GARY LEWIS LEGENDARY LEADER OF 60S HITMAKERS THE PLAYBOYS CHATS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE BAND, TAKING DRUM LESSONS FROM BUDDY RICH, AND HIS FAMOUS FATHER!

 

 

60s HITMAKERS

G A R Y   L E W I S

A N D

T H E  P L A Y B O Y S

ZOOM TV SPECIAL EVENT

WITH

LEGENDARY SINGER ...MUSICIAN...FOUNDER

... LEADER

G A R Y 

L E W I S

CLICK BELOW

 TO WATCH IN ITS ENTIRETY

Gary Lewis was about as close to being an "overnight success" in the recording field as anyone can get. And - just because it happens so seldom - it is always a special thrill when show business lightning strikes twice in the same family. The comedy antics of Jerry Lewis skyrocketed him to fame when he was just barely out of his teens. No. 1 son Gary had achieved comparable success in the music field... also at a young and carefree age.

The son of a famous father - in any field - is often faced with serious problems in finding and maintaining his own identity. But when Gary Lewis and The Playboys® auditioned for their first job at Disneyland, no one there knew Gary was anybody but a thin drummer. The entertainment director of the park merely liked what he saw and heard and hired Gary and the boys on the spot - much to their surprise. The boys were enthusiastically accepted by the audiences from the very first night, and as the word spread it was not long before they were playing to a packed house every night.

It was the summer of 1964 when Gary Lewis and The Playboys® were discovered by producer Snuff Garret. Before long, with the producer/arranger team of Garrett and Leon Russell behind them, they took their first single, This Diamond Ring straight to number one. After their second hit titled Count Me In went to number two, Gary and the band proved that they would be a continued success. They followed with more Top 10 songs such as Save Your Heart For Me, Everybody Loves A Clown, She's Just My Style, Sure Gonna Miss Her, and many more.

In 1965 Gary himself was Cash Box magazine's "Male Vocalist of the Year", winning the honor over other nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. He was the first and only artist during the 1960's to have his first seven releases reach Billboard magazine's Top 10 on the Hot 100 chart. Along with his appearances on various popular television shows including American Bandstand, Hullabaloo, and The Tonight Show. Gary accumulated an impressive five appearances within two years on the Ed Sullivan Show.

With the reoccurring interest in oldies music, Gary Lewis & The Playboys® are one of the hottest acts around. Gary Lewis, along with the Playboys, continues to tour and entertain fans across the country and abroad.

GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS

TOUR 2023

Venice, FL

BAY INDIES RESORT

Community Ballroom at 7:30pm

March 18th

 

Ocala, FL

TOP OF THE WORLD/ CIRCLE SQUARE

 CULTURAL CENTER

March 23rd

 

St Petersburg, FL 

DUKE ENERGY CENTER FOR THE ARTS

 – MAHAFFEY THEATRE

Also featuring: Jay & the Americans,

 The Cyrkle, The Vogues, Chris

 Ruggiero

March 24th

 

The Villages, FL

SAVANNAH CENTER

Also featuring Rocky & The Rollers

April 12th

 

129 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, NV,

 89101

GOLDEN NUGGET LAS VEGAS, NV

April 21st

 

Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania

FM KIRBY CENTER

Also featuring: Jay & The Americans,

 The Grass Roots, Jimmy Russo

May 6th

FOR MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT

GARY LEWIS & THE PLAYBOYS

VISIT

www.garylewisandtheplayboys.com

Official website

www.facebook.com/people/Gary-Lewis-and-the-Playboys/100062950732819/

Facebook

https://twitter.com/glewisplayboys

Twitter

 

 

DISCOGRAPHY

Singles

Year         Single

1965 "This Diamond Ring"

"Count Me In"

"Doin' the Flake"

"Save Your Heart for Me"

"Everybody Loves a Clown"

"She's Just My Style"

1966 "Sure Gonna Miss Her"

"Green Grass"

"My Heart's Symphony"

"(You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture"

"Where Will the Words Come From"

1967 "Way Way Out"

"The Loser (with a Broken Heart)"

"Girls in Love"

"Jill"

"Has She Got The Nicest Eyes"

1968 "Sealed with a Kiss"

"Main Street"

1969 "Rhythm of the Rain"

"Hayride"

"I Saw Elvis Presley Last Night"

1970 "I'm on the Right Road Now"

1972 "Then Again Maybe"

1975 "One Good Woman"

Albums

Year         Album

1965 This Diamond Ring

A Session with Gary Lewis and the Playboys

Everybody Loves a Clown

She's Just My Style

1966 Hits Again

(You Don't Have To) Paint Me a Picture

1967 New Directions

Listen!

