Tuesday, January 21, 2014

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE"- CHAPTER 121 - MARK DOYLE - SAMMY HALL A FAMER, HIS LONG CAREER & MANY MUSICAL TALENTS CONTINUE TO MAKE CNY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE (UPDATE 3/7

I know we have documented the history of  Syracuse Area Music Hall of Famer- Mark Doyle many times, but his contributions have been so great I though it was time to take a look back at his marvelous musical career.

Mark Doyle the Auburn, NY native was born on October 15 into a very musical family (his father Bobby was with WSYR TV-3's famed Jim Deline Orchestra). He performed in the Auburn High School band Thursday's Children then rose to the top of the Syracuse music scene as a member of Freewill (later became Jukin Bone again with lead singer Joe Whiting). After two nationally released Jukin Bone RCA albums "Jukin Bone (1972) and "Way Down East" (1973), Mark expanded his options joining the David Werner Band. (1972-74, 76 & 79), then followed with Judy Collins (1976), Andy Pratt (1976-77), Hall & Oates (1977), Cindy Bullens (1978-80) and  Leo Sayer (1979). He finally returned home and produced the following recordings- The Bashers (1979), Le Rock (1980), the Headlights (1980), The Works, The Natives, Joe Whiting's Bandit Band. Then it was off to record with Meatloaf (1983)  and Byron Adams (1983-84).

Doyle's musical genius skyrocketed him to the top of the music industry. In the mid 80's, Mark appeared on Dick Clark's American Bandstand (w/ Cindy Bullens- March 22, 1980 singing "Too Close to Home" & "Steal The Night"), Saturday Night Live, Don Kirschner's Rock Concert, The Tomorrow Show and European tours with Meatloaf (1983) and backing Bryan Adams (including his hit "Cut Like a Knife 1983-84), associate producer for super group New Kids on The Block (1989), Tiffany (1990) and once again with Andy Pratt (1992).

Mark has enjoyed working and recording with many other local CNY bands as- The Works (1980), New York Flyers (1981), The Natives (1981-82), Joe Whiting (1982), Todd Hobin Band (1982), Public Eye (1984), The Kingsnakes (1987-88, 90, 92), Stroke (1987), Taboo (1992) and his own Doyle-Whiting Band (1987-88), Backbone Slip  (1994), Gary Frenay (1996), Kim Lembo (1996), Joe Whiting (1996-97), Ronnie D (1998) and other Greg Spencer's Blue Wave label productions. Mark has pioneered the local use of direct-to-digital studio technology and the new High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) recording process. Doyle then produced a great disc for Top 40-style balladeer Kim Fetters titled "In My Wildest Dreams" (1998).

Next he teamed with his father the great keyboardist Bobby Doyle along with John Kane & Dick Howell in the "Jazz Minds" (1995). After a year of playing keyboards with Lush Life (a jazz trio) Mark Doyle was back in the studio in 1999 producing his own 12-track Cd " Guitar Noir" released on Free Will Records. This album was named the Top local album release for the year 1999 by the Syracuse Newspapers. Mark's second instrumental album was the 12-track "Out of the Past" released in June 2001.

In 2002, Freewill reunited with its original members and released a live cd called "Freewill Live on Stage". May 2002- Mark released a benefit compact disc to celebrate the legacy of the great songwriter Jimmy Van Heusen (another SAMMY Hall of Famer). As the year ended producer Doyle released the Christmas 2/Cd set "Solstice at the Cathedral" that featured 17 great songs and included Doyle along with Joe Whiting, Donna Colton and Kenneth Meyer.

His next project was producing two albums with talented Cazenovia artist Kim Monroe. 2008- saw Mark team in the studio and on disc with The Penetrators (Jack Lipton) on the cd release "Bad Woman". Other 2008 production and recording included Frank Briggs, Jonah Cohen, Andy Pratt, 12 AM,  & Kim Simmonds. 

The year 2009 produced projects with Laura Austin, Michael Gorden along with the cd "Shake em on Down" a "Salute to the 60's British Blues Boom" under the name Mark Doyle and the Maniacs. The Maniacs included Terry Quill (second guitar & harmonica), Frank DeFonda (drums), Jack Lipton (vocals), Michael P. Ryan (bass & vocals) and Doyle. This cd released on Free Will Records #527 was recorded and mixed at More Sound (Jocko).

2010 brought projects with George Egosarian & Michael Gordon and in April came Mark Doyle and the Maniacs newest 13-track blues-rock disc  "Comin Home" again issued on the Free Will label. This lineup once gain included Quill, Lipton, Ryan, DeFonda & Doyle, Quill & Ryan would play their last gig on November 26, 2011 followed by Doyle's reforming the band, During this period Mark released  'In Dreams- Guitar Noir II', produced cds for Mark Fahl, 3D and Jack Lipton's "Forgotten Boy". Mark also appeared on Ronnie Leigh cd "Live at Applejazz" cd in 2012 (recorded live during Charlie Beritni's Applejazz Festival at Little York Lake Park).

