Early Years (1951-1965)
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> born and grew up in Chicago, IL
> recorded "Davy Crockett" and "Hey Mr. Banjo" at age 3 at a carnival recording booth
> 1st record collection included 45s by Elvis and Ricky Nelson
> saw Love Me Tender at the movies, 1956
> Hammond School (K-1st); Charles J. Sahs School (2nd-8th)
> Mr. Rudy Bilotta - school band and music instructor
> played 3-note pipe, tonette, clarinet & bass clarinet (1959-1965)
> played autoharp on "Silent Night" for school chorus program, 1961
> inspired by Elvis playing electric guitar on "What'd I Say" in Viva Las Vegas, 1964
> 1st guitar (Xmas 1964) Alden Tuxedo 9908
> 1st gig - 8th grade school dance with 3-piece group (Al Juris and me on guitar and Mike Bruton on drums) ... played "Love Potion #9" and "All Day & All Of The Night" as instrumentals
> 1st concert - The Beatles at Comisky Park, Aug 20, 1965
> recorded "Davy Crockett" and "Hey Mr. Banjo" at age 3 at a carnival recording booth
> 1st record collection included 45s by Elvis and Ricky Nelson
> saw Love Me Tender at the movies, 1956
> Hammond School (K-1st); Charles J. Sahs School (2nd-8th)
> Mr. Rudy Bilotta - school band and music instructor
> played 3-note pipe, tonette, clarinet & bass clarinet (1959-1965)
> played autoharp on "Silent Night" for school chorus program, 1961
> inspired by Elvis playing electric guitar on "What'd I Say" in Viva Las Vegas, 1964
> 1st guitar (Xmas 1964) Alden Tuxedo 9908
> 1st gig - 8th grade school dance with 3-piece group (Al Juris and me on guitar and Mike Bruton on drums) ... played "Love Potion #9" and "All Day & All Of The Night" as instrumentals
> 1st concert - The Beatles at Comisky Park, Aug 20, 1965
Beatles at Comisky . . . . Elvis in Viva Las Vegas
School/Music Years (1965-1976)
> Reavis High School (1965-1969)
> Silvertone guitar & Gibson Ranger amp
> formed The Right Ways in 1965 (earlier names: The Ravens; Knights Of Darkness)
> played guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards, saxophone and two songs on drums
> on stage April 1966 at high school variety show, opened with "Sugar & Spice" and "Slow Down"
> participated in the 1966 International Battle Of The Bands at McCormick Place, along with groups such as Tommy James & The Shondells and Chicago; performed a second time in the semi-finals
> 1st paid gig June 1966 ($16), The Right Ways had 138 paid gigs plus many free shows, 30 dates at the Inn Motion, last gig Oct 16, 1970
> wrote and performed two instrumental songs, "Palomino" and "Western Sunset"
> co-wrote the song "Untrue Girl" (never recorded)
> red Fender Mustang guitar in '67
> won first place in the District semi-finals of the Talented Teen Search, 1968 and performed in the finals held at the Chicago Prudential Building (won studio recording time ... but never fulfilled this contract)
> won first place in the 1968 high school variety show, opening with "Get Ready" and followed by two songs I think "Knock On Wood" and "I Will Always Think About You"
> wrote the song "If I Had The Time" (not recorded until years later)
> Lewis College (1969-1973)
> wrote the song "Mystery Girl" in 1969 and performed it many times in our set list
> wrote 13 more original tunes, including "When We Meet", "Things To Say", "Tell Me Just Once More", "One Lonely Night", "She's My Girl" and "This Dream", 1969-1971 (never performed or recorded until years later)
> formed new band, Friends (1970-1973) with Judy Boldrini (keyboard/vocalist)-- we married in 1973
> University Of Pittsburgh (1973-1974)
> moved to Harrisburg PA in 1974, worked at Pennsylvania Dept of Health
> joined the band Squire (1975-1976) played KANSAS tunes
> Silvertone guitar & Gibson Ranger amp
> formed The Right Ways in 1965 (earlier names: The Ravens; Knights Of Darkness)
> played guitar, vocals, bass, keyboards, saxophone and two songs on drums
> on stage April 1966 at high school variety show, opened with "Sugar & Spice" and "Slow Down"
> participated in the 1966 International Battle Of The Bands at McCormick Place, along with groups such as Tommy James & The Shondells and Chicago; performed a second time in the semi-finals
