Wright #18, Jens Johansson #19, & Rowan Robinston #20

2011- Spanish Set of playing cards (52) with 48 different color photos of Dio, in a box, manufactured in Argentina

(2011-12)  Dio- "Clasicus Del Rock Interacional" card set (9 card color set of Dio) issued in Argentina Card #'s 318-327

Thursday, February 9, 2012

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 27 - THE LIVIN ENND (1967- 1975)

With the departure of Sam Amato from the Hall of Fame band Sam and The Twisters in 1967, remaining members Mickey Palumbo, Jan Fetterly and Al Wolf formed a new band the "Livin Ennd". They added legendary guitarist Dave Pasternack (formerly with The Knights (1960-61), Vikings & Carman Licitra & The Vikings (1962-66). Pasternack stayed with the band for three years (1967-70). In 1968 vocalist Sandy Bigtree was added staying till late 1971 when she left for Broadway as an understudy for Bernadette Peters. The good time party band continued adding first Judy D'Augustino (departed in 1972) then added the lead vocalist of The Monterays, Dan Elliott. Elliott who eventually left to join the Peanuts Hucko Orchestra and traveled the world. Dan later joined The Belmonts (of Dion fame) and is now a member of the Doo Wop Hall of Fame. Fred Sweet replaced Pasternack on guitar (1971-74) and finally a key part of the band was always sound engineer Bill Cooper. If there was a club in CNY that the Livin Ennd didn't play I couldn't name it.

The Livin Ennd" released three singles, "Come to Me" b/w "Stop and Go" (1999), "Round Round" b/w "La La" (1971) writting by Mickey Paulmbo, "White Horses" (1974) and then the bands only album "The Ennd of an Era" recorded live at the Poor House North in Liverpool on February 29, 1975. This historic show a reunion event brought back all Livin Ennd's former members.

Their single "Round Round" b/w "La La" was recorded in 1971 at the Rochester, NY Studio of Joe Jones (of "You Talk to Much" fame). In the mid 1970's, the Livin Ennd recorded many unreleased tracks at Syracuse University's Newhouse School under the guidance of sound engineer Bill Cooper. Listed here are some of the unreleased song titles- Billie, Holly Good Foot, Mama I'm Not Comin Home and Merlin. From these sessions came the release of the single "White Horses" along with a picture sleeve was issued on Ron Wray's Sunday Record label in 1974

Notes-

Sandy Bigtree went on to  form the Sandy Bigtree Band & Sandy Bigtree and the  Great Northern Expedition  and perform with Skip Murphy's "Out of trhe Blue". Sandy Bigtree was inducted into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame in June 2008

Dave Pasternack- left to join Dave Machin in David & David (1970, then Full House (1977), Jammette, The Mercurys (late 80's). Pasternack was inducted into the SAMMYS Hall of  Fame on November 21, 1997. David died on August 3, 1999.

Al Wolf-   Played bass with the following "One Night Stand" (1995), who became "Crusin" who became one of Syracuse's most popular band's  "Smokin" (1997-2002 and again 2004-09. One of Syracuse's great players Al Wolf (Sam and the Twisters) was inducted into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame on April 22, 1994.

Mickey Palumbo   Mickey joined the Martell Brothers in  "Crackerjack" for a short time (1975) then teamed with Jan Fetterly once again in "Loose" (1976), who became "Too Loose" (1977-94). Upon the breakup of Too Loose, Mickey joined the "Familiar Faces" (1995-97). The very talented Mickey Palumbo (Sam and the Twisters) was inducted into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame on April 22, 1994

Jan Fetterly- Jan just keeps on drumming with first with "Loose" (1975-76), "Too Loose" (1977-94), "Cobblerockers" (10 yrs)  then "Smokin" (2004-present). The very popular Jan Fetterly (Sam and the Twisters) was inducted into the SAMMYS Hall of Fame on April 22, 1994.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

DIO - 24 kt GOLD AUDIO FIDELITY CD SET FOR FEBRUARY 24 - RELEASE

A New - Ronnie James Dio - 24 kt Gold disc of  his classic album "Holy Diver" will be released by Audio Fidelity on February 24, 2012. Sound Quality is reported to be superb. It is available directly from Audio Fidelity or you can find some for pre-order already on eBay.

Friday, February 3, 2012

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 26 - THE SERMON - 1968-71 (Updated)

1968-71 members included veteran musicians Dave Novak (guitar, vocals), Bill Wolfe (drums, vocals), Kal Dee (vocals, trumpet, piano), Bill Weiss (bass), Jimmy Cox (Hammond B-3 organ), Bob Stasko (sax, flute, maracas, vocals) and Bob Papaleoni (drums) who was later added as an addition percussionist.

 The band signed with Thunderbird Records and on their initial release "You're Never Gonna Find Another Love" b/w "What A Day This Could Be" the band was identified as "The Sir-Men" because of a reported conflict with a New York group having a prior claim to the name "Sermon." However, the issue was resolved in time for Syracuse's Sermon to be correctly identified when Thunderbird sold the master to national record giant  the Buddah / Kama Sutra Record group..

"Your Never Gonna Find Another Love" graced the WOLF Radio music survey for nine weeks reaching #1 for two straight weeks September 3 & 10, 1969.

At the same time Buddha/ Kama Sutra Records purchased the master of the Sermon they also bought  "The Rapper" by the Jaggerz. The label decided to promote the latter and The Sermon missed national acclaim. Although the record did receive favorable reviews in various national trade publications thanks to the efforts of  WOLF's  Don Bombard.

A rough demo of the band's proposed follow-up single "It Almost Made Me Cry" written by Carl Falso, appears on the "History of Syracuse Album Series- Volume 3 & 4. The Sermon could be seeing playing the Campus Inn, Red Dog Saloon,  Holiday Bowl  as well as clubs in Rochester and Buffalo and for college parties throughout the region. It should be noted that "The Sermon"  was one of the very first CNY bands to add a full horn section. The Sermon was managed by WNDR  morning disc jockey "Big George" Plavoccos.

For you serious collectors- The Sermon's single "You're Never Gonna Find Another Love" was released by Buddah Records in the country of Peru.

Notes-
Novak, Wolfe, Weiss were all former members of The Nightcaps (with Al McNeil & Joe Nappi)  who released the popular single "Keep on Runnin" b/w "Knock On Wood" (ARC Records #1181) in 1967.

Prior to the Sermon, Kal Dee was the lead vocalist of the Cortland band "Kal Dee & the Showmen" who in November 1963 released the single "Mind Your Mama" b/w "I'm Still in Love With You"  (Lawn Records #223). He then added keyboards on the Don Barber & The Dukes recordings of "The Waddle" b/w "What Your Name" (Thunderbird Records #105) in June 1965. After the Sermon played for a short while with the Kal Dee Trio with Bill Weiss before starting a long solo carrer.

Currently
Dave Novak can be heard  performing as a soloist and with the Fab Cats. Bill Weiss can be seen playing bass with Letizia & The Z Band.. Jiimmy Cox  is back performing as a soloist and with his singer-songwriting daughter Ashley Cox, Television producer Bob Papaleoni is employed by Time Warner.