Then the Maniacs reformed adding the talented Phil Broikus and Joel Kane who joined Frank DeFonda & Mark Doyle (May 2012). This lineup played the Ronnie James Dio tribute concert "Dio Day Cortland" on July 7, 2012. In December 2012, Doyle and the new lineup the released the cd "Pushin" and DVD "Making of Pushin". In early 2013 Broikus exits and the fantastic  Pete McMahon (former Kingsnakes & others) is added  followed quickly by a new cd "Live and Burnin".

At the 2014 Syracuse Area Music Awards at the Palace Theater on March 7, 2014, Mark Doyle & The Maniacs took home the Sammy for their great Cd "Pushin"....

If this isn't enough, through the years Mark has continued performing, producing, writing and giving music lessons and instruction to hundred of CNY's musicians.

Well that's a brief look at Mark Doyle marvelous career. We may not have every moment... but what we have listed make us proud that Mark Doyle is a native Central New Yorker and make our Syracuse Music scene at better place for it. Thanks Mark ++++

PS- Mark Doyle was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Hall of Fame...

Saturday, January 4, 2014

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 120 - EVERLY BROTHERS VISIT SYRACUSE FIRST ON SEPTEMBER 16, 1957 THEN RETURN FOUR OTHER TIMES.

We are so saddened with the news of Phil Everly passing Friday January 3, 2014 in Burbank, California at age 74. The Everly Brothers Syracuse story begins back in 1957. September 15 the Everly Brothers played at the Montreal Forum (Canada) with The "Biggest Show of Stars 1957" tour The next morning they travel by Tour Bus to Syracuse for a 8:30 PM show at the Syracuse War Memorial Auditorium. They check into the Hotel Onondaga (Warren Street) and then to the War Memorial just a few blocks away. "The Biggest Show of Stars 1957" consisted of the following acts- Everly Brothers,  Fat Domino, Paul Anka, Chuck Berry, The Crickets with Buddy Holly, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Lymon, Drifters, Bobbettes, LaVern Baker, Spaniels, Paul Williams Orchestra with Sam "The Man" Taylor and Harold Cromer (mc). Show was produced by Irvin Feld, tickets pricing was as follows-$3.50, $3.00, $2.50, $2.00, $1.50, Attn 6,000.

Everly Brothers, Chuck Berry along with The Crickets (w/ Buddy Holly) posed for photos back stage with Utica DJ Lou Barile.. These photos still exist today. After the Sept 16 show the acts stayed over night at the Onondaga Hotel paying $10 for a double room. The next day the bus with performers left for Rochester, NY for another evening show September 17, 1957.

Other Syracuse, NY appearances of the Everly Brothers are as follows...September 26, 1970 at the War Memorial (tickets $3.00, $4.50, $5.00)...August 25, 1984 at New York State Fair Grandstand....July 12, 1987 at Landmark Theater (tickets $17.50, $15.50)...August 27, 1990 at New York State Fair- Miller Court (free with admission ticket)....PS- Everly's also appeared near here at the Turning Stone Casino.

Phil Everly a true "Rock & Roll Legend" will be deeply missed.


Side Notes-

Longtime Syracuse friend Ed Murphy who attended the Sept 16, 1957 show reports- After the Everly Brothers performed that night they left the War Memorials via the Montgomery Street exit and drove off in a Pontiac Bonniville. Also attend by WOLF/WNDR DJ Dick Snyder ("The Music Provider") who was attending his very first rock concert at age 16.  Thanks Dick +++

Another friend Rob Robbins  still has photos of the Everly's appearance at the NYS Fair grandstand in August 25, 1984.. Ron Bee & Joe Sawmiller were there August 27, 1990 to see the Everly's play Miller Court at the New York State Fair. And Gary Podsiedlik attended the Turning Stone Casino Reunion Show.

We do have a program from that great night " Biggest Show of Stars 1957" (Sept 16, 1957) and  2 photos taken backstage by Lou Barile with the Everly Brothers and The Crickets & Buddy Holly......but not a ticket stub...

Thursday, January 2, 2014

HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 119 - MORE FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO PERFORMED OR SPOKE IN CNY (1978)

Jan 11, 1978       Jethro Tull                                    War Memorial

Jan 26, 1978       Romantics                                    Firebarn Tavern
                           Flashcubes

Feb 4, 1978        Salt City 6                                   Dinkler Motor Lodge

Feb 12, 1978      Emerson, Lake & Palmer             War Memorial

Feb 19, 1978      Santana                                        SU Manley Fieldhouse
                           Eddie Money

Feb 19, 1978       Sandy Bigtree Band                     Mark IV

Feb 25, 1978       Harry Chapin                               Landmark Theater

Feb 26, 1978       Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore)    No Syracuse Music

Feb 27, 1978        Flashcubes                                  LeMoyne College

Mar 9, 1978          805 (Dave Porter)                      Uncle Sam's
                              Flashcubes

Mar 15, 1978        Carmel Quinn                             Landmark Theater

Mar 17, 1978        Blue Oyster Cult                         War Memorial

Mar 24, 1978        Joe Jackson                                Uncle Sam's

May 27, 1978        The Police                                   Uncle Sam's

May 29, 1978        Bob Segar                                   War Memorial
                              The Sweet

Mar 31, 1978        Joan Jett & Runaways                  Brookside Club

Apr 9, 1978          Ferrante & Teicher                       Famous Artists

Apr 10, 1978        Syracuse Symphony Orchestra plays Carnegie Hall in New York.