> 1st paid gig June 1966 ($16), The Right Ways had 138 paid gigs plus many free shows, 30 dates at the Inn Motion, last gig Oct 16, 1970
> wrote and performed two instrumental songs, "Palomino" and "Western Sunset"
> co-wrote the song "Untrue Girl" (never recorded)
> red Fender Mustang guitar in '67
> won first place in the District semi-finals of the Talented Teen Search, 1968 and performed in the finals held at the Chicago Prudential Building (won studio recording time ... but never fulfilled this contract)
> won first place in the 1968 high school variety show, opening with "Get Ready" and followed by two songs I think "Knock On Wood" and "I Will Always Think About You"
> wrote the song "If I Had The Time" (not recorded until years later)
> Lewis College (1969-1973)
> wrote the song "Mystery Girl" in 1969 and performed it many times in our set list
> wrote 13 more original tunes, including "When We Meet", "Things To Say", "Tell Me Just Once More", "One Lonely Night", "She's My Girl" and "This Dream", 1969-1971 (never performed or recorded until years later)
> formed new band, Friends (1970-1973) with Judy Boldrini (keyboard/vocalist)-- we married in 1973
> University Of Pittsburgh (1973-1974)
> moved to Harrisburg PA in 1974, worked at Pennsylvania Dept of Health
> joined the band Squire (1975-1976) played KANSAS tunes
 Rich and Judy . . . in Friends |
 Judy & Rich |
Family Years (1976-2001)
Brian and Dan
> moved back to Chicago in 1976, worked at Ernst & Ernst
> our son Brian was born in 1976
> attended first KANSAS concert, 1977
> joined the band Seasons (1979-1982), playing weddings and dances
> added a Fender Lead III guitar and Music Man amp
> recorded two original songs with the band Seasons, "Mystery Girl" and "Tell Me Just Once More"
> our son Dan was born in 1980
> saw Peter Noone in "The Pirates of Penzance" opera with Jim Belushi in Chicago, Feb 1982
> moved to Pembroke Pines, FL, Dec 1982, transferred to Miami office
> recorded my song "I Think About You" (solo effort) for a contest
> recorded vocals for "My Girl" at a recording studio
> saw Peter Noone perform as "Herman's Hermits" for the 1st time in Coral Springs, FL, Oct 1988
> jammed with buddy Art in 1988
> re-formed The Right Ways to play at our 20th high school reunion, October 1989
> moved to Marietta GA in 1991, worked at Saint Joseph's Hospital
> jammed with Brothers-in-law Tony and Ron, 1995
> set-up 4-track tape home recording studio
> recorded the Temptation's "Get Ready" (Dec '97), (inspired by Gloria Estefan's 1994 CD "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" of her favorite old songs)
> recorded my original song "Mystery Girl" (solo effort}
> re-wrote some of my original tunes from the 70's and some new material
> completed a 2-year project for my 1st CD, "Ready Or Not" (10 songs with 7 originals) Mar 2001
> Judy bought a Fender Stratocaster guitar for my 50th birthday, 2001
> Brian married Bonnie, July 2001
> our son Brian was born in 1976
> attended first KANSAS concert, 1977
> joined the band Seasons (1979-1982), playing weddings and dances
> added a Fender Lead III guitar and Music Man amp
> recorded two original songs with the band Seasons, "Mystery Girl" and "Tell Me Just Once More"
> our son Dan was born in 1980
> saw Peter Noone in "The Pirates of Penzance" opera with Jim Belushi in Chicago, Feb 1982
> moved to Pembroke Pines, FL, Dec 1982, transferred to Miami office
> recorded my song "I Think About You" (solo effort) for a contest
> recorded vocals for "My Girl" at a recording studio
> saw Peter Noone perform as "Herman's Hermits" for the 1st time in Coral Springs, FL, Oct 1988
> jammed with buddy Art in 1988
> re-formed The Right Ways to play at our 20th high school reunion, October 1989
> moved to Marietta GA in 1991, worked at Saint Joseph's Hospital
> jammed with Brothers-in-law Tony and Ron, 1995
> set-up 4-track tape home recording studio
