CLASS RACER FORUM - Something from my youth for all of you devout Mopar guys

Alex

Nice find,,

Too All You Groovy Cats Out There, Here's The Buckingham's

Formed in 1965, out of Chicago, Illinois, under the name 'The Centuries'.

By early-1966, they changed their name to 'The Pulsations'.
The band had built a strong following within the Chicago area, and Mid-West / Tri-State area
(Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin)
During that time, the band had won a local 'Battle of the Bands' competition, which secured them a job as the 'House Band' for a variety show on WGN-TV (Channel 9) called 'All-Time Hits'

If you wanted a commercial aired on Channel 9 (TV),
'The Pulsations' could provide the music.

In early-1966, the band cut a 'jingle' for Chicago's Auto Dealer Mr. Norm,
'Get With The Go-Group'.

Mr. Norm's gives the band a new 1966 Dodge A-100 Van for the rights to the song.

In mid-1966 they started putting some 'catchy pop songs' together.

Under a recommendation, they changed their name to 'The Buckinghams'
(in relation to the Buckingham Palace), to ride the wave of the 'British Invasion Theme'.

The band becomes increasingly popular with a 'Brass-Rock Sound' (later heard with Blood, Sweat and Tears)

The band would routinely wear 'Civil War Uniforms' as part of their stage 'get up'.
Sometimes 'Union Uniforms' and sometimes 'Confederate Uniforms', depending on where they were performing.

In February 1967, they scored a 'major hit', with their song 'Kind Of A Drag' which reached #1 on the Billboard charts.

With a #1 hit on the charts, they immediately become a 'head-lining act'.

Their management smartly markets The Buckinghams as part of the 'British Invasion', and books them with other British bands
(ie; The Hollies, The Kinks and The Easybeats) as part of an American Tour.

Outside the Chicago area and Tri-State area (Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan) the band's manager
fools the public and concert promoters into believing they are British-based band, as the band now wears 'British Army' uniforms, and the band members don Beatles haircuts.

'The Buckinghams hits;
'Kind Of A Drag',,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(#1 Billboard, February 1967)
'Don't You Care',,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,(#6 Billboard, March 1967)
'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy',,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,(#5 Billboard, July 1967)
'Hey Baby' (They're Playing Our Song),,,(#12 Billboard, August 1967)
'Susan',,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,(#11 Billboard, January 1968)

In September 1967, they were listed as 'The Most Listened To Band In America'

In late-1967, 'The Buckinghams' were now one of the 'Top-Selling Acts' in America, and were commanding $5000 per concert show.

During 1967, the band performed 300 shows.

'The Buckinghams' were in so much demand in 1967, that the 'The Beach Boys' would only use
them as an 'opening act'.

When 'head-lining' a show, the following bands/acts opened for them.
* Sonny and Cher
* Neil Diamond
* The Hollies
* The Kinks
* The Association
* The Easybeats
* The Who
* The Yardbirds

Television Appearances;

December 1966; Teen Town
Band performs; 'Kind Of A Drag'

May 27, 1967; American Bandstand
Band performs; 'Kind Of A Drag' and 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy'

June 18, 1967; The Jerry Lewis Show
Band performs; 'Mercy, Mercy, Mercy' and 'Hey Baby' (They're Playing Our Song)

September 25, 1967; The Joey Bishop Show
Band performs; 'Don't You Care'

November 11, 1967; The Smothers Brothers Show
Band performs; 'Don't You Care' and 'Hey Baby' (They're Playing Our Song)

January 21, 1968; The Ed Sullivan Show
Band performs; 'Susan' and 'What's Love'
The show ran long, and they were bumped.
They taped the song 'Susan' (debut release), and the taped version was re-played
4-weeks later on the February 18, 1968 show

By late-1968, the band started to loose its 'star luster', and in the fall they were dropped as the 'head-lining act', and they now received 'second billing' in their Concert Tour.

In 1969, their popularity falls, as 'American Sunshine Pop Music' is fading.

During their 1969 Concert Tour run, they were dropped from 'second billing' to 'an also appearing band'.

In several 1969 shows, they were boo'ed off the stage.

Later in 1969, concert promoters use The Buckinghams's as an opening act, in the 4-Band Concert Show Tour.

The Buckinghams are limited to a 4-song / 20-minute set, only playing their hit songs.

In 1970, they are dropped from the Concert Tour Show, and begin playing small venue gigs around the Mid-West.

The band dissolved in 1970.

'That's A Fact Jack'