Apr 12, 1978         Duke Ellington Orchestra             Civic Center

Apr 18, 1978         Bonnie Raitt                                 Landmark Theater
                              John Hall

Apr 24, 1978         David Bromberg                           Landmark Theater

Mar 26, 1978        Marshall Tucker Band                   War Memorial
                              Wet Willie

Mar 27, 1978         Stanley Clarke                              SU Archbold Gym
                               Jan Hammer

Apr 6, 1978            Elvis Costello                                Landmark Theater
                               Mink DeVille
                               Nick Lowe

May 6, 1978           Loretta Lynn                                 War Memorial
                               Conway Twitty
                               Ernest Tubb

May 9, 1978           Grateful Dead                                War Memorial

May 10, 1978         Edgar Bergan & Charlie McCarthy   Civic Center

May 10, 1978         Mitch Miller                                  SUNY Morrisville

May 14, 1978         Natalie Cole                                  Landmark Theater

May 16, 1978         Eddie Kendricks                            Landmark Theater

May 28, 1978         Kinks                                             Landmark Theater

June 3, 1978           Bob Marley & Wailers                   Landmark Theater

June 9, 1978           Foghat                                           War Memorial

June 16, 1978         Stompin Suede Greasers                Jamesville Grove

June 24, 1978         Sarah Vaughan                              Landmark Theater

Jane 26, 1978         Andy Gibb                                    War Memorial

June 28, 1978         Humble Pie                                    Uncle Sam's

July 6, 1978            Ramones                                        Uncle Sam's
                               Flashcubes

July 7-13                 Ronnie Leigh & Co.                        Frankies Steak House

July 16, 1978          England Dan & John Ford Coley     Landmark Theater

July 23, 1978          Genesis w/ Phil Collins                    War Memorial

July 28, 1978          Average White Band                       War Memorial
                               Lynard Skynard

July 30, 1978          Sha Na Na                                      War Memorial

Aug 15, 1978          Freddie King                                   Jamesville Grove
                               Sandy Bigtree Band
                               Moss Back Mule Band
                               Mark Hoffmann
                               Home Grown

Aug 26, 1978          Doobie Brothers                              War Memorial
                                Eddie Money

Aug 27, 1978           Frank Sinatra                                  War Memorial

Aug 28, 1978          Pat & Debbie Boone                       NYS Fair

Aug 29, 1978          Seals & Crofts                                 NYS Fair

Aug 30, 1978          Kenny Rogers                                  NYS Fair
                               Dottie West
                               Oak Ridge Boys

Aug 31, 1978          Osmonds                                         NYS Fair

Sept 1-3                  Jimmy Cavallo                                 NYS Fair

Sept 2, 1978            C.R.A.C.                                        NYS Fair

Sept 12, 1978          Bruce Springsteen                          War Memorial

Sept 15, 978            B.B . King                                     Landmark Theater
                                Bobby Blue Bland

Sept 20, 1978         Joe Jackson                                   Landmark Theater

Sept 22, 1978         Bob Dylan                                      War Memorial

Sept 23, 1978         Del Shannon                                    War Memorial
                               The Regents (Barbara Ann)
                               Bobby Rydell
                               The Belmonts
                               Freddy Cannon
                               Marvelettes

Sept 23-24             Van Cliburn                                   Civic Center

Oct 7, 1978             Heart  (Wilson Sisters)                  Landmark Theater

Oct 19, 1978           Sea Level                                      Uncle Sam's

Oct 24, 1978           The Police                                     Firebarn Tavern
                                Flashcubes

Oct 27, 1978           Count Basie Orch                         Landmark Theater

Nov 1, 1978            Jethro Tull                                    War Memorial
Nov 13                     Uriah Heep

Nov 2, 1978           Frank Sinatra                                War Memorial

Nov 2, 1978           Little Feat                                     Landmark Theater

Nov 3, 1978           Liza Minnelli                                 War Memorial

Nov 8, 1978           Al Stewart                                    War Memorial

Nov 12, 1978         Alligators                                      Mark IV

Nov 18, 1978         Jimmy Cliff                                    Landmark Theater

Nov 21, 1978         Aerosmith                                     War Memorial
                               Golden Earning

Dec 3, 1978           Buffy Ste Marie                              War Memorial

Dec 8, 1978           Harry Blackstone Jr (Magic Show)   Civic Center

Dec 14, 1978         Boston                                           War Memorial

Dec 16, 1978         Todd Hobin Band                          Firebarn Tavern

Dec 17, 1978        Flashcubes                                      Jabberwocky

Dec 28, 1978         805 (Dave Porter)                          Uncle Sam's

Dec 28, 1978        Livin Ennd                                       Jabberwocky
                             Loose

Dec 30, 1978        Ted Nugent                                     War Memorial

Dec 31, 1978        Pat Benetar                                      Uncle Sam's
                              Flashcubes