Loved this song in the summer of 1970 when I was only 14. Still gives me the goosebumps when I hear the opening instrumental. Life was good back then and oh so simple. Wish I could go back to this time for just one day.
I met him when he performed at a wedding for my cousin around a decade ago. When I found out he sang "Tighter, Tighter" I had to meet him and tell him how much I liked the song. He was gracious and quite the performer.
My friends and I used to go see Alive N Kickin whenever they played at a local place in Throgs Neck in the Bronx called The Red Eagle Saloon. On one particular night a friend and I went there to see them and when I walked in, a girl caught my eye. "See you later" I said to my friend and I approached her. She too was there to see Alive N Kickin. "Tighter and Tighter became our song and 40 years later we are still together. Thank you Pepe.
In 1979 I was a 22yo girl with a broken heart after breaking up with my high school boyfriend of 7 years. A co-worker, sorta friend, scraped me up and dragged me out to a club. Alive and Kicking was playing at the club and, when I think back, my life actually began that night. For some reason, Richie caught my eye from the stage and blatantly flirted with me before we even spoke. Being a very innocent 22yo, with a recently bruised heart, I fell instantly in love. My infatuation lasted almost 10 years. During that time, the entire band took pity on me and we became best of friends. Pepe and Vito were especially concerned about me. Anyone who knows anything about boys in bands knows that this behavior is highly unusual. Pepe and the rest of them - including Richie - could have and should have just blown me off. It would have been easy for them to do. I was just another groupie and they were wildly popular at the time. They definitely didn't need me hanging around, 'mooning' over Richie, who had absolutely no interest in me. He was just doing some casual flirting and never intended for me to take it seriously. But, after they all realized that I did, instead of blowing me off, they embraced me and my completely out-of-control feelings for Richie. As a result of this, Pepe and I became friends - real friends - for life. This whole scenario is highly unusual. I've been married to a working musician for over 30 years now, so I know. But, even back then, I grew up around musicians. My father, my older brother and my scumbag high school boyfriend, who cheated on me with every groupie that caught his eye, were working musicians in bands. My dad and my brother were really in it for the music - there was no cheating going on there. And, lucky for me (well, not entirely lucky because by the time I met my husband, I was well aware of the signs of a cheater), my husband is a very serious musician and not a flirt at all. Hence, the reason we're still married after 32 years. I'm sorry, I got off track of the point of my story. This all circles around to how incredible of a person Pepe is. He was always the star of the show, and yet, he never acted like a diva. He so easily could have, but that's just not who he is. Back then, he was always there for me - way too many stories to share, but that alone says it all. And then, after we totally lost touch for about 10-12 years, I saw that he was performing in my neighborhood and I went to see him. I wasn't sure that he'd even remember me. Not only did he remember me, he immediately came over to me when the band broke after the first set. He hugged me tight, told me how wonderful it was to see me and then told me that Richie had passed away. Even though it had been over a decade and he knew I was married with children of my own, Pepe delivered this news with such compassion for my feelings, that it stunned me. I hadn't seen Richie in over 15 years, and even though hearing that he'd died so young, I was more amazed by Pepe's reaction towards me and his compassion - after thinking that he might not even remember who I was - just completely took me by surprise. Since then, I stayed in close touch with Pepe for the duration of his life. I still have trouble believing that he's gone. He was truly one of a kind. So incredibly talented, with the heart and soul of an angel. God called one of his best home.
Summer 1970, when the universe comes together to create the perfect song matched with the perfect summer. I remember it so very well. Thank you Pepe, for being one of the many musical colors in the tapestry of my youth. Rest in peace good sir, your music will keep your memory Alive n' Kickin' forever.
Rest in Peace PePe. Thank you for all you have done to help support so may organizations. Harrison, NY will never forget you. Thanks for your Friendship. Miss you buddy
Rest in Peace Pepe Cardona and thank you for your awesome vocals on this amazing track. I think he was either Spanish or Puerto Rican because he was from New York but if anyone could tell me that’d be good thank you
Know some people are very wrong human beings will be listening to this humans are going to be listening to this after the fall back in time and that's how it's going to be again I guarantee you go back to that in order to survive
Loved this song in the summer of 1970 when I was only 14. Still gives me the goosebumps when I hear the opening instrumental. Life was good back then and oh so simple. Wish I could go back to this time for just one day.
He was an interesting character. I wish I'd seen more of him. I bought Tighter in 1970 and always loved it. RIP
Thank You Bob, that was a nice tribute to my husband.
You're welcome, Maria! It was my pleasure.
I met him when he performed at a wedding for my cousin around a decade ago. When I found out he sang "Tighter, Tighter" I had to meet him and tell him how much I liked the song. He was gracious and quite the performer.
Happy and fun music, never forget, peace and love to you all.
Lovely tribute
Sorry to see PePe is gone. RIP thank you for one of the greatest summertime songs ever!
