The Buckinghams

Join Our Mailing List

Susan has been working with THE BUCKINGHAMS for many years now and has been asked questions regarding the history of the band as well as questions about the current GUYS. Here are the top thirty most

Frequently Asked Questions

See if you can think of any more to add and then email them to me.

Who are the original BUCKINGHAMS of the 1960’s in today’s band?

CARL GIAMMARESE is the lead singer and plays guitar and NICK FORTUNA is the bass player and sings background vocals and some tunes on his own.
How do you pronounce the lead singer’s name?

Don’t let those 10 letters in CARL’s last name scare you…it is simply pronounced Gee-am-a-re-see! (Now that’s Italian!)
Did Nick legally have his name changed from Fortuna to Fortune?

You’ve got to wonder where all of this starts don’t you? NICK’s last name has always been and will always be FORTUNA…although Nick did use Fortune in 1967 briefly. As far as we can tell, some fanzine in the sixties may have thought Fortune matched better with the music biz…or it could have been as simple as a type-o…
What are the original BUCKINGHAMS doing today?

Well, you already know what CARL and NICK are up to (they’re THE BUCKINGHAMS!) Marty Grebb (former keyboard player) is a recording artist and musician. He worked with Bonnie Raitt and Leon Russell just to name a few. Dennis Tufano (former singer) is now living in California while pursuing an acting career and producing documentary films. John Poulos (former drummer) passed away in 1980.
When and why did they break up?

In 1970, after a string of hits and years in the music business, THE BUCKINGHAMS decided it was time to pursue their individual interests.
What did Carl and Nick do from 1970 until THE BUCKS reassembled in 1980?

CARL and NICK have both always kept their hands in the music business. CARL hooked up with Dennis Tufano and formed a duo called "Tufano and Giammarese" (or better known as "Dennis and Carl" in the Chicago music scene!) They released albums, signed with Lou Adler, and went back on the road again! CARL sang and did voice overs on numerous TV and Radio commercials. NICK played with a variety of R&B bands, entertaining across the country.
When did Bob, Bruce, and Tom join today’s BUCKINGHAMS?

BOB and BRUCE joined in 1986, and TOM in 1983.
How did THE BUCKS get their name?

After winning an audition from a WGN syndicated variety show called "All Time Hits," and with the popularity of the British invasion, WGN decided that they wanted a more British sounding name than The Pulsations. A security guard for the show," Mr. John Opager, came up with a few name suggestions, and the one that was liked best, THE BUCKINGHAMS, was the one that was used when they were first introduced on "All Time Hits!"
What was the name of EVERY person who ever was a BUCKINGHAM?

This was a question that definitely had to be added to this top thirty list. Do you know how many times I receive an email that says something on the order of "…I just met a guy who told me that he used to play/sing with THE BUCKINGHAMS?" Please keep this list handy and if someone tries that line on you, just reference this list: CARL GIAMMARESE, NICK FORTUNA, Dennis Tufano (vocal), Marty Grebb (keys), John Poulos (drums), Curt Bachman (bass), Dennis Miccolis (keyboards), Larry Nester (keyboards), John Turner ( keyboards), Tom Taylor (keyboards), Laurie Bebe (vocal), John Camelot (keyboards), Barbara Unger (keyboards), John Duich (guitar), George LeGros (vocals)…and, of course, the current Buckinghams, TOM SCHECKEL (drums), BOB ABRAMS (guitar), and BRUCE SOBOROFF (keyboards).
What are the background words to "Kind of a Drag?"

I’ll never tell! CARL or NICK, do you want to? "It’s a secret…" ;-)
Is it true that Carl Giammarese was a weatherman?

It sure is! CARL was the weatherman on Good Morning America with Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer. CARL and Tony Perkins (official weatherman on GMA) switched jobs for a day! Tony did a fantastic job singing CARL’s lead on "Kind of a Drag" and no one has ever come close to giving the weather to the nation in the same way as CARL.
What was THE BUCKS’ biggest hit song?

"Kind of a Drag" was their biggest hit, however, "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," " Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song," "Don’t You Care," and "Susan" all hit the Top 20 on the music charts nationally…some reaching the Top 5!
Who are The Pulsations, The Centuries, and The Falling Pebbles?