> recorded the Temptation's "Get Ready" (Dec '97), (inspired by Gloria Estefan's 1994 CD "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" of her favorite old songs)
> recorded my original song "Mystery Girl" (solo effort}
> re-wrote some of my original tunes from the 70's and some new material
> completed a 2-year project for my 1st CD, "Ready Or Not" (10 songs with 7 originals) Mar 2001
> Judy bought a Fender Stratocaster guitar for my 50th birthday, 2001
> Brian married Bonnie, July 2001
Art and Rich 1966 . . . 1988 . . . 1989 Reunion
The Next 13 Working Years (2001-2013)
Recording two CDs
> attended rehearsal and filming with KANSAS for their DVD project "Device Voice Drum", with meet & greet session and pictures, 2002
> trip to England to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with Brian Hyland, Wayne Fontana, John Walker and The Dakotas, 2004
> performed at work Xmas party, playing "Get Ready", 2004
> sang "Gloria" with Herman's Hermits (without Peter Noone) at a post-concert gig in Louisville, 2005
> upgraded to computer recording equipment (thanks to my son Dan)
> jammed with brothers-in-law Dean and Ron, 2007
> performed at work Xmas party, playing "Going Back To Rock & Roll" and a medley of 60s songs, 2007
> completed a 2nd CD project, "Howling At The Moon" (16 songs with 6 originals) 2008
> created a music video for "All I Have To Do Is Dream", performed by Judy and Rich, 2008
> performed at work Xmas party with Greg on keyboard, playing "Rock Around The Clock", Knock On Wood", and "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", 2008
> won 1st place, music composition for "I've Been Here Before", Windows Fine Arts Magazine, Lewis University, 2010 ... and created a music video on YouTube
> attended my 206th Peter Noone concert on my 60th birthday and had a picture backstage, (High Point, NC) 2011
> trip to England to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with Chris Montez, Brian Hyland, Brian Poole, and Vanity Fare, 2012
> jammed with friends Alan and Ed, 2012
> semi-retired 2012; retired from Saint Joseph's Hospital 2013
> trip to England to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with Brian Hyland, Wayne Fontana, John Walker and The Dakotas, 2004
> performed at work Xmas party, playing "Get Ready", 2004
> sang "Gloria" with Herman's Hermits (without Peter Noone) at a post-concert gig in Louisville, 2005
> upgraded to computer recording equipment (thanks to my son Dan)
> jammed with brothers-in-law Dean and Ron, 2007
> performed at work Xmas party, playing "Going Back To Rock & Roll" and a medley of 60s songs, 2007
> completed a 2nd CD project, "Howling At The Moon" (16 songs with 6 originals) 2008
> created a music video for "All I Have To Do Is Dream", performed by Judy and Rich, 2008
> performed at work Xmas party with Greg on keyboard, playing "Rock Around The Clock", Knock On Wood", and "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", 2008
> won 1st place, music composition for "I've Been Here Before", Windows Fine Arts Magazine, Lewis University, 2010 ... and created a music video on YouTube
> attended my 206th Peter Noone concert on my 60th birthday and had a picture backstage, (High Point, NC) 2011
> trip to England to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with Chris Montez, Brian Hyland, Brian Poole, and Vanity Fare, 2012
> jammed with friends Alan and Ed, 2012
> semi-retired 2012; retired from Saint Joseph's Hospital 2013
Ron, Rich, Tony . . . . Rich, Dean, Ron
Retired Years (2013-2024)
Rick & Rich
> performed "For Your Love" at Judy's retirement party, 2014
> soundman for Nicholson School chorous programs
> recorded "Donna" for AARP singing contest, 2014
> completed a 3rd CD project, "Looking Back", a tribute to 60s music and dedication to my best friend (20 songs with 1 original), released Jan 2015
> created a music video "Now That I'm 64", a parody of a song by the Beatles, 2015
> attended my 342nd Peter Noone concert on my 65th birthday and had a picture backstage in Longview, Texas, 2016
> trip to England and Wales to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with The Merseybeats, Dave Berry, Brian Hyland, and New Amen Corner, 2016
