On this day in 1967 {May 27th} the Buckinghams perform "Kind of a Drag" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" on the late Dick Clark's American Bandstand... Five months earlier on December 31st, 1966 "Kind of a Drag" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100; and on February 18th it peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} and spent 13 week in the Top 100... And three weeks later on June 17th "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" entered the Top 100, eventually it reached #5 and stayed 12 weeks in the Top 100... R.I.P. Mr. Clark...
Nick Fortuna's father Tony worked at my school. A really nice guy. When "Kind Of A Drag" (the album) came out, I saved up lawn mowing money to buy the mono LP. I then brought the record to school and begged Mr. Fortuna to have Nick sign my album. The next week, he returned the album signed by all of them. I still have it framed on the wall of my rec room and still treasure the memories of "knowing a relative of a star" when I was a 10 year old kid.
Great song - love it! I'm researching to show a younger friend through email. When I was a young teen, my dad thought he was singing, "Canada Dry", ya know, like ginger ale... LOL! Me and my older brother had to laugh and tell him no, it' "Kind of a Drag". Actually, I can see how he could believe that. It really does sound like canada dry if you don't know any better.
Today ,Nick is still on bass and Carl (formerly the guitarist) is singing lead. We saw them here in Indiana 4 years ago. Great group still. See them if you can.
february 18th 1967 to february 18th 2017. a very special day. celebrating 50 years. congratulations on this landmark & once in a lifetime occasion. YOU SEE- ON THIS DAY, I WAS TWO YEARS AND 7 MONTHS OLD- WHEN THE BUCKINGHAMS WENT TO NUMBER 1 ON "BILLBOARDS" CHART WITH "KIND OF A DRAG". FOR ON THIS DAY, 50 YEARS AGO, IS THE BIRTHDAY OF MY 1ST MEMORY: THIS #1 HIT SONG!!! WONT YOU CELEBRATE WITH ME?....LIL BRO
1: Named "The Buckinghams" after the Buckingham fountain in Chicago. It is correct that they chose it because it sounded British. 2: I liked "Don't You Care", "Mercy Mercy Mercy" and "Susan" more than their #1 song.
I was born in '64, so I was very young when this record came out. At the time that I became aware of this song, the Vietnam War was going on, and the draft. I thought the song was called "(on)Account of the Draft". It makes sense, cause your baby says goodbye, you want to cry, and the guy will always love her, anyway... And yes, I was a very unusual toddler. I had the awareness of an adult, in a tiny child's body.
One of the originals George LeGros was drafted. By the time he came back he'd been replaced. He played for many years in Madison WI. He was a real special guy.
@@tonosrecords Sorry, just now saw this comment! (I hate YT... they don't notify me of all comments!) "Teen Town" was a music variety show out of Detroit in the late 60's.
My Gentle Pitt Bull the old Mighty Pitbull a great dog I've owned three Dobermans in the last 30 years to get back to music Beatles Stones Beach Boys how about this one the Dave Clark Five they're all good I want to thank you for replying back have a great night take care
@@chipgaasche4933 - If my band had grabbed the Billboard #1 slot competing against The Stones, The Monkees, and The Beatles for even 15 minutes - I'd have shouted it from the rooftops!
I love how Carl, and Nick were'nt interested in the song...probably because Dennis Tufano was singing it..Just my opinion....I'm sure songs that were "hits" weren't all hits from the beginning. Dennis continues to sing this song into the hearts of many Americans, and we love it!...sory to say that we love it when Dennis sings it (the actual singer of the song).
funny you mention that. i was just watching walk away renee this morning and thought that which is what brought me to this video. they do look a like but i think part of it is the black and white videos of each. maybe a little less so looking at this color one of Dennis.
the '80s and '90s were all about being too cool and overcritical and it's a bit sad to see them diss their own song like that. Much like Clapton said he hated, "For Your Love".
But, really, who should be credited for their hit music? It's not unusual to find record companies and producers substituting studio musicians to achieve a faster hit results. Recording studio time means money. I was told "The Playboys" who backed Gary Lewis, they weren't playing on all the hits. Carl, of The Buckinghams, did like me stating their "Back In Love Again" song was a potential Top 40 hit, but it fizzled thin and failed.
genuineuni According to Carol Kaye (Wrecking Crew), the Buckinghams recorded their first album (USA) with then manager Carl Bonafede adding just the jazz ensemble. Studio musicians were used for subsequent James Guercio (Columbia) albums. It's a shame that 'Back In Love Again' wasn't a major hit. Maybe if they had released it earlier....
