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
((
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
38
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.”
magazine | s p r i n g 2 0 0 8
nostalgia ) ) ) mag men
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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