Music

Latest from the Blog

April 28, 2020

My Big Break (Part 4)

I don't remember ever seeing a recording with one name on the label as a composer and another name (of the same person) as the artist. Well, in 1961, it happened.
Read more
April 27, 2020

My Big Break (Part 3)

Don Stirling (Petolino) was a very religious man. I remember trying to write a section of the lyric, with all my "Heart & Soul". Don was very much against the word, "Soul".
Read more
April 26, 2020

My Big Break (Part 2)

After being asked to join Connie's company, I arrived back home to tell my parents what had transpired with Don Stirling that afternoon. I told them that I met Connie Francis...
Read more
April 25, 2020

My Big Break (Part One)

I was, first, a performer, then, by a quirk of fate, I became a songwriter. It happened when I quit my job at the New York Stock Exchange in the fall of 1960.
Read more
April 25, 2020

Jon Lennon and Gary Kellgren!

We were in the midst of a recording session by a well known artist. During a break, I asked the engineer if he knew how to recreate Phil Spector's, "Wall of Sound"?
Read more
April 24, 2020

“Everything Under the Sun” was a reaction, not a title!

Larry Brown (AKA "L. Russell Brown") and I were called into Bob Crewe's Office one afternoon in the mid 1960's. Being the major songwriters on staff at Saturday Music...
Read more
April 23, 2020

It’s WHAT, NOT WHO!

This is one of a long list of complimentary articles about my experiences with a true genius, Bob Crewe. He changed the music business, himself, with his array of artists...
Read more
April 21, 2020

Edy is my Hero

My sister, Edy was always a student who studied almost, endlessly throughout her early life. Whether there was a social affair or a friend’s get together, no matter the event...
Read more
April 19, 2020

My Funniest Friend Part One

I met "Steve" at a backyard party given by my girlfriend at that time, "Terry". It was held at Terry's parent's home in fashionable Millburn, New Jersey. This was a suburban upscale town...
Read more
April 15, 2020

My Great Uncle Barney!

I remember the Centurion architecture. Walking up two sets of stairs to get to the front porch of the home, I vividly remember a man who was the strongest person I had ever seen.
Read more
April 12, 2020

My First Gig!

I was about 13 years old. The special event took place at the Boy's Club of Hillside, New Jersey. The players were Fat Harvey (Lifland) Drums, Allen Kreutzer, Lead Guitar and myself, Gary Temkin...
Read more
April 7, 2020
The Story of Tony Bonjiovi

The sound behind the Motown Success!

This all started in Sayreville, New Jersey... a middle class neighborhood. The Bonjiovi family were all musically inclined.
Read more