HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 52 - ROLLING STONES RETURN TO SYRACUSE - JULY 6, 1966

Nine months after their first Syracuse appearance the Rolling Stones return to the War Memorial at 8 PM on July 6, 1966. The show was sponsored by Hubbub Productions and WOLF Radio. The Stones were on tour promoting their newest album "Out of Our Head." The MC that evening was WOLF's night time star Dale Dorman who appeared on stage wearing a white tuxedo..

The Rolling Stones performed the following songs- Not Fade Away, The Last Time, Paint It Black, Stupid Girl, Spider and the Fly, Lady Jane, Mother's Little Helper, Get Off My Cloud, 19th Nervous Breakdown and ended with Satisfaction.

Other acts performing were Little Rick (Mozzo) and The DelShayes (from Syracuse later known as the Endless Knight sang Little Latin Lupe Lu, Bring It On Home to Me & Major Workout) The Tradewinds (New York is a Lonely Town, Fun, Fun, Fun & Mr Tambourine Man), The Standells (Dirty Water, Gloria, Good Lovin & Shout), and The McCoys with Rick Derringer (Hang on Sloopy, Fever, Come On Let's Go, & Baby Won't You Drive My Car).

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC- CHAPTER 51- First Syracuse War Memorial Rock & Roll Shows 1956-57

Here's a listing of Syracuse's first three Big Rock & Roll In Person Shows with performers & dates

#1 April 26, 1956- Biggest Show of Stars, (Attn 8,500) Sold Out, War Memorial

Stars- Bill Haley & The Comets, Bo Diddley, The Drifters, The Flamingos, Clyde Mc Phatter, The Platters, The Teenagers w/ Frankie Lymon, Teen Queens, "Big" Joe Turner, LaVern Baker, The Colts, Red Prysock and his Orchestra.

#2 October 27, 1956- Biggest In Person Show of 1956- War Memorial

Stars- Bill Haley and The Comets, Chuck Berry, The Clovers, Flamingos. Ella Johnson, Frankie Lymon, The Platters, The Flaires, Shirley & Lee, Shirley Gunter, Buddy Johnson & Orchestra, Vic Lewis & Orchestra,  MC- Harold Cromer

#3 September 16, 1957-  Biggest Show of Stars of 1957- War Memorial

Stars- Paul Anka, Chuck Berry, Everly Brothers,  Fats Domino, LaVern Baker, Jimmy Bowen, Buddy Knox,The Crickets with Buddy Holly, The Drifters, The Diamonds, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Lymon & Teenagers, Paul Williams & Orchestra, MC- Harold Cromer.

Note- this would be Buddy Holly's only performance in Syracuse. Holly & the Crickets stayed the night at the Hotel Onondaga.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 50- - Rolling Stones first visit Syracuse in 1965

October 30, 1965, the Rolling Stones performed their first Syracuse concert at the War Memorial at 8 PM. This show was a "Sell Out" attended by some 8,000+ screaming fans. Tickets were priced at $3.00 in advance and $4 the day of the show. Note- "Dandy Dan" Leonard was instrumental in making this show possible.

The musical acts included- Ed Wool & The Nomads (from Watertown), Monty Rock III, The Rockin Ramrods (Ghost Riders in the Sky), Patti LaBelle and the Blue Bells (I Who Have Nothing), The Vibrations (Sloopy & Watusi) and finally the Rolling Stones. Note- Monty Rock III also served as MC.

The Rolling Stones consisted of Mick Jagger, Brian Jones, Keith Richard, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman. Here is a list of songs (in order) they performed that evening. Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, Have Mercy, Cry To Me, Reelin and A Rockin, That's How Strong My Love Is (Otis Redding tune), I Feel Alright, The Last Time, Get Off My Cloud, ending with Satisfaction.

Tickets were sold at Walt's Record Shop, Clark Music, The Music Box (University & Northern Lights), Shoppingtown Music, Liverpool Music, Greco's in Fulton and Fred's Record Shop in Auburn.

The Stones would return to Syracuse again July 6, 1966 in a concert presented by Hubbub Productions & WOLF Radio. I will feature this Stones concert in a later post.

Update-
For those of you asking.... Here's the song listing of the artists that  played that night with the Stones.... 
Ed Wool & Nomads- High Heeled Sneakers, Please, Please, Don't Go and Hardly Bad.
Rockin Ramrods- Ghost Riders in the Sky, Like a Rolling Stone &  I Got My Mojo Working.
Patti Labelle- I Who Have Nothing & Danny Boy.
The Vibrations- The Watusi, My Girl Sloopy (Hang on Sloopy) & Peanut Butter.
Also Monty Rock III was backed instrumentally by Ed Wool & Nomads.

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 49- - BRITISH INVASION - SEARCHERS & ANIMALS PLAY SYRACUSE IN 1964

As the British Invasion was sweeping America and the world fans in Syracuse were treated to two great concerts in 1964. First on June 3, 1964 in what WOLF Radio billed  as "The Liverpool Express Show" at Sports-O-Rama in Matydale. The Searchers headlined performing their hits- Needle & Pins, Love Potion #9, Sugar & Spice, Don't Throw Your Love Away & Sweets For My Sweet.

