Magnificent Memories of Magnificent Moments

nostalgia

magnificent memories of magnificent moments THE MAG MEN WERE THE MOST RENOWNED R&B group to emerge from Central Pennsylvania in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

WRITTEN BY B. Derek Shaw

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nostalgia

“

What blows

me away the

most is what an effect we had on Artwork from an early Magnificent Men album cover.

Ask anyone who grew up in Central

moderate national success began earlier that decade with two bands separated by 30 miles.

were held, and you would find The Raven

In York, the Del-Chords (not to be confused

Teen Club, Middletown; the Hershey

with a similarly named Harrisburg act) was a

Ballroom; and White Oak Park in North York

diverse group playing the local clubs, hang-

as some of the top spots. Ask that same

outs, and school functions, noted for their

group of people who the quintessential blue-

outstanding vocals, fronted by Dave Bupp and

eyed soul group from the region was and

Adrian “Buddy” King. They were fortunate to

they’d all tell you the Magnificent Men. Of

achieve local success with a 45 rpm record in

course, this same group would also be able to

1964 called “Everybody’s Gotta Lose

spout off their songs, including “Peace of

Someday” (Impala and Mr. Genius labels).

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At about the same time, another

Could Be So Happy,” and “Sweet Soul

integrated group, the nine-member Endells,

Medley,” just to name a handful.

led by drummer Bob Angelucci, was following a similar path with the Harrisburg

played all the aforementioned places and

music scene. In fact, they scored their own

more, including the famed Apollo Theater in

record a year earlier with “Vicky,” a single

New York—a place previously and since only

on the Heigh-Ho label.

headlined by black artists and groups. As

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Their journey to critical acclaim and

where some of the successful teen dances

This York/Harrisburg-based septuplet

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Pennsylvania during the mid- to late 1960s

Mind,” “Stormy Weather,” “Misty,” “I

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people.

Both racially mixed bands were finding

lead vocalist and songwriter Dave Bupp puts

their situation an unwritten obstacle when it

it, “We went into the Apollo Theater, blew

came to landing bookings. The merger came

’em away, and came back as a co-headliner—

about when both groups were ready to call it

no white group was ever a headliner at the

quits. “I was looking to put together a full-

Apollo Theater.”

time road group,” stated Angelucci. “I was

nostalgia ) ) ) mag men

ones waiting for the tour bus to pull up, saying, ‘Hey, we know those guys!’”

In addition to numerous appearances at the Apollo Theater in From left, Tom Pane and Buddy King sign autographs at a recent reunion concert.

New York, other venue credits include the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C., and the Uptown in Philadelphia—all part of the “Chitlin’ Circuit.” Regionally they appeared more than a dozen times with Jerry Blavat, Philadelphia radio DJ and TV

looking for seven guys on a full-time

brought to the table. However, Bupp

host of the Discophonic Scene. The

basis who had the talent, interest, and

is quick to point out, “If I had my

group played out west as well,

wanted to do it. What made it work

way, we would have signed with a

including Caesars Palace in Las

was that both groups had the same

black label. Capitol did not get radio

Vegas. National television credits

musical interests.” The vocalists (and

to accept us.” Okeh, Brunswick, or

include appearances on the Merv

songwriters) from the Del-Chords

Motown were all strong R&B labels

Griffin and Mike Douglas shows and

merged with the rhythm component of

at that time. Had the group recorded

with Jerry Lewis during his annual

the Endells to form the all-white

on one of those labels, acceptance by

telethon. A non-televised stint with

Magnificent Seven. The name later

black and white radio stations would

Johnny Carson at Ohio State was

became The Magnificent Men, a

have been easier to achieve.

another outstanding performance

result of band manager Ron Gittman

The group easily had impressive

catching a glimpse of a billboard for a

credentials that proved to be the

new movie with a similar title.

necessary ingredients for blue-eyed

The local jobs led to regional gigs

soul success—they played with such

and their first New York City audition:

acts as the Temptations, Patti Labelle

The Peppermint Lounge, playing with

and the Bluebelles, Billy Stewart,

Johnny Maestro and the Crests. Add

Curtis Mayfield’s Impressions, Gladys

to that a Motortown Revue tour that

Knight and the Pips, and Smokey

ultimately led the group to being

Robinson and the Miracles.

signed by the prestigious Capitol

The Mag Men (as fans refer to

Records label for a triple-album

them) were the most renowned R&B

contract. (That same label had Frank

group to emerge from Central

Sinatra, Dean Martin, the Beach

Pennsylvania in the late 1960s and

Boys, and the Beatles in their stable

early 1970s. They also had a cult

of artists.)

following on the college campus

The trio of releases—the self-titled

credential.

scene. Co-lead singer and co-

Magnificent Men, Magnificent Men

songwriter Buddy King said he was

Live, and World of Soul—all are a

not well known in high school (during

testament of the genuine quality and

the Del-Chords days); however, “the

craftsmanship this polished act

high school snobs were the very first

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nostalgia

Class Act featuring Rita, from a November 2007 performance in Harrisburg.

