Dinosaur Radio History of Syracuse Rock n Roll "Then and Now" Next live event #10 was Sunday May 31, 2015 and held at Pensabene's Casa Grande (Syracuse, NY) and with feature the Sandy Bigtree Band (Gary Lavancher, Dan "Cato" Eaton, Jimmy Johns, Pat Hodson and Sammy Hall of Famer Sandy Bigtree). Time 5-8 PM, doors opened at 4 PM. Admission is FREE.
Along with the Sandy Bigtree Band that evening will be The History of Syracuse Music All-Star Band featuring 16 of CNY's musical guests including- Buke Badikian, Ted Boileau, Mike Ferrante, Mark Hoffmann, Ed McBarron, Skip Murphy, Dave Novak, Frank Rhodes, Steve Schad, Don Shoudy, Curt Smith, Shane Storto, Ted Storto, Scotty Trudell, Bill Weiss & Mark Wildrick.. These musicians have or still perform in many of CNY best bands including- Timeline, Stroke, Blacklites, Letizia & Z Band, Nightcaps, Cross Creek, Coachmen, Hoffmann Family Band, Ad Ventures, Skip Murphy's Merry Pranksters, 3's A Crowd, El Kabong, Fab Cats, Carman Licitra & The Viking, Sermon, Jam Factory, Out of the Blue and others. They will perform over 20+ of your all-time favorite danceable songs.
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE" - CHAPTER 141- PASSING OF 1950'S VOCAL GROUP LEADER OF THE EMERALDS TOM ROYAL
On a sad note we report the passing of Thomas M. Royal April 18, 2015 at age 81. Tom was the leader of the vocal group "The Emeralds" (1955-57) and the father of the very talented Susan Royal famed drummer in many CNY bands/ Below a history of The Emeralds.
The Emeralds Syracuse vocal group (1955-57) consisted of leader Tom Royal (age 22), Greg Tierney (age 16), James Royal (age 18) and James Fagan (age 18). This great group never released any songs professionally but did have a four-song demo that included their classic song "School Boys Love' (also Red Top) that is included in Ron Wray's "History of Syracuse Music" album series.
The Emeralds earliest performance we can find dates back to October 13, 1956 at the VA Hospital for their "Helping Hands" event. That day they shared the stage with the Bigtree Sisters (Norma, Jean & Sandy), Melo Wiley and others. Next they played a show billed as "The Great Record Hop" at the Jefferson Street Armory (Feb 8, 1957) for WFBL Radio DJ Bill Thorpe & Chet Whiteside (WNDR). They appeared in Feb 1957 on Jim Deline Show on WSYR TV-3 and then at the Syracuse War Memorial during half-time at a Syracuse Nationals NBA game vs the Rochester Royals on Feb 14, 1957. Next Emeralds sang at the Jewish Community Center (March 2, 1957) with the Orange Peels.
November 1, 1957. brought the Emeralds to a Nottingham High football game for a stunning half-time performance then ended the year Dec 20, 1957 playing a Radio Talent show at the War Memorial with headliner Thurston Harris who had a national hit with "Little Bitty Pretty One". Also on that show was local area performers- The Eldaros (Bobby Green), Jennie Lee Lambert, Rhythm Cadets (Bebo Singleton & Otis Smith), Tex Roe (Country singer) , Johnny Carlo, Bobby Hosid and others.
April 18, 1958 The Emeralds shared the Lincoln Auditorium stage with Louis Armstrong and His All-Star band. A few weeks alter (May 7, 1958) came the Syracuse Youth Rally at the War Memorial with the 4 Vagabonds, Dick Van Dyke and Baseball Hall of Famer- Jackie Robinson. Then traveled to Rochester appearing at the Cotton Club.
A great career and a legendary great vocal group that we are still talking about to this day.
Sunday, April 12, 2015
HISTORY OF SYRACUSE MUSIC "OFFICIAL SITE- CHAPTER 140- TONY TRISCHKA, PETER ASHER & JEFF ALAN ROSS MAKE SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT DINOSAUR RADIO'S HISTORY OF SYRACUSE- ROCK N ROLL "THEN & NOW" LIVE CROSS CREEK REUNION SHOW APRIL 12, 2015 AT PENSABENE'S (UPDATED)
When your involved in music every once in a while something wonderful happens when you least expect it. Well we can put Sunday April 12th, 2015 (5-8 PM) on that list. That evening Dinosaur Radio's History of Syracuse Rock n Roll "Then and Now" live events showcased Creek Creek (reunion) along with Skip Murphy's Merry Pranksters at Pensabene's Casa Grande in Syracuse, NY
As the afternoon progressed wonderful things happened even before band soundchecks- first world famous musician Tony Trischka (banjo great) arrived unexpectedly. Tony had just performed in London, England took a flight to New York City and then drove to Syracuse. His first words to me "Ron I just had to be here". He referred to joining on stage his former Cross Creek band mates in a very rare reunion performance.
As the show started Skip Murphy's Merry Pranksters filled the room with hot danceable music as always with veterans Dave Liddy, Mark Gibson. Mike Ranger. Sharon Allen, Dave Schneider, Wayne Stevens, George Newton & Sammy Hall of Famer-Skip Murphy.
Then it was time for one of Syracuse's greatest all-time groups Cross Creek to take the stage. Dave Novak, John Cadley, Danny Weiss, John Dancks, Fred Lawrence, George Newton, Jimmy Johns and the great Tony Trischka. A great performance with great voices, and superb musicians. As we took in I remember thinking this is one events that we'll talk about for a long while.
As the evening worn down in walked Sammy hall of Famer David Rezak with friends Peter Asher (Peter & Gordon) along with Jeff Alan Ross (of Badfinger) who were in town speaking at Syracuse University classes. Well I thought this was great they came to say hello. Well that was not the case, Peter Asher & Jeff Allen Ross came on stage and preformed many of their hits with Cross Creek.- I Go To Pieces, World Without Love, No Matter What, Take It Easy, 6 Days of the Road and more.
All in attendance were shocked and amazed that these superstars came unannounced and performed with Cross Creek . The full home, stood, danced, and applauded. At the end I stood their amazed at what had just happened, three of the greats (Trischka, Asher & Ross) all came and performed right here in Syracuse. Now that a great piece of Syracuse Music History.
Attending from Dinosaur Radio group were- Nick Caplan, Lee Goodman, Craig Fox, Melissa Midgely, Tony Fallico and Ron Wray.
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