The bill also consisted of The Dovells with Len Barry (Bristol Stomp, You Can't Set Down), Dick & Dee Dee (The Mountains High, Thou Shall Not Steal), Ronnie Dio & the Prophets (yes  Ronnie James Dio sang "Gonna Make It Alone" ) and Ronnie Cochran. Advanced tickets were priced at $2.00.

October 12, 1964- The Animals (w/ Eric Burdon & Chas Chandler) invaded the War Memorial at 8 PM. Mike Martineau & WNDR's Dan Leonard  were co-promoters with advance tickets selling for $2.00, $2.50 at the door. Some 2,500-3,000 fans attended the concert that also featured- J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers (Last Kiss), The Royalettes (Gonna Take a Miracle),  Elkie Brooks and local bands Carmen Licitra & the Vikings (Dave Pasternack) and The Concepts (Don Martin).

The Animal wore pin striped suits with orange shirts. Their song list included- House of the Rising Sun, I'm Cryin, Shout and Bring It On Home To Me.

Note- Many of you may remember Chas Chandler as he later became the manager of Jimi Hendrix.

LOCAL BANDS RALLY TO BENEFIT ONE OF THEIR OWN AT STATION 58- SUNDAY SEPT 16

Five of Central New York's top band performed Sunday afternoon Sept 16 to help Garrett Knaub (a member of band 3 Inch Fury) and his family who lost their home and all their belongings to a devastating fire.  The benefit held at Station 58 featured the follow bands- Under The Gun, Emerald City, Kat Tale, Scars N Stripes and 3 Inch Fury.

 

We salute all who performed, donated gifts, prises, food and those who attended for helping one of our own. You made us involved in the CNY Music scene proud of your effort.

LOS BLANCOS PLAYS THE SYRACUSE BEER FESTIVAL AT ALLIANCE BAND STADIUM

The famed Syracuse Band "Los Blancos"  performed at the Syracuse Beer Festival  at Alliance Band Stadium in Syracuse Saturday, September 15. This festival featured many NYS and national breweries along with "Beers of the World". Los Blancos lineup includes- Colin Aberdeen (guitar & vocals), Mark Nanni (keyboards), Mark Tiffault (drums) and Stephen T. Winton (bass). Also performing was Driftwood a teriffic band from the Binghamton, NY area.

NEW DIO 14 CD "THE SINGLES UK COLLECTION" BOX SET THAT ALSO INCLUDES A DIO VIDEO COLLECTION DVD 1983-1999, BOOKLET AND UK TOUR POSTER BY UNIVERSAL MUSIC AVAILABLE NOW...

Universal Music/ Vertigo   just released a new 14 CD Ronnie James Dio UK Box Set titled "The Singles Collection".  This box set contains 48 songs from 14 of Dio's classic singles (in replica). A 15th disc included is a DVD containing 11 Dio music videos from 1983-1993. It also contains a reprint U.K. tour poster and a 32-page booklet.

 

The 14 Cd's are- Holy Diver, Rainbow in the Dark, The Last in Line, We Rock. Mystery (w/ poster), Rock n Roll Children, Hungry For Heaven, Dio Live, King of Rock n Roll, I Could Have Been A Dreamer, All the Fools Sailed Away, Intermission, The Dio EP, Jesus Mary and The Holy Ghost


Disc #15 -"The Videos 1983- 1993 contains the following- Holy Diver, Stand Up and Shout, Rainbow in the Dark, Mystery, The Last in Line, We Rock, Rock n Roll Children, King of Rock and Roll, I Could Have Been a Dreamer, All the Fools Sailed Away and Hey Angel.

 

This very special DIO European Box Set can be ordered now through AMAZON.COM

Note- This Dio Box will also be released in Japan

LONGTIME SYRACUSE MUSICIAN CARMEN LIBERATORE PASSES AWAY

We are deeply saddened to report the unexpected passing September 3 of longtime CNY musician Carmen Liberatore at age 61. Carmen who started drumming at age 12 has played in many area bands throughout the years.. Carmen attended both our History of Syracuse Music album series historic group photos, the first being in 1973. We cherish his friendship and dedication to our Syracuse Music History..He will be missed by us all......

 

Thanks to  Rick Cappotto who sent this our way...

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC - CHAPTER 48 - DEL SHANNON'S SYRACUSE VISITS (Updated Feb 19, 2014)

Hall of Famer Del Shannon appeared in and around CNY a number of times during his long career. We are going to touch on just some of the more important shows. But first a little history..

"Runaway" was released by Bigtop Records #3067 first hit the WOLF & WNDR Radio charts in Syracuse on March 25 and remained their till July 8, 1961 reaching the coveted #1 spot three weeks. Knocking off Ricky Nelson's smash hit "Travelin Man". Del's follow up release "Hats Off To Larry" (Bigtop #3075) first charted on June 10 while Runaway still enjoyed over a month more Top 40 airplay.

"Hats of To Larry" enjoyed two weeks at the #1 spot and remained on both Syracuse stations music charts through September 1, 1961. It was followed closely by "So Long Baby"(Sept 2- Nov 17) peaking at #8.