60s70sChicagoRock Hi! Thanks for the info! Group like, The Beau Brummels, recorded their own music. I typically watch the drummer (RUclips videos) to see how closely he replicates the "hit". Carol Kaye? Boy, she was upset about the Wrecking film, felt it was created for money, not to provide a great amount of information.
genuineuni Thanks for reminding me about that documentary, I still need to see it! (Particularly interested in the Beach Boys connection.) I've been following the Buckinghams since I saw them for the first time... early '67. Last month, the original members (except for Jon Poulos who died in '80) reunited for Marty Grebb's fundraiser. Here's my clip of that great song that should have been a hit! :) ruclips.net/video/GaVQdEfAVdU/видео.html
There's been bad blood between them since the 80's, when Dennis wanted to go do his own thing. Even though he did join up with Carl and Nick for a couple of 'reunion' shows last year, I think there are still some hard feelings. Hope I'm wrong.
LordofDublin4 - They were talking about Dennis Miccolis, not Marty Grebb. Dennis was their keyboard player prior to USA Records' release of 'Kind of a Drag.' Miccolis left (or was fired?), then Grebb joined and they went on to release all their other major hits via Columbia records and James Guercio as their mgr.
@@60s70sChicagoRock.... thanks for the clarification ! I became more familiar with MG, as a point of information, when he was with the Fabulous Rhinestones. They were a band that played in a club in my homestate of Connecticut called the Salty Dog which was owned by a friend of mine back in the 70s.
@@60s70sChicagoRock .... the Rhinestones.... Kal David, Harvey Brooks, and Marty Grebb. Listened to them many, many nights back in "74, '75, 76. I hoped some years ago that I would have made it out to Kal David's club in Palm Springs called the Blues Guitar. Anyway .....
@@LordofDublin4 I didn't know... or forgot... that Marty was in the Fabulous Rhinestones. It's unfortunate that they did not chart with other hits. Their only hit in Chicago was 'What A Wonderful Thing We Have'... absolutely love that song! But sadly, there was no follow up here. I actually found a used copy of their self-titled album a few years ago, so thanks for the reminder... gonna take it for another spin on my turntable! Don't know if you've seen vids I posted in 2015 from a fundraiser for Marty, who is a cancer survivor. It was a great reunion of the original Buckinghams! (There are a couple from this show I've posted, plus elsewhere on YT.) Thanks for commenting!! ruclips.net/video/szz0DUOeYhE/видео.html
@@60s70sChicagoRock .... nice to hear from you again. I have 2 Fabulous Rhinestones albums from the mid 70s. I'll send you the titles. One does feature that great song What a Wonderful Thing We Have . A beautiful composition. And a dear friend some years ago found a bootleg on CD of that album. And gave it to me as a Christmas stocking stuffer. It came from Japan of all places. Those were great days, the mid 70s for me and music. Frampton Comes Alive lived on my turntable 😎 Wish there was a time machine 😥
Dennis Miccolis was the keyboardist on the recording who left/was fired. He was briefly replaced by Larry Nestor, but it is the multi-talented Marty Grebb that you see here in the video.
Number 1 song, because of Dennis Tufano's excellent voice!!!
On this day in 1967 {May 27th} the Buckinghams perform "Kind of a Drag" and "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" on the late Dick Clark's American Bandstand...
Five months earlier on December 31st, 1966 "Kind of a Drag" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100; and on February 18th it peaked at #1 {for 2 weeks} and spent 13 week in the Top 100...
And three weeks later on June 17th "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" entered the Top 100, eventually it reached #5 and stayed 12 weeks in the Top 100...
R.I.P. Mr. Clark...
This song is the epitome of the 60’s sound..One of my favorites!!
Nick Fortuna's father Tony worked at my school. A really nice guy. When "Kind Of A Drag" (the album) came out, I saved up lawn mowing money to buy the mono LP. I then brought the record to school and begged Mr. Fortuna to have Nick sign my album. The next week, he returned the album signed by all of them. I still have it framed on the wall of my rec room and still treasure the memories of "knowing a relative of a star" when I was a 10 year old kid.