Memories will never be forgotten with this great song, Thank you and RIP Pepe! 🙏
People will be listening to this song for another 50 years, rest assured.
My friends and I used to go see Alive N Kickin whenever they played at a local place in Throgs Neck in the Bronx called The Red Eagle Saloon. On one particular night a friend and I went there to see them and when I walked in, a girl caught my eye. "See you later" I said to my friend and I approached her. She too was there to see Alive N Kickin. "Tighter and Tighter became our song and 40 years later we are still together. Thank you Pepe.
In 1979 I was a 22yo girl with a broken heart after breaking up with my high school boyfriend of 7 years. A co-worker, sorta friend, scraped me up and dragged me out to a club. Alive and Kicking was playing at the club and, when I think back, my life actually began that night. For some reason, Richie caught my eye from the stage and blatantly flirted with me before we even spoke. Being a very innocent 22yo, with a recently bruised heart, I fell instantly in love. My infatuation lasted almost 10 years. During that time, the entire band took pity on me and we became best of friends. Pepe and Vito were especially concerned about me. Anyone who knows anything about boys in bands knows that this behavior is highly unusual. Pepe and the rest of them - including Richie - could have and should have just blown me off. It would have been easy for them to do. I was just another groupie and they were wildly popular at the time. They definitely didn't need me hanging around, 'mooning' over Richie, who had absolutely no interest in me. He was just doing some casual flirting and never intended for me to take it seriously. But, after they all realized that I did, instead of blowing me off, they embraced me and my completely out-of-control feelings for Richie. As a result of this, Pepe and I became friends - real friends - for life. This whole scenario is highly unusual. I've been married to a working musician for over 30 years now, so I know. But, even back then, I grew up around musicians. My father, my older brother and my scumbag high school boyfriend, who cheated on me with every groupie that caught his eye, were working musicians in bands. My dad and my brother were really in it for the music - there was no cheating going on there. And, lucky for me (well, not entirely lucky because by the time I met my husband, I was well aware of the signs of a cheater), my husband is a very serious musician and not a flirt at all. Hence, the reason we're still married after 32 years. I'm sorry, I got off track of the point of my story. This all circles around to how incredible of a person Pepe is. He was always the star of the show, and yet, he never acted like a diva. He so easily could have, but that's just not who he is. Back then, he was always there for me - way too many stories to share, but that alone says it all. And then, after we totally lost touch for about 10-12 years, I saw that he was performing in my neighborhood and I went to see him. I wasn't sure that he'd even remember me. Not only did he remember me, he immediately came over to me when the band broke after the first set. He hugged me tight, told me how wonderful it was to see me and then told me that Richie had passed away. Even though it had been over a decade and he knew I was married with children of my own, Pepe delivered this news with such compassion for my feelings, that it stunned me. I hadn't seen Richie in over 15 years, and even though hearing that he'd died so young, I was more amazed by Pepe's reaction towards me and his compassion - after thinking that he might not even remember who I was - just completely took me by surprise. Since then, I stayed in close touch with Pepe for the duration of his life. I still have trouble believing that he's gone. He was truly one of a kind. So incredibly talented, with the heart and soul of an angel. God called one of his best home.
That’s a nice story. I’ve owned bars. Most musicians are not family material. Big egos, ridiculous dreams. Etc. I’m glad you met some nice ones.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Ohhh my,....So sorry for your loss hun 😪
Always love this song❤🏃
Summer 1970, when the universe comes together to create the perfect song matched with the perfect summer. I remember it so very well.
Thank you Pepe, for being one of the many musical colors in the tapestry of my youth.
Rest in peace good sir, your music will keep your memory
Alive n' Kickin' forever.
Rest in Peace PePe. Thank you for all you have done to help support so may organizations. Harrison, NY will never forget you. Thanks for your Friendship. Miss you buddy
Rip..
Always a generous showman.
It’s just one song, but one that made a difference! I will never forget and glad to see that others will not either.
absolutely!
R.I.P. Pepe Cardona
loved this group of guys Vito and Pepe especially. I used to roadie for the band in the late eighties and early nineties. great times RIP my friend
Saw Tommy James last summer NY Sate Fair.We talked about Pepe . What a showman and talent God Bless you brother we all miss you................
Very well done 👍 Nice 😊
Rest in Peace Pepe Cardona and thank you for your awesome vocals on this amazing track. I think he was either Spanish or Puerto Rican because he was from New York but if anyone could tell me that’d be good thank you
RIP Pepe Cardona
Oh wow 😭
Grandeeee
Know some people are very wrong human beings will be listening to this humans are going to be listening to this after the fall back in time and that's how it's going to be again I guarantee you go back to that in order to survive
RIP PEPE
19 back then. Feel same everytime I hear this classic.
Pepes' wife is still alive,she posts things once in awhile.
I was a groupie from 1979 to round 1982
Always thought she sounded like Janice on this tune.
Always liked this song I thought it was a black group didn't know the lead was Latino pretty cool