Gary Lewis & The Playboys

1968 Gary Lewis Now!

1969 Rhythm of the Rain/Hayride

Close Cover Before Playing

Rhythm!

I'm on the Right Road Now

Compilation albums

Year         Album

1966 Golden Greats

1968 More Golden Greats

1975 The Very Best of Gary Lewis and the Playboys

1990 The Legendary Masters Series

GARY LEWIS

APPEARS WEEK OF

 JANUARY 7TH 2023

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

ORDER NOW

 WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE  

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS,

 CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM 

FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS 

THAT SET US FREE!

BY MUSIC JOURNALIST ...TALK SHOW HOST...  

AUTHOR RAY SHASHO 

…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover or E-book at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO

 

DAVID LIBERT MEMBER OF 60S GROUP 'THE HAPPENINGS' TOUR MANAGER TO ALICE COOPER & GEORGE CLINTON RELEASES NEW BOOK 'ROCK AND ROLL WARRIOR'!

 

D A V I D 

L I B E R T

RELEASES NEW BOOK

'ROCK AND ROLL WARRIOR'

True tales from the Inner circle of the music industry, from Alice Cooper to Prince, on the road, backstage, on private jets and inside the notorious after-parties with music legends. 

ZOOM TV EXCLUSIVE

 ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

CLICK BELOW 

TO WATCH IN ITS ENTIRETY

David Libert had such a long and interesting career in the music business, his friends encouraged him to write a book about it…so he did. 

The result is an autobiography 50-plus years in the making aptly entitled Rock and Roll Warrior, recently released on Sunset Blvd Books.  It’s a chronicle of David’s inner circle life in the music industry as a popular international performer, singer/songwriter, tour manager, booking agent, producer, and drug dealer on the Sunset Strip.  It’s a story so wild, so crazy, so over-the-top that it can only be true.  You can’t make this stuff up!

In his book, he shares with the reader (and with you) unvarnished, no-holds-barred, stories of his life in the rock ‘n roll fast lane on the road, backstage, on private jets and inside notorious after-show parties with music legends in the era of free-spirit, hard driving rock ‘n’ roll and R&B.  It’s life on the road in technicolor.  A roller coaster ride peek behind the curtain at the good, the bad and the ugly in the music biz of years gone by.

The book is a riotous, humorous, intimate, provocative story of Libert’s life in music.   He has absolutely no qualms about sharing stories of all aspects of his life that will amaze, titillate, impress, and endear him to those who read his fascinating life journey in music. 

From his tenure as co-lead singer of 60s pop hitmakers, The Happenings, to his role as tour manager for Alice Cooper’s most legendary 70s tours, to managing funk/R&B legend George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic to eventually being imprisoned for dealing drugs in L.A., David is happy to share his way-too-interesting life with you in an interview…no subject is off-limits!  

 Hailing from Paterson, New Jersey, he co-founded The Happenings with three high school pals shortly after graduation.  The Happenings went on to have several hit records including "See You in September" and "I Got Rhythm.”  "See You In September" and "I Got Rhythm" were on the Billboard Hot 100 charts for 14 weeks in 1966 and 13 weeks in 1967, respectively, and both songs peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 charts at #3.

Sales for both "See You in September" and "I Got Rhythm" exceeded one million copies, resulting in R.I.A.A. gold record awards by 1969.  The group had nine Billboard Hot 100 Singles hits from 1966 to 1968, including versions of "Go Away Little Girl" (#12) (a #1 hit for Steve Lawrence in 1963 and later for Donny Osmond in 1971) and "My Mammy" (#13) (popularized by Al Jolson in the 1920s). They also both achieved sales of over one million copies, garnering the group another couple of gold records.

Libert left the group to become a booking agent and eventually a tour manager. After a brief stint as road manager for Rare Earth, Libert became tour manager for Alice Cooper during Alice's most formidable years (1971–1975). Libert figured prominently in Bob Greene's book about accompanying Cooper's band on 1973's Billion Dollar Babies tour. Libert also was credited for singing background vocals on the Billion Dollar Babies album which was recorded at Morgan Studios in London in 1973.  He remains friendly with Alice to this day. In 1975, Libert migrated from New York to Los Angeles and in 1976, opened the David Libert Management Agency which represented George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band and The Runaways (Cherie Currie, Joan Jett, Lita Ford).

