The band is best known for hits including "Kind of a Drag," "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," "Don't You Care," "Hey Baby, They're Playing Our Song," "Mercy, Mercy Mercy," "Susan," and "Back in Love Again." With The Buckinghams, Carl has appeared on TV shows including "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," "American Bandstand," & "The Jerry Lewis Show" from 1965-1970. They toured with Gene Pitney, The Beach Boys, The Hollies, The Who, Neil Diamond, and Sonny & Cher. They performed across the country with Tommy James & the Shondells and Paul Revere & the Raiders in arenas, colleges and concert halls. The Buckinghams recorded 4 albums for Columbia Records and released 15 singles during this same time period.
In the 1970s, Carl was part of the Duo "Tufano & Giammarese," who recorded 3 albums for Lou Adler's Ode Records, appeared on the "Midnight Special," and toured with Carole King, Bread, and Cheech & Chong. After a successful career in the late 1970s as a singer on over 160 national advertising jingles, Giammarese reunited The Buckinghams in 1980 and has been the lead singer since 1982. The Buckinghams (led by Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna) joined The Turtles, The Grass Roots, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys for the 1985 Happy Together Tour, named one of the Top 10 U.S. tours by Pollstar.
Since the 1990s Giammarese has composed original music, releasing a solo album in 2002, as well as writing songs for The Buckinghams. TV appearances have included "Wolfman Jack," "PM Magazine," "Entertainment Tonight," & "Good Morning America." The Buckinghams were invited performers for two Presidential Inaugural Galas, in 2005 and 2009.
Their 45-year career continues as a popular touring act. In 2010, Carl and Nick were invited to join the 25th Anniversary Happy Together Tour, with The Turtles, The Grass Roots, Mark Lindsay, and Micky Dolenz. The Buckinghams have been invited to be part of the 2011 Happy Together Tour next Summer. Carl Giammarese has produced the past 8 CD releases for The Buckinghams, including their latest DVD/CD, "Up Close" plus their holiday CD, "The Joy of Christmas," both of which are available through their web site, www.thebuckinghams.com
The Buckinghams
Carl Giammarese, Lead Singer, Guitar (Founding member)
Nick Fortuna, Bass Guitar, Vocals (Founding member)
Bruce Soboroff, Keyboards, Vocals
Dave Zane, Guitar, Vocals
Rocky Penn, Drums, Vocals
The Buckinghams' Hits (1965-1970)
Kind of a Drag
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Don't You Care
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Hey Baby, They're Playing Our Song
Susan
Back in Love Again
Dec. 18, Buckinghams Chicagoland Christmas Concert, Beverly Theatre, 2407 W. 111th St.
A few tickets remain for this concert; www.Beverlyartscenter.org
Holiday CD: "The Joy of Christmas" available for purchase and autograph at shows,
and www.thebuckinghams.com online.
"The Joy of Christmas")
Buckinghams Chicagoland Christmas Concert
Beverly Theatre
2407 W. 111th St.
Friday
773-445-3838
Beverlyartcenter.org
