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A Group History..
"Give Me Mercy" and
"Misery Loves Company" were recorded at the CBS Studios in New York
City with Pat Jakes as studio engineer and radio disc jockey, Pee Wee
Harris, promoter.
In 1966
Ruff Francis & The Illusions consisted
of (left to right on cover) Eugene Boiani (Guitar); Jack (NewPort)
Pender (Tenor & Alto Sax); Ruff Francis (Leader, Vocal & Fender
Jazz Bass); Phil "T McNasty" Bazicki (Tenor & Alto Sax) and Mike
"Mickey" Caruso (Drums).
The
1967 group (left to right on cover) consisted
of Lyman "Butch" Strong (Hammond B-3 & Vocals); Terry Eaton (Alto
& Tenor Sax); Ruff Francis (Leader, Vocals & Fender Jazz Bass);
Alphonse "Pop" Jones (Drums); Billy Barnard (Guitar) and Troy Anthony
(Vocals - Formerly of The Flamingos).
In November
of 1977 Ruff Francis and some members from the original group and the
1967 group re-recorded "Give Me Mercy" as an up-tempo party sound at
Cathedral Sound in Rensselaer New York. Musicians included Ruff Francis
(Vocals); Lyman "Butch" Strong (Organ); Nick Brignola (Baritone Sax);
Tony Sano (Guitar); Mark Galleo (Drums);
Jack Pender (Tenor Sax); Larry "Mad Dog" Jackson (Percussion &
Vocal) and Phil Bazicki (Tenor Sax).
The group
appeared regularly at renowned clubs including "3 Way"; "Show Boat"; "Villa Valenti"; "Capp In The Hollow"; "Riveria";
"Dukes"; "Playmore Lounge"; "Villa Capri"; "Excelsior House"; "Twist
Palace"; "Hampton Manor"; "Airport Inn", Lake George, NY; "Colonie
Coliseum"; "Golden Grill", Saratoga Springs, NY; "Kittle's" and many
more.
Special
thanks to club owners and DJ's: Ed & Tom Hackett of The 3 Way.
"Thank You, Ed for giving us our first club date."; Jack & Nina
Carpinello; Sam & Emma Valente; Jimmy DeBonis; Charlie Wade; Mr.
& Mrs. Don Wooden; George & Mike Woods; Arnie Leto; Rudy
Ciccotti; Local 13 Business Agent, Frank
Vadala; Bill Rezey, Promoter and Booking Agent; Gospel and R&B DJ
Pee Wee Harris; WRGB DJ Boom Boom Brannigan; WTRY DJ Joe Condon who put
us in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Archives. Also, special thanks
to Steve Du Pont, 60's group reunion coordinator and organizer of
"Journey to the Center of the Mind" in July of 2000 & Psychotic
Reaction 2001 - A Rock Oddesy.
The group appeared with
Wilson Pickett; The Duprees; Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels; The
Orlons; Johnny Thunder; The Flamingos; The Dave Clark Five; Gary Lewis
and the Playboys; The Isley Brothers; Jimi
Hendrix; Jazz great Nick Brignola and many more!
Another special thanks to
Steve Du Pont who is responsible for having brought us all together in
the summer of 2000 in Saratoga Springs New York for a "Journey to the
Center of the Mind". A day of friendship and exact replica watches memories shared by many
groups from the 60's and 70's including The Sun Downers; The Misfits;
Apricot Brandy; The Cleaners; Ruff Francis and many more. A day we will
all remember. Lets do it again. Thank
You Steve!
THE
FINAL 60's BANDS REUNION, IN HONOR OF
BOOM BOOM BRANNIGAN, TAKES PLACE AT THE MILLSTONE LODGE, 654 SARATOGA
ROAD (ROUTE 50) , BURNT HILLS, NEW YORK ON SATURDAY, JUNE 24,
2006. THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF STEVE DUPONT, YOU WILL HEAR THE
ORIGINAL "MISFITS"; "SNAKE"; "YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW";
"MALTA RIDGE"; "CHICKEN FINGERS"; " BITS n'
PIECES"; "RUFF FRANCIS OF THE ILLUSIONS" (Hitmakers of "Give Me
Mercy") ; "JONAH"; "WEST FRONT STREET & the BRITISH
INVASION"; "SIDETRACK"; "THE MOTIONS"; "THE
NEUTRONS"; "THE NIGHTSHIFT BAND"; "GEORGE WONDERS" AND MANY
MORE.
MUSIC BEGINS AT 11:30 a.m. - ALL DAY INTO THE EVENING. PUBLIC
WELCOME! RAIN OR SHINE - BRING LAWN CHJAIRS.
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