The Cryan' Shames in Concert
L-R Jim Pilster, Ron Brandt, Rocky Penn, Tom Doody,Tim Rutter, Paul Wood, Larry Coveny, and James Fairs
Photo by Jules and Kent Follett
BACK STAGE WITH CHICAGO GOLD
Merrillville Star Plaza Theater, April 8th,2000
Merrillville,In.
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****CHICAGO GOLD REUNION****
Talk about a Millennium performance! There was a Chicago Gold reunionAt The Star Plaza Theater on April 8th,2000 featuring The Cryan'Shames, The Buckinghams and The Ides Of March, all of which haveperformed and toured together since the mid 1960's.They performed to apacked house, and took their audience back in time to the 60's with anawesome show. Tom Doody (Toad) left sunny California to arrive inChicago during a midwestern winter storm watch which was fortunatelyshort lived. He did consider taking "The First Train To California" uponhis arrival.
Tom Doody Singing Up On The Roof with Larry Coveny
Photo by Jules and Kent Follett
****THE CRYAN' SHAMES****
The Home page staff was upfront for the show thanks to the Shames'shospitality. Debbie Brandt was the first to greet us,and Her and Ron'snext adventure was discussed (See the Fishin' Musician's Home page). Withus was Joyce Paliulis The Ides Of March's web master, along with fans, friends andfamily members of the bands.
Originally from Hinsdale,Il. (1966), they were the Blue Village'shouse band in Westmont,Il. They made the rounds of the Chicago area'spopular teen clubs such as; The Cellar, The Green Gorilla, The NewPlace, Jaguar, The Pit, Pink Fink, and The Deep End to mention a few.The Shames really rolled out the red carpet for us this time.
The Cryan' Shames did an excellent set which got very strong positivereactions throughout their performance. Their harmony and music weretight, and the experience was like being transported back in time to asimpler, more carefree era.
Tim Rutter , the Shames's man of few words bass player (except when infront of a microphone) did a fantastic job on his vocals, while Ron Brandt (The Fishin' Musician) really reeled them in with his guitarlicks. Ron's mixolydian guitar voicing had a haunting quality on "If INeeded Someone" , leaving the audience mesmerized. Larry Coveny's andRocky Penn's vocals complimented Tom Doody (Toad) , while Paul Wood'skeyboards and guitar brought it all together.
Toad did a romantic introfor "Up On The Roof" which left the house quiet enough to hear a pindrop during the song's pause ,and the ladies present teary eyed. JimmyP. at one point tossed his tambourine a good twenty feet in the air,catching it on the way down. This was The Cryan' Shames in concert!.Showcased in their set were the hits form their (3) "Red Albums": Sugarand Spice, A Scratch In The Sky, and Synthesis. Jim Pilster (J.C. Hooke)and Toad kept the audience's attention with their antics which led up totheir surprise finale.
**** THE MYSTERY GUEST****
James Fairs playing IT Could Be We're In Love
Photo by Marlene O'Malley
After a build up of the history of their hits, they mentioned JamesFairs and explained how he had written them at age 18....they thenproceeded to ask James to join them on stage! James Fairs had beenpracticing with the band all week (at Ron's house) for the show tonight.James performed with The Shames on "it Could Be We're In Love" which hehad written 33 years earlier, and "Sugar And Spice" (from their first"Red Album").The audience applauded before they even started thefinale!.
We also got to watch James at the Shames rehearsal prior to theirshow. Seeing James with the Cryan' Shames again was a historical eventto say the least , with James and Ron's guitar licks in synch with eachother. Talk about a finale! The set ended with a standing ovation fromthe audience.
****THE IDES OF MARCH****
The Ides Of March were on next, and they were especially tight withtheir brass section. Their "Vehicle" intro was awesome and had everyonehanging on the edge of their chairs with it's dramatic, suspensefulbuildup, the sound reverberating in the air. Tom Doody later joined The Ideson "L.A. Goodbye", one of their hits. Jim Peterik also joined us backstage for apicture with the three Jims...Jim Pilster, James Fairs and Jim Peterik.
Jim Peterik's new CD "World Stage" has just been released.
Formed in Berwyn ,Il. in 1965, performing with The Ides were; JimPeterik their singer / song writer, Drummer Mike Borch, Dave Stahlberg ontrombone, Chuck Soumar and John Larson on trumpet, Bob Bergland on BassGuitar, Scott May on keyboards,and guitarist Larry Millas. The hitsshowcased in their set were; "Roller Coaster", "You Wouldn't Listen","Vehicle" and "L.A.Goodbye". Next was The Buckinghams........