His string of Bigtop Label hits continued "Hey Little Girl" (Nov 6- Dec 31, 1961), Ginny In The Mirror" ( Mar 4- Apr. 7, 1962), "Two Kind of Teardrops" (Apr 13- May 18, 1962),  "Cry Myself To Sleep" (Aug 1962), Swiss Maid" (Sept 9- Oct 6, 1962) "Little Town Flirt" (Dec 29, 1962- Feb 9, 1963) and a double sided hit in the UK "From Me To You" (Beatles) b/w "Two Silhouettes" (June 8-15, 1965).  Berlee Record label then released "Sue's Gonna Be Mine" (Nov 7-21, 1965). A change to the AMY record label yielded more hits "Handy Man" (May 29 -Aug 14, 1964), " Do You Want To Dance" (Sept  18- Oct 21, 1964)," Keep on Searchin" (Nov 12, 1964- Jan 1, 1965) and "Stranger in Town" (Feb 22-March 25, 1965) all smash hits here in Central New York.

Between 1961-65 only two Del Shannon records failed to make the Syracuse Top 40 listings "Mary Jane" (Feb 2-13, 1964, a WNDR "Pick to Click" selection ) & "Break Up" (Amy Label in 1965).

Later in Del's career he released the following singles "Big Hurt" for Liberty Records (1966), "Tell Her Know" for Island Records (1975), "Sea of Love" Network Record (1981) all with little commercial success.

Del Shannon one of Rock & Roll greats was first seen in Central New York playing a Easter Week (April 24, 1962) concert for WOLF Radio's Bob Dell & Andy Andrews at Sports O' Rama  in Mattydale, NY. He headlined the show and shared the stage with Brian Hyland & Jean Thomas (Moon River) along with Syracuse bands 'Paul & The Velvets' (Paul Levandowski, Mickey Palumbo), 'The Eternals' (Tom Rozzano, Mickey Nicotra), "Keystones" (Hal Robinson),  'Little Linda' & "The Capitols" (Chuck Sgroi). Two years later Del Shannon returned to play at Syracuse University with the national recording artist "The Tymes" ( So Much in Love) and our own Otis (Smith) and The Headliners on December 11, 1964.

His next Syracuse appearance would be a classic. April 24, 1973, Del Shannon played LeMoyne College (with the Alligators) and stayed the night in Syracuse at the Dewitt Ranch Motel on Erie Blvd.. My good friend Don Bombard (now Bob Shannon of New York's WCBS FM) and I then took a chance and went there hoping to interview this rock legend. To our surprise we were given his room number and knocked on his door. Wow that's security for you in 1973....

To our surprise Del Shannon open the door. We introduced ourselves from WOLF Radio and he invited us in. After talking about his concert the night before, his many hits and his association with the great Max Crook, Del told us he had just received a master cassette from his soon to be released album "Live In England" and invited us to stay and listen to the complete album. An offer we just couldn't refuse..

Don & I sat on the floor and listened with Del Shannon to his great new album that was soon to be release once a label deal was completed. Tracks were recorded live on Dec 2 1972 at the Princess Club in Manchester, England. It started with "Hats Off To Larry" and ended with "Runaway". In between Handy Man, Swiss Maid, Hey Little Girl, Little Town Flirt, Kelly, Two King of Teardrops Coopersville Yodel, The Answer to Everything, Keep Searchin, What's The Matter Baby, So Long Baby and a great version of the Roy Orbison song Crying. We each had our photo taken with Del and thanked him for his kindness. Amazing we heard this classic live album  months before it hit record store shelves.

 Del Shannon also played at Onondaga Community College (1973) and again in Syracuse on September 23, 1978 at the War Memorial a benefit for the Syracuse Police (PBA). Performing with Del that evening were Bobby Rydell, The Regents (Barbara Ann), Belmonts, Freddie Cannon and the Marvelettes.

After a June 14, 1983 Landmark Theater concert with Bo Diddley & Little Anthony was canceled due to Diddley's illness, next came Richard Nader Rock & Roll Revival Show on August 28, 1983 at the New York State Fair. Shannon shared the stage with The Marvelettes and the great Bobby Comstock and his Band.

His last few CNY appearances were at local clubs, May 1, 1985 at Gordies Double Play in Phoenix, NY once again with The Alligators and July 20-21, 1989 at Trader Macks with The Shirelles.

Del Shannon (born Charles Westover in 1934)  who began his music career in Battle Creek, Michigan and rose to the top of the Rock & Roll world died in Los Angeles on February 8, 1990. At New York's Waldorf-Astoria on  March 15, 1999 Del Shannon was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,

Many of you might have caught Del Shannon at he toured the country on a number of big package tours as "Biggest Show of Stars-1961" (Drifters, Gary "U.S" Bonds, Gene McDaniels, Platters) and Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars both in 1964 (Summer Edition w/ Lou Christie, Gene Pitney, Supremes) & 1965 (with Zombies, Tommy Roe, Tina Turner,  Major Lance, Shangri-las and others).

Don & I both cherish our moments and great memories with this rock icon..known as Del Shannon