The Pulsations was the name that preceded The Buckinghams. The Centuries was the name of Carl and Nick’s first band with Carl’s cousin Jerry Elarde on drums and lead vocal and Curt Bochman on bass and vocals. For some reason, The Falling Pebbles was somehow put on the record label of The Buckinghams first release…
Did THE BUCKS do a car commercial in the 1960’s?

Yes, they sure did! It was for a Chicago car dealer, Mr. Norm, and the tag line was "Go with the Group!" The dealer gave the band a van as payment for making the commercial.
Where can I get original copies of THE BUCKINGHAMS’ 45’s and albums?

You can check your local record shop, attend the Chicagoland Record Show (630-898-1533), call Remember When Records (630-963-1957), or call Beverly Records (773-779-0066). Please be sure to let them know that THE BUCKS told you to call! They are also available on Sundazed Records, Sony Legacy and in Sony Record Clubs.
What about copies of their new music?

You can check your local record shop, the Internet, or visit THE BUCKINGHAMS merchandise booth set up at their concerts!
When are THE guys’ birthdays?
BOB’s is February 24^th
NICK’s is May 1^st
CARL’s is August 21^st
BRUCE’s is August 31^st
TOM’s is November 19^th.
How can I book them for a private party, a corporate event, or a festival?

You can contact Mr. Jim Lenz at Paradise Artists at 805-646-8433 or check out their Web site.
What record label were/are they on?

Spectra Sound, USA, Columbia, Sony, Sundazed, Alley Cat, Red Label, and Nation Records.
How can I purchase BUCKINGHAMS’ merchandise?

You can join THE BUCKS at their merchandise booth set up at concerts…that way you can take home your souvenir that night AND at most concerts, THE GUYS come out to meet and greet the audience!
What singles, albums, cassettes, CD’s, videos were they ever on/in?

The list is a long one…
There was first a single released on the Alley Cat label under the band name The Falling Pebbles which was a name prior to THE BUCKINGHAMS. "Laudy Miss Claudy/Virginia Wolf" were the cuts on that single.

These are the singles released as THE BUCKINGHAMS:

(45’s)

Spectra Sound 003 "Sweets For My Sweet/Beginner’s Love" 1965,

USA 844 "I’ll Go Crazy/I Don’t Want To Cry" 1966,

USA 848 "I Call Your Name/Makin’ Up and Breakin’ Up" 1966,

USA 853 "I’ve Been Wrong/Love Ain’t Enough" 1966,

USA 860 "Kind Of A Drag/You Make Me Feel So Good" 1966,

USA 869 "Lawdy Miss Clawdy/I Call Your Name" 1967,

USA 873 "Summertime/Don’t Want To Cry" 1967,

Columbia 44053 "Don’t You Care/Why Don’t You Love Me" 1967,

Columbia 44182 "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy/Are You Gone" 1967,

Columbia 44254 "Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song/And Our Love" 1967,

Columbia 44378 "Susan/Foreign Policy" 1968,

Columbia 44533 "Back In Love Again/You Misunderstand Me" 1968,

Columbia 44672 "Where Do You Come From/Song Of The Breeze 1968,

Columbia 44790 "This Is How Much I Love You/Can’t Find The Words" 1969,

Columbia 44923 "It’s A Beautiful Day/Difference Of Opinion 1969,

Columbia 45066 "I Got A Feelin’/It Took Forever" 1969,

Rowe Play Me Back 1013 "Kind Of A Drag" - a special red wax juke box 45 released in 1966 that could only be found on a jukebox. Featured cut from and interviews with THE BUCKINGHAMS,

Red Label 71001 "Veronica/Can We" 1984,

"Veronica/Can We" was also released by Columbia 44378 in a 2:17 version without the middle noise bridge.

In addition, many of THE BUCKINGHAMS 45’s were released in countries all over the world with different picture sleeves and the information in the language of that country!

Now THE BUCKINGHAMS albums

(LP’s)

USA 107 "Kind Of A Drag" 1966,

Columbia 9469 "Time And Charges" 1967,

Columbia 9598 "Portraits" 1968,

Columbia 9703 "In One Ear and Gone Tomorrow" 1968,

Columbia 9812 "Greatest Hits" 1969,

Columbia 33333 "Made In Chicago" 1975 (pre-released double LP).