****THE BUCKINGHAMS****
Originating in Chicago (1965),The Bucks did a bang up job on ALL their hits!, some of which areshowcased on their new CD "Terra Firma" ( which was for sale at the concert along withtheir T-shirts) with Carl Giammarese's vocals being exceptional, with"Kind Of A Drag" leaving the audience breathless. They were well at homein their 60's turf, to quote James Fairs after the concert.
We were already impressed with them when Carl and Bob Abramsperformed unaccompanied at a benefit last fall with the Shames, TheIdes, and Ronnie Rice. Bob also joined us for pictures backstage andentertained us with his witty humor. The Buck's band members were ; Carl Giammarese on guitar and vocals, Bob Abrams on guitar,TommyScheckel on drums, Nick Fortuna on bass, and Bruce Soboroff on keyboards.
Sue Patterson (Sweet Sue) made the ticket arrangements for the fans,and her, Marlene and Gloria took pictures for the band and Home page. Backstage passes for the home page staff were provided by the Cryan' Shames.
****BACKSTAGE****
The back stage was busy with The Ides, Bucks, Shames, friends andfamily coming and going. The excitement was heavy in the air, leavingyou with the tough decision on who to talk to first, and whether towatch the show or not .The Ides' brass section practiced,while theChicago Gold Band members mingled with everyone in the room and signedautographs . Seeing the bands perform from the backstage entrance tothe stage offered us a new inside perspective from the normal theaterseating.
Musicians carried their instruments to and from the stage smiling asthey walked by and, stopping to say hello and to chat. Upstairs was alounge where the musicians relaxed after their performance. Tom Doodyand James Fairs were relaxing in a chair, and the room was busy witheveryone discussing the highlights of the night's concert.
Paul Wood ,who is also the Shames's music director, readied the equipment for thereturn trip to Chicago, while Jim Pilster worked out the last minutedetails with the bands photographer. Ron Brandt visited with friendsand signed autographs while we discussed the possible upcoming ChicagoGold appearance on VH1 with Tim Rutter ,Rocky Penn and Larry Coveny. Timand Rocky introduced their wives to us while we got reacquainted witheveryone .Needless to say,this was a great experience.
We discussed the true meaning of the lyrics to "Ben Franklin'sAlmanac" with Caroline Doody since Tom's explanation was lost due to atechnical mishap with the Shames's on-line chat room (hoping to finallyget the answer to this mystery). We unfortunately also lost Caroline'sexplanation on the way home (It's somewhere along I-94) so the mysterycontinues...We did talk with James Fairs, and we got this much fromhim..."Frozen Sun" is the key to the ballroom event that Tom Doodymentioned in his earlier guest book entry.
Gloria Knuth (the Cryan' Shames T-shirt Lady,and in general a realsweetheart) is now the new editor of the Shame's on-line newsletterwhich appears on the home page. Also joining us as home page staff isMarlene O'Malley. An autograph session took place with the Shames, Idesand Bucks after the concert.
****A LATE DINNER WITH THE BAND****
After the concert ,we joined some of the band and family for a latedinner .James Fairs (who made the mistake of riding with us *SMILE*)ended up navigating for us on the way to the restaurant after weaccidentally got turned around (and around,and around), and we neededtwo large tables for the band and Home page staff present.
In the lobby,James was a hit with some young teenagers who knew that Jamesjust-had-to-be-somebody, shaking his hand afterwards. Sue and BillPatterson,and Gloria and Al Knuth were already there when we arrived.Tom and Carolyn Doody joined us shortly with Mike the bandsphotographer.Marlene O'Malley also rode with us, and was a co-navigator.
James rattled the waitress with his wit (he has that effect on people),and we had a pleasant late evening. Jim and Laurie Pilster were outcelebrating their 14th wedding anniversary with their daughter Ally.
Our thanks to The Cryan' Shames for a very special evening!
The Home page Staff
Note, Several different photographers contributed photos for this page. Individual credit will be given at a future date
****VH1's "Where are they now"****
Want to see the Cryan' Shames along with The Chicago Gold on VH1?Start your letter writing to VH1 at the link below and it couldhappen! The campaign has just begun, and this will be an event worth seeing.Email VH1
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