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Chubby Checker, shown here with the "mentor of us all," Dick Clark, is Philly's perrenial Superstar... Chubby is in "Gene Arnold's History Of Disco" Hall Of Fame for creating the first DISCO,when Regine's Of Paris opened so that people could dance to his International Hit.."The Twist," instead of to live bands. Chubby created the "step" used by most people who dance-apart at discos, clubs, weddings..wherever.."The Pony.." even though you may not realize that's what you call the dance you are doing. Listen to Chubby tell his story on our History Of Disco" series, and to our "LiveFrom LA" show for a great story about Terry and I making Chubby take the trolley home from his first major appearance back in Philly after worldwide stardom just to make sure he kept his "roots." Dick Clark say's 3 "things happened to change the music world forever..Elvis..The Beatles, and Chubby and the Twist" Chubby is fighting for a statue in the Rock n' Roll Hall Of Fame. Go to www.ChubbyChecker.com and tell him how much you appreciate him. He's a great person, hard worker, and deserves more recognition than he gets! Chubby was to attend our wedding but got held-over for more shows in Austrailia and couldn't make it. Old friend Russ Edwards (Sean Thomas then) and I wrote lots of songs with a "special twist" to them in those days..at about $50.00 for each "idea" or lyric concept.
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Frankie Avalon and Giant Gene go way back to Gene's days as Rick Roman, when they both were starting out as singers. Frankie played trumpet in a club band called "Rocco and The Saints," and cut "De De Dinah" for Chancellor Records, who Rick's manager was trying to work out a deal with. We've spent lot's of time together over the years here, in Bermuda, and (shown here as Gene "jokingly" sings "My Way" to Frankie and Tommy Driesson (who was Frank Sinatra's "personal opening comedian"), just to make him feel "at home" when all appeared at the Grand Opening of DJ's Fashion Center For Men with Tommy, Frankie, and the Supremes on the famed "Ocean 1" in Atlantic City. Our "fourth" son, Jody's best pal Paul "D", was also there to give a hand as he did many times. Thanks, guys. If you want to look really young, go to www.frankieavalon.com...and try his "secrets."
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NAZZ was a great young group when we first met in 1968. Their big hit, "Hello, It's Me" was sung by STEWKEY, shown here with Gene during their recent radio interview. Gene introduced them at his "BE-IN" in the early years, and again at the Brotherly Love Concerts at the TLA and The Thrill Show. Hear there interview and all their great hits at www.giantgene.com, and visit Stewkey and Nazz at www.stewkey.com. If you noticed Gene wearing the studded denim jacket shown here, it's on the first page while he wears it in 1969.
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Gene and his pal the late, great "DR Shock" play in a celebrity softball game at Veteran's Stadium in Philly, now just a great memory. Gene and Dr. Shock had ton's of fun on his TV show, and on Gene's radio shows. They once did a Halloween radio special from a cemetery in Cherry Hill at midnight, and Gene trusted the sure-handed magician to the point that he let him shave half of his beard off on TV with one stroke of a straight razor. Boy, if there were tapes of that one around, (along with any airchecks of any of our shows,) that would be great. A flood destroyed many of our treasured video and audio tapes, which are impossible to duplicate UNLESS YOU have one. Please e.mail us at giantgene@rock.com and let us know, all of you "air-check" freaks out there. I did receive one from Julius, the great WCAU aircheck giant. Thank you so much.
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Giant Gene MC'd Stevie Wonder at the Main Point when Stevie was breaking in his "Inner Visions" album. Stevie guested on his radio shows many times, and one evening when a previous caller talked about heroin and addiction, asking us for help, Stevie talked about his idol, Ray Charles, and the problems people have who become addicted, like losing entire fortunes.
Stevie Wonder can SEE more than ANYONE I know...(including my other friend Jose Feliciano who rides motorcycles with his wife's help. The worst we ever did was let Stevie steer in the parking lot. Thank you, Stevie, for the pleasure you have brought the world.
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Philly Pop Music, a new documentary film in production by George Manney and B.L.A.S.T. - Brotherly Love All-Star Tour productions.
Including interviews & commentary from:
Charlie Gracie, The Orlons, The Soul Survivors, Dee Dee Sharp, Len Barry, The Dreamlovers, The Tymes, Billy Paul, The Larks, Barbara Mason, Jay & The Techniques, Stewkey (of Nazz), American Dream, Frank Stallone, Earl Young (MFSB, Baker-Harris-Young), Joe Sgro (Cameo session guitarist), Sam Reed (Uptown band leader), Mandrake Memorial, Edison Electric Band, Johnny's Dance Band, Bacon Brothers, Linda Cohen, Pat Martino, Rufus Harley, Tommy Conwell, Robert Hazard, Marah, Silvertide, Illvibe Collective, A's, Kenn Kweder, Beru Revue, Last Minute Jam Band... along with producers & promoters such as Larry Magid (Electric Factory concerts & Live Aid - Live 8 promoter), Joe Tarsia (Sigma Sound Studios) Kenny Gamble (T.S.O.P. - Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Grammy producer), Joel Dorn (GRAMMY Award producer), John Madara (producer, songwriter), David Ivory (Grammy nominated engineer, The Roots), Dave Appell (Cameo-Parkway producer/songwriter), Giant Gene Arnold (Wifi-FM,WCAM-WIBG and songwriter-producer) David Carrol (Hot Club), John Travis (Dobbs), Bobby Startup (Stray Cats), plus radio DJ's: Michael Tearson (WMGK), Gene Shay (WXPN), Bruce Warren (WXPN), Debbi Calton (WMGK),
) and many, many more Philly all-star's.
WE HAVE TO TRIBUTE ANOTHER ""PIONEER" IN PHILLY MUSIC..
RUSS EDWARDS NOW BACK AND SINGING "I Won't Quit Now"
RUSS EDWARDS and Gene go waaaaay back to songwriting and singing during their early years at Cameo and then through the years of Russ and Gene writing for Terry. He started as Little Rusty and then became Sean Thomas. He had a hit, and that puzzled the label becuase they weren't looking for another "johnny Tillotson" at that time. Russ virtually created the "rock,country,folk" genre so popular today, and now, after recovering from a nasty car accident, Russ is back and better than ever.
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