19 Comments
User's avatar
William Cini's avatar

Quite a night. And quite a memento to take home with you 🏆

Joe Bonomo's avatar

haha it was indeed

Robert Winters's avatar

I wasn't able to make the show, but I was there in that Whitestone basement when the boys first gave it a shot a half century ago. It has been quite a ride.

Joe Bonomo's avatar

You were present at the Origin Story!

Andrew Taylor's avatar

That was excellent.

Joe, thanks.

Andrew

Joe Bonomo's avatar

Thanks, Andrew!

Andrew Taylor's avatar

You`re welcome, Joe!

Eric Ambel's avatar

Thank you Joe. I feel like I was there now!

Joe Bonomo's avatar

Thanks, Eric! I wish you'd been!

Eric Ambel's avatar

Me too. I was booked!

Michael J. Socolow's avatar

I loved *Sweat* and this post brings back a lot of memories. Thanks.

Joe Bonomo's avatar

Thanks, Michael!

Dan Epstein's avatar

I'm sorry I couldn't make the scene, but your fine recollection of the evening makes me feel like I did!

Joe Bonomo's avatar

Thanks, my man!

Wayne Robins's avatar

What a great read! Not sure if you know I’ve lived in the Fleshtones Queens neighborhood for more than 25 years. I loved your book about them, and think about them every day I cross Murray Street. The ‘hood has changed: real estate values have multiplied the way they have on the Bowery. It’s still the kind of place where if you tell someone you’re a writer, they can’t really fathom what that means. Cement, plumbing, roofing: Those are Whitestone jobs. It’s cool though: totally under the radar.

Joe Bonomo's avatar

Thanks, Wayne! Not sure I knew that. Kinda comforting that "the more things change..." is operative in Whitestone. I haven't been back since I wrote the book, and I bet it's changed even since then.

Antonio's avatar

Congratulations! Great text. Informative with a feeling.

Four questions (if you know / want to answer)

a) Is any recording / filming of this going to be published someday?

It was great to have Jan Marek Pakulski present. However:

b) Was there any attempt to invite / get Lenny Calderon (drummer in the early years, the "Blast Off" sessions -later published as a ROIR Casette- and present in the first Fleshtones single "American Beat / Critical List" single? (If he has died, I was not aware of it)

c) Was there any attempt to invite / get Robert Burke Warren (substitute of JMPakulski, with very little recorded output with The Fleshtones but toured with them for two/three years - including the gig supporting James Brown in Paris, France -, and played in all songs in the Full Time Men's "Your Face My Fist" with Keith and Bill)?

d) Any attemt to get a Marty Thau family member?

I am just curious on this, but from what you write, it was a great show.

Antonio

Joe Bonomo's avatar

Thanks, Antonio!

Unfortunately, I don't know the answers to your questions. There are great vids all over YouTube and socials. I thought at one point I'd read that Lenny C was involved, but I might've been mistaken.

Antonio's avatar

Thank you Joe!