Cool story, thanks for sharing!
And it was a number 1 song.Way to go!
That’s awesome!😊
Never will there be anything like this again in music...Buckinghams and the Cryan Shames,Chicago should be proud.
i was a junior in H.S. in 66 & this song, more than almost any other, brings back some special memories every time I hear it. Thanks for posting!
Great song brings back fond memories of the past and my childhood.
thanks for this post. loved the song back in the day, and still love it today.
Can’t believe members of the band didn’t like the song. I think it is still great today.
Graduated that year from high school, loved this song. One year later the army grabbed me!
I love the 60s and this song !
Kind of a drag you don't hear great songs play on the radio like 1960s and 1970s music with "feelings" anymore...Whatever happened??? 😥
Love the mid 60s through the 70s. Keep the sounds coming our way.
Hey Carl, How about a "shout out", to Dennis Tufano!...The song would not have made it without the sounds of Dennis's vocals!
Stood the test of time still a cool song
One of the Very Best Songs!!! :D
The Buckinghams knocked this song out of the park!
Great song - love it! I'm researching to show a younger friend through email. When I was a young teen, my dad thought he was singing, "Canada Dry", ya know, like ginger ale... LOL! Me and my older brother had to laugh and tell him no, it' "Kind of a Drag". Actually, I can see how he could believe that. It really does sound like canada dry if you don't know any better.
Today ,Nick is still on bass and Carl (formerly the guitarist) is singing lead. We saw them here in Indiana 4 years ago. Great group still. See them if you can.
february 18th 1967 to february 18th 2017. a very special day. celebrating 50 years. congratulations on this landmark & once in a lifetime occasion. YOU SEE- ON THIS DAY, I WAS TWO YEARS AND 7 MONTHS OLD- WHEN THE BUCKINGHAMS WENT TO NUMBER 1 ON "BILLBOARDS" CHART WITH "KIND OF A DRAG". FOR ON THIS DAY, 50 YEARS AGO, IS THE BIRTHDAY OF MY 1ST MEMORY: THIS #1 HIT SONG!!! WONT YOU CELEBRATE WITH ME?....LIL BRO
Wow! Great video. You learn something everyday. Thank you for posting.
very beautiful song, great music & memories of life, standard of excellence
This was another favorite of mine growing up. Thanks for the post.
1: Named "The Buckinghams" after the Buckingham fountain in Chicago. It is correct that they chose it because it sounded British.
2: I liked "Don't You Care", "Mercy Mercy Mercy" and "Susan" more than their #1 song.
I loved the song. Still do, organ was awesome
One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES!!!
I was born in '64, so I was very young when this record came out. At the time that I became aware of this song, the Vietnam War was going on, and the draft.
I thought the song was called "(on)Account of the Draft". It makes sense, cause your baby says goodbye, you want to cry, and the guy will always love her, anyway...
And yes, I was a very unusual toddler. I had the awareness of an adult, in a tiny child's body.
Always great to hear this song! ❤
I loved this song when it came out and I still love it today.
LOVE YOU GUYS! I can listen to this song over and over..Dennis is so Handsome!!!! Thank you for recording this song and your fans still love you
love this song back then and I love it NOW
The Bucks # 1 song! Gotta love this one.
One of the originals George LeGros was drafted. By the time he came back he'd been replaced. He played for many years in Madison WI. He was a real special guy.
Love this song.
@TheVideoJukebox Thanks, Davy! I hope to put up a couple more Buckinghams next week :)
At 00:16 it says Teen Town (1966), can you tell me what that means?
@@tonosrecords Sorry, just now saw this comment! (I hate YT... they don't notify me of all comments!) "Teen Town" was a music variety show out of Detroit in the late 60's.
I love their songs.
Love this song
What a great song kind of a drag beating out the Beatles and the stones and from Chicago on top of it simply incredible what a great song
Joseph Taverna I love it, beat out the Beatles. Don't get me wrong I like the Beatles.
My Gentle Pitt Bull the old Mighty Pitbull a great dog I've owned three Dobermans in the last 30 years to get back to music Beatles Stones Beach Boys how about this one the Dave Clark Five they're all good I want to thank you for replying back have a great night take care
"Beating the Beatles and the Stones" is kinda deceiving..timing is everything. A record can be #1 only for so long.
