Atlantic City Weekly

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Once again, greetings and salutations, and another stellar weekend with sun and fun at the Jersey shore. It began Friday night on KOOL 98.3 from Chickie’s and Pete’s in Egg Harbor Township, and then dancing under the stars for the month of June at the Pool Bar at Caesars. Of course, Saturday night, nothing but stars at Memories in Margate. The evening started out with the arrival of Kate and Sam Sidewater — Kate a double for Veronica Lake and Sam a double for Franchot Tone. And who followed them? My old pal Jeff Orleans, with one of my favorite actresses and people, Kim Delaney. Yes, she’s as pretty in person as she is on the screen. And lo and behold, the Shabels, Fred and Irene, along with pharmacist Mary Parenti, husband Rich, and Jennie & Bill Whitmore, CEO of one the biggest security companies in the U.S., all danced the night away. Then my buddy Lou Galdo from South Philly and his lovely wife were entertained by the Three Amigos, or should I say Two? It was just Justin and Anthony who partied with mom and dad celebrating Father’s Day. Frank Kerbeck also partied the night away with a whole bunch of beauties. And my old friend Paul “Skinny” D’Amato and his brother Willie were there in spirit when Willie’s daughter Lisa and her hubby celebrated their first meeting years ago at Memories. Lisa’s brother Paul, named after their uncle, is one of the top-ranked attorneys in Atlantic County. And on it went till 4 in the morning. With July approaching fast, we’ll do our annual birthday bash, and look for the Geator caravan to move to a new location on Friday nights, which we’ll announce shortly. Now to your questions.

Whatever happened to the Vibrations? This group never gets any respect. — Michael McGhee, via e-mail

The Vibrations were a great West Coast R&B group who were pushed by their label into recording dance songs. They had several hits — as the Jayhawks with “Stranded in the Jungle” (I played the version by the Cadets last Saturday on WXPN), as the Marathons with “Peanut Butter,” and as the Vibrations with “Watusi,” using the same melody as Hank Ballard’s “Let’s Go, Let’s Go, Let’s Go.” They had another hit in 1964 with “My Girl Sloopy,” which became “Hang On Sloopy” when the McCoys covered it in 1965. They worked in Philly with Gamble and Huff for a while, but eventually disbanded. Only two members are still alive, one of whom, Carl Fischer, fronts a new Vibrations group.

I listened to your show today, great music and energy! You played “I Just Want to Make Love to You” — who did that version? Also when are you at Memories, and what about your birthday bash? — Ralph Warzy Sr., via e-mail

You’re talking about a song originally written and recorded by Jimmy Reed. This is the great blues version Etta James did live in San Francisco. As far as Memories, I’m there every Saturday night, with DJs Joey Merini spinning Friday nights and Perry Angelozzi Thursday and Sunday nights. And as you know, the Geator and Uncle Sam celebrate our birthdays a day apart. The Fourth this year is on a Monday, so we’re going to do a double bubble on my real birthday, Sunday, July 3. We’ll begin with our afternoon jam session at La Costa in Sea Isle, and then the big party Sunday night at Memories with food from Tony Luke’s, Geno’s, Modo Mio, the Aramingo, Chickie’s and Pete’s, Barrels, and much more. Hope to see you there.