Atlantic City Weekly

Share this Story:

Greetings and salutations. And as hot as the weather has been, that’s how hot it is at Memories. As soon as we open up our doors on Friday night at 8, it jams. People from all over the country are experiencing the magic. And it’s all live every weekend on KOOL 98.3. Last weekend, no exception, not only at Memories, but when we did our thing at Linwood Country Club on Saturday. It was like a Memories reunion — Kate & Sam Sidewater, Jeff Orleans and Kim Delaney, my pal Dick Dilsheimer and his lovely Barbara, David Farber and his lovely Alexandra, along with Sinatra’s favorite guy Merrill Kelem. The highlight of the evening was when my buddy, one of the top attorneys in the country, Eddie Jacobs, took to the dance floor with his lovely Linda. Add another star to his portfolio, dancer extraordinaire. It was great to see my old friend Paul Gross, and his lovely wife Anita. The party continued later that night at Memories. And a couple of surprise visits – former Governor Mark Schweiker at La Costa on Sunday, and at Memories the previous week, my old friend Lewis Katz, who brought along the new CEO of Atlantic Records, Craig Kallman. This young man, in the little bit that we spoke, impressed me as very sharp and bright and just the young blood the legendary label needs to reach the younger generation. Atlantic’s roster of stars going back to the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s — Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, the Drifters, Otis, Aretha, and more — are the true legends. But you can listen to the Geator on WXPN Saturdays from 6-7pm when I feature these wonderful artists who created rock ‘n’ roll.


And it’s official: You Only Rock Once is now available everywhere. This Sunday, July 31, at 9:30am, watch as I talk to my buddy Larry Kane on his Voices of Reason show on CN8 TV. Then on Monday, Aug. 1, the first book signing of many will take place at the Philadelphia Free Library on Vine Street at 7:30pm. I’ll be interviewed by music critic Tom Moon. It’s going to be an extraordinary month. Now, let’s ask the Geator.


On Facebook someone posted “American Bandstand Dancers Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame.” Why isn’t this program in Philadelphia? — Mark Rein, Philadelphia via e-mail 


From what I’m told, it’s not a program, it’s just a group of folks who are campaigning to have the original dancers on Dick Clark’s national TV show get a star on the Walk of Fame. The obvious reason it isn’t in Philly is because the Hollywood Walk of Fame is in . . . Hollywood. But I agree that they deserve a star on the Walk of Fame, and on the Broad Street Walk of Fame in Philly as well.



Today you played a great song I never heard before. You said it was Mel & Tim? I wrote down some of the words: “If you want my love forever, baby I want yours too / As long as we are both together there’s nothing we can’t do / We’ll be together forever and ever.” I hope you recognize the song. Thanks a million. — Lisa, via e-mail 


That’s “Forever and a Day,” by the same guys who had the 1969 hit “Backfield in Motion.” Mel Hardin and Tim McPherson were cousins from Mississippi who were discovered by Gene Chandler and signed to his label, Bamboo, then moved to the Stax label and had another hit with “Starting All Over Again” in 1972. Another good group that unfortunately did not last past the ’70s.



Still have your 45 single “Rats in My Room.” Would you sign it? — Brian Allen, via Facebook 



It wasn’t my single, but it would be my pleasure to sign something as rare as that. If you like, meet me at Memories or any one of my gigs or book signings — schedule online at geator.net — and I’ll sign your 45.

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!