Atlantic City Weekly

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Once again, greetings and salutations. Before we get to your questions, let me tell you about last weekend — absolutely amazing. It began Friday night (June 24) right before going to do the live broadcast on KOOL 98.3 from the Pool Bar at Caesars Atlantic City, when I popped by Mia and saw my old friend Chris Scarduzio and Don Marrandino, president of Caesars Entertainment’s eastern division, who was waiting for my old pal Lionel Ritchie. I couldn’t stay because I had the live broadcast, but lo and behold, at around 11pm, after Lionel’s show, his whole crew came and partied all night with us at the Pool Bar.


And Saturday the stars really were out at Memories. My buddy Jim Allen, who runs all of the Seminole Hard Rock venues, danced the night away and told me that they’re getting ready to make some big moves in A.C. and want the Geator. Then the ever popular Joey & Arlene Verne, along with Councilman DiCicco and Carol Tamburino, made their moves on the dance floor. And a whole busload of folks from Avalon partied with my man Dan, who celebrated his 50th birthday. Of course the Two Amigos were there, Anthony and Justin; Sean was on a mission of mercy — a bachelor party. And our favorite Philly attorney, Chris, when he heard me playing Otis Redding’s “Love Man,” embraced a beautiful little blonde who I could have sworn was embracing Justin weeks before. And on and on. Nothing but stars.


And with the big July 4 weekend coming, we will celebrate Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with the Geator’s birthday bash Sunday night, July 3, at Memories in Margate along with Uncle Sam. See you there. Now, let’s ask the Geator.


You played a song I have been trying to track down, “Ruby Baby” by the Jewels. After you played it you said that the Jewels were really the Tymes. — Lenny from Linwood


That’s “Groovy Baby” by Billy Abbott & the Jewels, on the Cameo-Parkway label. The Tymes, like the Dream Lovers and the Orlons from Philly, often backed up other artists who recorded for that label. They were billed as the Jewels when they sang backup because as the Tymes they had hit records on Cameo-Parkway, and the owner, Bernie Lowe, did not want to confuse the public. He also was looking to develop Billy Abbott as an artist. Unfortunately Billy had only one middling hit, and it was “Groovy Baby.” 


After listening to your show on the Bihari brothers, what are your theories about why so many Jewish men went into the record business and recorded black music? Thinking also of the Chess brothers, Jerry Wexler, Syd Nathan. — Barry W.


Also Art Rupe of Specialty Records and Morris Levy of Roulette, among others. It’s funny because not only in the recording industry, but also if you look at cinema or Broadway, you’ll note that many of the producers and venue owners were Jewish businessmen who had a certain feel for what America was looking for in the arts. Other nationalities coming over from Europe became laborers or craftsmen who found jobs in industry or stores. But maybe because of the historical background of the Jews, they could relate to the stories told in the music of the bluesmakers.

Got a question for Jerry? Send it to AskTheGeator@acweekly.com or Geator Gold Radio, 626 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. For more info on Jerry’s appearances, go to www.geator.net — and keep on rocking, ’cause you only rock once!