In the early 80s, he met Prince through Sheila E, who was one of his management clients at the time.  Sheila E opened for Prince on the legendary Purple Rain tour and Libert spent a lot of time hanging with Prince, many times assisting Prince with his shows.

In the late 90s, Libert formed Available Entertainment with entertainment attorney Alan Oken. Available Entertainment went on to represent George Clinton, Parliament/Funkadelic, Brian Auger, Living Colour, Sheila E, Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, amongst others.

Libert also wrote hit songs for other artists including The Tokens, The Chiffons and Gerry & The Pacemakers.

Libert has promoted many concerts throughout his career including sold out shows at Madison Square Garden in New York (George Clinton) and the Cricket Wireless Amphitheater in Kansas City (Kool and the Gang).

His record producing credits include co-producing The Happenings album, Piece of Mind, with fellow Happenings co-founder Bobby Miranda, as well as producing on his own - Tomi Rae Brown, Attus, Steel Water Blue and Eric Kellogg's Imaginary Band.

Despite his success, Libert eventually became involved in drugs and, for a time, began dealing drugs before being busted and paying the price for it with jail time.

But he regrouped and made a successful return to the music industry as a manager, working with acts including Living Colour and Vanilla Fudge, who were respectful of his knowledge and skills and were happy to work with him.

These days, soon to be 80 years young, David is enjoying a much more relaxed and less hectic life. He lives in Southern California and is a devoted animal rights activist, helping to find homes for animals that desperately need one. There’s talk about the book being made into a feature length film as well, which excites David to no end. 

PURCHASE

THE NEW BOOK

BY

DAVID LIBERT

ROCK AND ROLL WARRIOR

at amazon.com

David Libert shares the unvarnished, absolutely true tales from the Inner circle of the music industry from Alice Cooper to Prince, on the road, backstage, on private jets and inside the notorious after-parties with music legends in the era of free-spirit, hard-driving rock ’n’ roll and R&B. It’s life on the road in technicolor. A rollercoaster ride like none other. You’re in the trenches as “Dyno Dave” engages with his hilarious, edgy, and sarcastic wit. As Tour Manager for Alice Cooper, running the first large-scale, theatrical, international rock tour to Manager of Parliament-Funkadelic Libert leads the charges with wisdom, ingenuity, dexterity, psychology, and arm-tising. As much as it is the story of rock superstars, it is a tale of David’s journey from being the singer in the hit ‘60s pop group the Happenings (See You In September) through his days as a drug dealer on Sunset Strip.

Quotes from some of David’s friends about the book:

 

While looking back at the WELCOME TO MY NIGHTMARE tour,

there was only one person who could have been the road manager.

David Libert was somehow on the same frequency as the cast and

crew’s collective madness. If the fires of insanity were burning,

David Libert was fanning the flames. Every morning’s flight

began with roll call and the ‘ball’ scores.

—ALICE COOPER

 

First as booking agent and then as personal manager for

Parliament-Funkadelic during our wildest tours, David Libert

was Mission Control for the Mothership.

—GEORGE CLINTON, Dr. Funkenstein

 

In the dog-eat-dog world of Rock and Roll in the ‘70s and ‘80s,

Dave Libert was known for his upbeat style, his ruthlessness in

business and his epic Hollywood Hills parties. He wore many hats

as a booking agent and manager, and in those days, you couldn’t

find anyone better. Thanks for the memories, Dave!

—CHERIE CURRIE, The Runaways

 

DAVID LIBERT

APPEARS WEEK OF

 DECEMBER 12TH 2022

ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

WITH RAY SHASHO

GREAT HOLIDAY GIFT

ORDER NOW

 WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE  

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS 

AND WISDOM FROM  THE MUSIC LEGENDS 

THAT SET US FREE!

BY MUSIC JOURNALIST ...TALK SHOW HOST...  

AUTHOR RAY SHASHO 

…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover or E-book at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Over 45 intimate conversations with some of the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

featuring

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

 

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

The Rock Star Chronicles by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   

Gold Award Winner

MORE BOOKS BY RAY SHASHO