Oh how the years are flying by!  And how the legends and icons in music are retiring or leaving us at an incredible pace!  I have been putting on shows for about 40 years now.  When I started, Charlie Chaplin was still alive, and HEART was an opening band!

Since then, many superstars have come and gone, so the ones that are still “Kickin’” are even more treasured!

In 1963, the Brits landed on our musical shores to invade was being built by Elvis and other American Rock and Rollers for the ten years prior.  The ironic thing was that the English were trying to emulate all things American including Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Bob Dylan and The Everly Brothers combined with Blues masters such as Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon.  And in doing so, they created their own sound.

One of those quirky pop bands was Herman’s Hermits.  They were formed in 1963 and had huge hits that hit America hard including, “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” and “I’m Henry The VII I Am”

Since then, even though the band went through several incarnations, still to this day, original front man Peter Noone tours regularly, selling out shows as he continues to bring his comedic personality and songs like, “Kind Of A Hush,” and “I’m Into Something Good” to adoring audiences, for almost sixty years!

Tommy James is another one.  He and “The Shondells” have been around since 1959!  “Mony, Mony,” “Crimson And Clover,” “I Think We’re Alone Now” and “Hanky Panky”…more somewhat peculiar tunes that he continues to delight audiences with to this day.  He is still as rockin’ and rollin’ as ever, playing my theatres twice a year…still!

Can I even write a column about this subject matter without mentioning Mr. Ernest Evans?  You may know him as Chubby Checker!  Sixty-five years ago, he covered a song coupling it with a dance that is as much about Rock ‘N Roll history as the Les Paul guitar or the guy who coined the phrase, “Rock and Roll” himself, Alan Freed, Chubby still thinks he is a twenty-five year old superstar making my theatres come alive with throngs of “Twisters” of all ages just having the time of their lives.  It is truly something to experience!

The guys from Jay and the Americans, Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge, The Tokens, and more are still out there entertaining the masses with some of the world’s greatest “feel-good” songs. 

I’ll give you a couple other names.

How about Wayne Newton and Engelbert Humperdink?  What they did for TV and Las Vegas in the 1960s was iconic, and they still come out on stage, in full tuxedo, with songs, stories and nuthin’ but class!  They are still so humble and incredibly professional.  Every time I am in their presence, classic Vegas just oozes from their pores, the way it USED to be!  This MUST be what the Rat Pack was like!

One of my true favorites from the Golden Age of Rock and Roll who is till delivering regularly is the singer/songwriter, movie star/producer and member of the fabric of our lives, Paul Anka.  Selling millions of records, with writing credits too numerous to mention, he continues to enthrall audiences all over the world, just blowing away young and young at heart.  And I am lucky enough to work with him each year as he stands on chairs, dances with the ladies and gives killer performances.

I have to tell you what happened to me last October with whom I have come to know as, “Uncle Paul.”

It is no secret that I am very involved with Chicago’s Italian American Community, and its biggest event, the Columbus Day Parade.  Each year, we as the committee that puts the parade on comes together to celebrate the wonders of Italian heritage and culture. 

As I do on a regular basis, I was listening to the “Sounds of Sinatra” in my car on the way home from work one day.  What has been referred to as the “Italian American National Anthem,” Frank’s rendition of “My Way” came on.  I thought, “What an impact this tune has had on the world, especially for Italian Americans.” 

Then reality hits as I come to the realization that I actually KNOW the guy who wrote this song for Sinatra!  I just have to shake my head sometimes!

But as I was thinking of candidates for the Columbus Day Parade Grand Marshal, it hit me!  Why not Paul Anka?  Even though he is not Italian (he is Lebanese and Canadian), his music, especially THAT song, is about Italian American as it gets!

But you have to understand, this is a guy who performs all over the world for presidents and kings.  He has done it all and been given every award and recognition.  At 83 years of age, and at his level of respect, there really isn’t much that could impress him, or make him want to participate in anything that is even slightly difficult.

But I thought I would ask him anyway.  How can it hurt?

So I called him.  I posed the question, “Uncle Paul, would you consider being Grand Marshal of Chicago’s Columbus Day Parade?”

Silence.

“Are you kidding?” he finally responded.  “You want me out in the cold on a float in downtown Chicago?  New York, Los Angeles, everyone has asked me, Ron.  I love ya, but I just don’t do those things, “Paul said.

With my tail between my legs, I realized how unrealistic the request was.  I apologized and hung up.  “What was I thinking?”

Twenty minutes later, my phone rang.  It was him.  “So I would just be on a float for a bit then go back to the hotel?” he asked.

I said, “That’s it!”

“I’ll call ya back,” Paul said.

As I stared at my phone to make sure it wasn’t a wrong number, he called back.

“I would never do this for anybody else, Ron.  But you know how I feel about you and the City of Chicago has always been so good to me.  Let me ask you, will there be a sound system there?”

I said, “Absolutely!”

So October 14 came, and he made it to the parade!  We created an opening ceremony right on State Street just down from the famed Chicago Theatre.  Not only did he come to the parade, he sang, “My Way!”

But wait, there’s more!  He actually re-wrote the words to the cherished song to include Chicago, Columbus Day, and he even referred to “My Bestie, Ron Onesti!”

It was a day I will never forget, and a trophy few folks have. 

So let’s hang on to the Paul Anka’s and the Frankie Valli’s who are still out there doing it.   Each day, and each performance is a gift, and we are blessed that they are still willing t give their gifts to us!