The Crawford County Community Concert Association is bringing The Buckinghams to Bucyrus on Monday, Oct. 14, to kick off its 2024-25 season. This performance will include original members Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna and full band as they perform all the hits audiences remember.
From Chicago to American’s living room on The Ed Sullivan Show, across America and in the White House, The Buckinghams have stayed true to their Chicago roots. Audiences and critics affirmed the demand for the music of The Buckinghams, proving that success is sweeter the second time around.
The trademark opening horn notes on their number one hit, “Kind of a Drag,” became a signature of the Chicago horn sound as identifiable as the Buckinghams themselves. The Buckinghams recorded 12 singles. Performing on WGN-TV’s “All Time Hits” for 13 weeks increased their Midwest reputation. When USA Records released “Kind of a Drag,” no one anticipated the demand as the single rocked to number one in the country. In 1967, Cash Box Magazine named them “the most promising vocal group in America,” and they delivered.
Columbia Records offered a national label distribution and The Buckinghams set off a chain reaction of demand nationwide with hits including “Don’t You Care,” “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” and “Susan.”
While the airwaves were brimming with The Buckinghams’ latest tunes, TV audiences saw them on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Show, The Jerry Lewis Show, The Joey Bishop Show, and American Bandstand.
The Buckinghams played to capacity crowds in arenas and festivals, sharing the bill with Gene Pitney, The Beach Boys, Sonny & Cher, Neil Diamond, America, The Hollies, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, and The Who.
The Buckinghams show will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14, at the Bucyrus Elementary School Auditorium, which is located at 245 Woodlawn Ave. in Bucyrus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
For additional information, visit the Concert Association website. Individual tickets can be purchased by keying on the iTickets.com link or by calling 800-965-9324. Discounts are available for students 18 years old or younger.
This show is made possible in part by the support of the Community Foundation for Crawford County, AVITA Health System, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, and the Ohio Arts Council.
Submitted by The Crawford County Community Concert Association.