> jammed with Rick Bussoletti (former band mate from "Squire") in Ridgway, PA, 2016
> Dan married Karis, June 2018
> created a birthday video for Rick's 70th Birthday, including live and recorded music, 2018
> trip to England and Scotland to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with Dave Berry, Brian Poole and Vanity Fare, 2019
> performed in a skit in Busch Gardens, Tampa, portraying Peter Noone 20 years in the future, 2019
> created a music video in 2020 for "Things To Say", a song I wrote in 1970 and recorded with Judy in 2000
> created a music video in 2020 for "Mystery Girl", a song I wrote and performed with The Right Ways back in 1970, and then recorded on my own in 2000 ... the video depicts the band in the late 60s
> created a music video in 2022 for "Friends", a song recorded with Judy in 2008
> attended my 40th concert to see KANSAS, 2023
> attended my 500th concert to see Peter Noone, 2023
> created a music video in 2023 for "More Today Than Yesterday", a song recorded with Judy in 2000 ... the video is for our 50th wedding anniversary
> created a music video in 2024 for "The Choice Is Clear", a song I wrote in 2023 and recorded with Judy
> created a music video in 2024 for "Perennial", a song Judy and I wrote in 2023 and recorded
> created a music video in 2024 for "This Dream", a song I wrote in 1972, updated in 2022 and recorded with Judy
> bought a new white Sire Larry Carlton L7 guitar, 2024
> bought a new white Gretsch 12-string Rancher Falcon acoustic-electric guitar, 2024
> two-year project in process for a 4th CD, recording 8 new songs and 11 covers with Judy's help on vocals, 2024
> soundman for Nicholson School chorous programs
> recorded "Donna" for AARP singing contest, 2014
> completed a 3rd CD project, "Looking Back", a tribute to 60s music and dedication to my best friend (20 songs with 1 original), released Jan 2015
> created a music video "Now That I'm 64", a parody of a song by the Beatles, 2015
> attended my 342nd Peter Noone concert on my 65th birthday and had a picture backstage in Longview, Texas, 2016
> trip to England and Wales to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with The Merseybeats, Dave Berry, Brian Hyland, and New Amen Corner, 2016
> jammed with Rick Bussoletti (former band mate from "Squire") in Ridgway, PA, 2016
> Dan married Karis, June 2018
> created a birthday video for Rick's 70th Birthday, including live and recorded music, 2018
> trip to England and Scotland to see Peter Noone and the "Solid Silver 60s" tour with Dave Berry, Brian Poole and Vanity Fare, 2019
> performed in a skit in Busch Gardens, Tampa, portraying Peter Noone 20 years in the future, 2019
> created a music video in 2020 for "Things To Say", a song I wrote in 1970 and recorded with Judy in 2000
> created a music video in 2020 for "Mystery Girl", a song I wrote and performed with The Right Ways back in 1970, and then recorded on my own in 2000 ... the video depicts the band in the late 60s
> created a music video in 2022 for "Friends", a song recorded with Judy in 2008
> attended my 40th concert to see KANSAS, 2023
> attended my 500th concert to see Peter Noone, 2023
> created a music video in 2023 for "More Today Than Yesterday", a song recorded with Judy in 2000 ... the video is for our 50th wedding anniversary
> created a music video in 2024 for "The Choice Is Clear", a song I wrote in 2023 and recorded with Judy
> created a music video in 2024 for "Perennial", a song Judy and I wrote in 2023 and recorded
> created a music video in 2024 for "This Dream", a song I wrote in 1972, updated in 2022 and recorded with Judy
> bought a new white Sire Larry Carlton L7 guitar, 2024
> bought a new white Gretsch 12-string Rancher Falcon acoustic-electric guitar, 2024
> two-year project in process for a 4th CD, recording 8 new songs and 11 covers with Judy's help on vocals, 2024
Playing the part of Peter Noone
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Looking Back CD cover
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