The "Kind Of A Drag" LP also came with 13 cuts, with the extra cut being "I’m A Man." The standard "Kind Of A Drag" LP has only 12 cutson it.

In addition, many of THE BUCKINGHAMS 45’s were released in countries all over the world with different picture sleeves and the information in the language of that country!

Tufano and Giammarese (Dennis and Carl) released 5 singles:

Ode 66033 "Music Everywhere/Just a Dream Away" 1973,

Ode 66012 "Time Change/Let In The Light" 1976,

Ode 66114 "Kind Of A Drag/Kind Of A Drag" Promo 1975,

Ode 66114 "Kind Of A Drag/Sweet Delight" 1975,

Ode 66036 "Rise Up/Give Yourself A Dream" 1975.

Tufano and Giammarese also released three albums:

Ode 77017 "Tufano and Giammarese" 1973,

Ode 77032 "The Tufanoand Giammarese Band" 1975,

Epic 34969 "The Other Side" 1977.

In 1997, THE BUCKINGHAMS released a CD and Video in honor of their 30^th anniversary in the music business. The CD is entitled "Places In Five" and the video is "Off Their Rockers."

In 1998, THE BUCKINGHAMS released a CD entitled "Terra Firma" on Nation Records.
How can I get to meet THE BUCKS and/or get their autograph?

THE BUCKINGHAMS were one of the very first 1960’s bands to come out after their concerts and meet and greet the audience and sign autographs. Hopefully, they’ll get to meet you real soon!
Who are the horns guys?

When they appear with THE BUCKS, the horn guys for 2002 are Carlo Isabelli, Chuck Morgan, and Jim Kaczmarek.
What are some of THE BUCKS future projects?

THE GUYS are always working on music projects! Their next two ventures are a new LIVE CD and a Christmas CD.
What are "unknown" facts about each of the current BUCKS?

Bob loves to give facts about Ohio (helpful hint: NEVER ask him for any of those facts unless you have hours and hours to hear the answer!) and drinks black coffee from morning to night.
Bruce runs for miles and miles each and every day even when traveling with THE BUCKS and can give you zillions of facts about history in such a way that makes history come alive!

Carl has owned over 30 cars (everything from his first car which was a 1958 Chevy, to his favorite car was his 1969 Porsche 911T), is a die-hard Chicago Bears fan and enjoys song writing.

Nick is a die-hard Chicago White Sox fan, loves working out in the gym on a daily basis, enjoys his cup of tea in the morning, and loves his cats.

Tom practiced drumming on his mother’s ironing board before he ever got his first set of drums, drinks a lot of tea, and is on his computer all day long.
What can I do to bring THE BUCKINGHAMS to my town?

There’s a lot you can do to make that happen! Call your local chamber of commerce and ask to talk to the planning committee OR call your local radio station and encourage them to bring THE BUCKS to an arena in your area (we’ll even set up an interview with CARL and/or NICK for that station!) OR talk to your place of employment and suggest THE BUCKINGHAMS as entertainment for your next gathering, meeting or celebration OR retain them for a private party you are throwing for a special occasion!

How can I stay in touch with THE guys?

You can stay in touch with Bobby, Bruce, Carlo, Nick and Tommy at their

24-hour hotline/fax:	773-254-6672
Visit their website:	www.thebuckinghams.com
Write to them:	The Buckinghams P.O. BOX 32137 Chicago, Illinois 60632-2137 USA
You can also join them at a concert!

What was the Happy Together Tour and are they currently with a tour?

The Happy Together Tour was the most successful concert tour of 1985! Along with THE BUCKINGHAMS, the other bands that performed on that tour were The Turtles, Tommy James and the Shodells, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and the Grass Roots. THE BUCKINGHAMS have been touring the country with the "Solid Gold Sixties Tour" along with Tommy James, The Turtles, The Grass Roots, Paul Revere and the Raiders and Gary Puckett!
Do THE BUCKS write music?

All of THE GUYS dabble in song writing. To hear some of CARL’s and BRUCE’s talent, you should check out their CD, "Terra Firma!" CARL is currently working on a solo project!
Who comes up with what songs they will play live?

It starts with an idea from CARL and NICK, but ends up being a collective decision by the entire band.