Another highlight occurred at the

end of the charts: “I Could Be So

bands—the Magnificent Men, the Del-

Apollo Saturday midnight show, touted

Happy” and “Sweet Soul Medley.” King

Chords, and Lancaster’s Custer’s Last

as having the most difficult audience to

points out, “‘Peace of Mind’ remains

Band—with the currently performing

please. James Brown stopped in earlier

our anthem. It’s our first and our best.”

Class Act featuring Rita. The latter is

to visit with some of the acts and was

exceptionally talented wife, Rita, and six

Hunt (formerly with the Flamingos, then

different musical direction, heading into

other equally talented members

on his own), who became ill. Brown

a more progressive arena. So had R&B

including two Mag Men: Angelucci and

asked if the house band knew his music

music—to a more self-examining, socio-

bassist Jim Seville. The show features

and the response from performer J.J.

political style, leaving this critically

updated stylings of 1960s and 1970s

Jackson (But It’s Alright fame) was:

acclaimed and under-promoted band out

R&B cover tunes and Mag Men

“See the Magnificent Men; they know

in the cold. The Mag Men played on,

favorites.

your stuff.”

leaving their R&B roots for progressive

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History was made last November

rock—disenfranchising the faithful. In

when Class Act featuring Rita

they confirmed they knew the entire Live

1973 they went their separate ways.

performed their annual show at

at the Apollo album. That was all he

However, all is not lost.

Harrisburg’s Whitaker Center. Dave

needed to know. For 45 minutes, the

Over the years, various members of

Mag Men backed the “Godfather of

the group would get together for reunion

appear. Also scheduled, but not

Soul.” He was so impressed that he

concerts/dance parties throughout

announced in advance, were the other

applauded them when the set was over.

Central Pennsylvania. The first one

three members: guitarist Terry Crousore,

“It was wonderful. We pulled it off,”

came about in 1983 with nominal

saxophonist and third vocalist Tom Pane,

said Bupp.

acceptance. Full Circle was a short-lived

and keyboard player Billy Richter (Tom

However, all good things

n

Bob Angelucci’s band fronted by his

Better Than a Ten Cent Movie, took a

Brown approached the group, and

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The 1970 Mercury label album,

asked to fill in for headliner Tommy

Bupp and Buddy King were scheduled to

reincarnation of part of the band

Hoover, the original keyboardist, left

unfortunately come to an end. Since

(1986). For the past 10-plus years, a

after the first album was released). This

their first single release five years prior,

semi-annual dance party dubbed the

was the first time all the Magnificent

they were never able to get national

“Class of ’60 Somethin’” has taken

Men played together on the same stage

chart success on AM radio, which was

place on the York Expo Center grounds.

since 1970! “I always wanted this to

the dominant source for fueling careers

That is when their popularity came

happen for one of our annual shows,”

at that time. Of the 11 singles released,

around again. This always sold-out event

said Angelucci. “I was overwhelmed

two enjoyed a brief time at the lower

combines the talents of three defunct

that everyone agreed to do it.”

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What makes the Magnificent Men so memorable?

According to King, it is the “credibility and authenticity of the songs we perform.” “What blows me away the most is what an effect we had on people,” said Bupp, reflecting.

Regarding the recent shows bringing him and others out of musical retirement, Bupp said, “If people care as much as they do about and for us, why should we not do it?”

Future plans include the eventual release of a 90minute documentary called This Magnificent Moment—

The Story of the Magnificent Men. Spearheaded by social historian David Zang, a professor at Towson University in

Album cover for Magnificent Men LIVE!

Maryland, the project will be a reality once proper funding is secured. Interested parties can visit www.magnificentmen.org.

Back in the day, there was a blue-eyed soul band in our

B. Derek Shaw has been an avid music collector since the ripe old

area that had the right sound at the right time. Soon that

age of 8, as well as a freelance writer. He serves as KEY-NOTES

sound will be documented for all to relive or get

editor, communications specialist for the Keystone Record

acquainted with for the first time.

Collectors, and host of the monthly Pennsylvania Music Expo.

What a magnificent moment! ) ) )

Visit www.recordcollectors.org.

Auditions at 5 Locations!

April 8

April 9

The Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg

The Inn at Reading

915 South York Street Mechanicsburg, PA

1040 Park Road Wyomissing, PA

April 10

April 14

Strand-Capitol Hampton Inn Performing Arts Downingtown/Exton Center 4 North Pottstown Pike 50 North George Street York, PA

Exton, PA

April 17 Park Plaza Hotel & Resort 500 Centerville Road Lancaster, PA

Your one-time private audition may be performed at the location of your choice. (Limited number of auditions at each location. Act now!)

Participants must be a Pennsylvania resident and at least 50 years of age as of January 1, 2008.

Solo participants only – no groups, please.

Finals will be held June 9, 2008 at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster.

For more information or an application, please visit www.SeniorIdolPA.com or call (717) 285-1350 spring 2008|

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