The Cryan' Shames were admired for their intricate harmonies. They started out in Hinsdale, Illinois as a band called the Travelers and changed their name in 1966. Jim (J.C. Hooke) Pilster was responsible for naming the group because of the problem they had coming up with a name "being a Cryan' Shame."
From Arlington Hts., Illinois, we had the raw, garage band sound of
The Shadows of Knight. They were the first of the Chicago bands to make it to the national charts with “Gloria” in 1966. The original version of “Gloria” by Van Morrison’s group, Them, contained lyrics that parents found objectionable. WLS morning jock and program director Clark Weber suggested that somebody put that song together and eliminate that lyric line. WLS put it on the air and the rest is history.
From Lane Tech High School, on the City's Northwest side,
The Buckinghams were the most listened to band in 1967. The Buckinghams used to call themselves THE PULSATIONS until they made an appearances on WGN-TV where a security guard suggested the name change.
From Peoria, Illinois, we had Spanky and Our Gang. With their biggest hit, "Sunday will never be the same" and other's like "Like to get to know you" they were sure to be a great success. Spanky than moved on to join the New Mama's and The Papa's in the 80's.
The American Breed was a local Chicago act that had several minor hits and one big one in the 60's. The group was formed in the Chicago suburb of Cicero in 1966. Under the name of Gary & the Nite Lites, it consisted of Gary Loizzo on vocals and guitar, Chuck Colbert on bass, Al Ciner on guitar and Lee Graziano on drums. All of them had been born in the Chicago area.
A Cicero band calling themselves Gary and the Knight Lites were immensely popular in clubs playing a kind of pop version of the soul hits of the day. Traut recorded them for one single on Dunwich as the Nite Lites, after which he got them a contract with Acta Records as the American Breed. It was as the American Breed that they racked up several hits, making them the most commercially successful act produced by Dunwich.
The Del-Vetts were one of the few Dunwich groups to place records on the charts, albeit the charts were in hometown Chicago. Surprisingly, they did this under two different names. They hit with "Last Time Around" as the Del-Vetts, then changed their name to Pride and Joy for a movie deal, and hit again with the Dennis Dahlquist-penned "Girl," which was supposed to have been featured in the movie, which never came out. They also were involved with an STP oil treatment promotion with a single called "I Call My Baby STP."
With also Allan Sherman with "Hello Mother hello Father", Buzz Clifford with "Baby sittin' song" and from Gene Chandler , The Dells , to Sounds Unlimited and Ral Donner , The City of Chicago is happy to have such fame from great artists. We salute you all for making Chicago the greatest city in the world! THANK YOU!
Websites of some Chicago Legends
Chicago
Ronnie Rice
Cryan' Shames
Gene Chandler
New Colony Six
Ral Donner
The Buckinghams
The Chi-Lites
Ides Of March
The Dells
Sam Cooke
The Mauds
The Del-Vetts
American Breed
Shadows of Knight
The Flamingos
The El Dorados
The Marvelows
Joey Krol
Dick Biondi
WCFL Radio
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