@@chipgaasche4933 - If my band had grabbed the Billboard #1 slot competing against The Stones, The Monkees, and The Beatles for even 15 minutes - I'd have shouted it from the rooftops!
By the way for anybody reading these comments if you notice and today's music you never hear the organ anymore just thought I would point that out
Adding the horns would be the signature trademark of their producer, James William Guercio (BST, Chicago).
Nice Blue Eyed Soul Piece.
nice lady, magical music.
At 13...loved it then. Love it today..
When I was a tiny wee lad I always thought this song was about Canada Dry ginger ale.
Sometimes even the simple tunes appeal to the public and they become top hits!
amazing band!!
I was 9 or 10 when this song was popular
Yeah! Chicago!
I love how Carl, and Nick were'nt interested in the song...probably because Dennis Tufano was singing it..Just my opinion....I'm sure songs that were "hits" weren't all hits from the beginning. Dennis continues to sing this song into the hearts of many Americans, and we love it!...sory to say that we love it when Dennis sings it (the actual singer of the song).
is it just me or does this lead singer and leftbanks(walk away renee)singer look a lot alike?
They do, now that you mention it. Dennis Tufano (Bucks) and Steve Martin Caro (LB), both were hotties to me, back in the day :)
funny you mention that. i was just watching walk away renee this morning and thought that which is what brought me to this video. they do look a like but i think part of it is the black and white videos of each. maybe a little less so looking at this color one of Dennis.
Awesome Song Thanks 🎶🎶🎶🎶🏆
Great song with outstanding arrangement and vocals! The horns are especially effective!
thanks to James William Guercio... and later he helped product Blood Sweat and Tears, the of course...Chicago...
Oh my God :) that's Leeza Gibbons talking in the beginning only because of her voice did I recognize her, still hot
Wow I love it.
Not a Wimpy Tune!
My favorite by them is “Don’t You Care?”.
They were all good, but my favourite was "Mercy"
its kind of a Drag when 27 haters come on in here push thumbs 👇
the Organ sure adds something! Love "Don't you Care" too.
I thought they were British, wow Chicago boys.
50 yrs ago today Chicago Rock #ugottalisten2b4udie.
Mmmm I miss Leeza Gibbons.Had a crush on her back in the 80s
My first “break up song” 😳
The release of the song "dragged out, " but still made number one anyway, anyway.
By the way, I wonder if anyone has the B-side to this single. Song was called "You make me feel good". If so, please let me know.
@DrHogfan Nice song...but I don't think it exists on film. If I should come across it, I will post it :)
Yep, definitely a 'baby boomer' Classic #1
good and something different. But I think i'd still prefer the black and white video. theres a sense of "innocence " about it
the '80s and '90s were all about being too cool and overcritical and it's a bit sad to see them diss their own song like that. Much like Clapton said he hated, "For Your Love".
Yeah a whole lot of classics got dissed
great for that time.still good
But, really, who should be credited for their hit music? It's not unusual to find record companies and producers substituting studio musicians to achieve a faster hit results. Recording studio time means money. I was told "The Playboys" who backed Gary Lewis, they weren't playing on all the hits. Carl, of The Buckinghams, did like me stating their "Back In Love Again" song was a potential Top 40 hit, but it fizzled thin and failed.
genuineuni According to Carol Kaye (Wrecking Crew), the Buckinghams recorded their first album (USA) with then manager Carl Bonafede adding just the jazz ensemble. Studio musicians were used for subsequent James Guercio (Columbia) albums. It's a shame that 'Back In Love Again' wasn't a major hit. Maybe if they had released it earlier....
60s70sChicagoRock Hi! Thanks for the info! Group like, The Beau Brummels, recorded their own music. I typically watch the drummer (RUclips videos) to see how closely he replicates the "hit".
Carol Kaye? Boy, she was upset about the Wrecking film, felt it was created for money, not to provide a great amount of information.
genuineuni
Thanks for reminding me about that documentary, I still need to see it! (Particularly interested in the Beach Boys connection.) I've been following the Buckinghams since I saw them for the first time... early '67. Last month, the original members (except for Jon Poulos who died in '80) reunited for Marty Grebb's fundraiser. Here's my clip of that great song that should have been a hit! :) ruclips.net/video/GaVQdEfAVdU/видео.html
Who got the money when this song hit number one and they didnt have a recording contract or a manager?
@bze2nlz1 Is there any chance that "It's a Beautiful Day" is on film ?
Cool!
Why don't they ever talk about Dennis Tufano
There's been bad blood between them since the 80's, when Dennis wanted to go do his own thing. Even though he did join up with Carl and Nick for a couple of 'reunion' shows last year, I think there are still some hard feelings. Hope I'm wrong.
60s70sChicagoRock I get the sense Dennis is a nice guy
gacj2010
Have met him a couple times, he is very nice!
" FIRED " Marty Grebb the keyboardist? Mistake. He was , and still is, a true talent.
LordofDublin4 - They were talking about Dennis Miccolis, not Marty Grebb. Dennis was their keyboard player prior to USA Records' release of 'Kind of a Drag.' Miccolis left (or was fired?), then Grebb joined and they went on to release all their other major hits via Columbia records and James Guercio as their mgr.
@@60s70sChicagoRock.... thanks for the clarification ! I became more familiar with MG, as a point of information, when he was with the Fabulous Rhinestones. They were a band that played in a club in my homestate of Connecticut called the Salty Dog which was owned by a friend of mine back in the 70s.
@@60s70sChicagoRock .... the Rhinestones.... Kal David, Harvey Brooks, and Marty Grebb. Listened to them many, many nights back in "74, '75, 76. I hoped some years ago that I would have made it out to Kal David's club in Palm Springs called the Blues Guitar. Anyway .....
@@LordofDublin4 I didn't know... or forgot... that Marty was in the Fabulous Rhinestones. It's unfortunate that they did not chart with other hits. Their only hit in Chicago was 'What A Wonderful Thing We Have'... absolutely love that song! But sadly, there was no follow up here. I actually found a used copy of their self-titled album a few years ago, so thanks for the reminder... gonna take it for another spin on my turntable! Don't know if you've seen vids I posted in 2015 from a fundraiser for Marty, who is a cancer survivor. It was a great reunion of the original Buckinghams! (There are a couple from this show I've posted, plus elsewhere on YT.) Thanks for commenting!! ruclips.net/video/szz0DUOeYhE/видео.html
@@60s70sChicagoRock .... nice to hear from you again. I have 2 Fabulous Rhinestones albums from the mid 70s. I'll send you the titles. One does feature that great song What a Wonderful Thing We Have . A beautiful composition. And a dear friend some years ago found a bootleg on CD of that album. And gave it to me as a Christmas stocking stuffer. It came from Japan of all places. Those were great days, the mid 70s for me and music. Frampton Comes Alive lived on my turntable 😎 Wish there was a time machine 😥
a friend opened his new Dylan album but this disc was inside by mistake kind of a drag...
And oh Carl yet you're still singing it
Sometimes something stupid ends up being what ya need
DENNIS TUFANO WAS THE BEST.
Thank you for sharing his name. I was trying my best to find out who the lead singer was... Dennis Tufano!
And he's still the best.
I'm going to be brave enough to ask this: Did the Buckinghams ever play The Palace? O
@Joel Lafargue Where exactly was The Palace? If it was in the Chicago... or Midwest area, chances are they did!
@@60s70sChicagoRock Actually, I was making a joke based on the band's name.
@@joellafargue9882 Lol... there were so many clubs around this area, who knew... I could've missed or forgotten one! But yeah, you got me there. 😄
Ahooooo first loves ahoooooo
Nice shoulder pads, lady.
It was the ugly 80's, remember?
+60s70sChicagoRock
No excuse!
He said they fired their keyboard player. Good idea, he screwed up some notes [I play myself, I know what he did wrong.]
Dennis Miccolis was the keyboardist on the recording who left/was fired. He was briefly replaced by Larry Nestor, but it is the multi-talented Marty Grebb that you see here in the video.
Domo arigato, mister roboto.
Who's here from Hot Shots! Part Deux?
is she eating poutine?
Harry grebb !!! ...
@Michael Koszowski Marty Grebb 😉
@@60s70sChicagoRock ..i stand corrected ! ...harry grebb was a boxer in the 1930's ..lol. Thankyou.
@@michaelkoszowski3716 Lol... no problem! Thanks for watching!
You talk to much
Christina Phillips - It's a news documentary. Talking is what they do.