James Cagney
Once again, greetings and salutations. Hard to believe we’re moving into the middle of October, and before you can wink an eye, the holidays will be here, and then another new year.
And speaking about the New Year, our great news is that our gala New Year’s Eve party this year will again be at the Atlantic City Trump Taj Mahal, this time in the main room. Stay tuned for info on how you can get your tickets. And if you haven’t been able to get my book, You Only Rock Once, we’ll have copies on hand this Friday night at Fabulous ’50s Weekend in Wildwood, and again on Tuesday, Oct. 18, when we do a book signing at the Ocean County Library in Little Egg Harbor at 7pm.
Look forward to seeing you shortly — now, time for your questions.
Several of my dancing friends and I will be in Brigantine this weekend. Any suggestions where to go and dance? Thanks and hope to see you soon! — Lorraine McGuire (Dirty Dozen member)
You’re in luck – this weekend is Fabulous ’50s Weekend in Wildwood, so come in costume. I’ll be kicking it off Friday night, Oct. 14, at the Wildwoods Convention Center. For more info, call 609-729-4000. By the way, you can always find out my schedule at Geator.net (click on “Calendar”).
At the end of the summer I heard you play the most beautiful version of “Life Is But a Dream” with Stevie Wonder playing harmonica, but I missed the name of the group. — Catherine (via e-mail)
I played two versions. One was by the Harptones, who had the original hit in 1954. The one you’re referring to was by the Temptations. It’s from their 1995 album of pop standards called — just like the Geator’s 1964 album — For Lovers Only.
One person I was hoping you would mention in your autobiography was James Cagney. Did you ever meet him in person? — Steve Hannon, Cape May
I did. It was at Ruggiero’s in Little Italy around 1982. The owner of the restaurant introduced us. Mr. Cagney had become good friends with some of the Italian guys in the neighborhood after doing the movie Ragtime in New York and there were pictures of him on the wall of the restaurant. He was in a wheelchair, not in the best of health, and had a female nurse accompanying him. Nevertheless he was very gracious when I told him I was a big fan and thanked me.
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!
His entrée into radio was the result of a lucky roll of the dice during a street-corner craps game.
Once again, greetings and salutations. And as I say on the radio, it’s a ball in the fall, especially if you’re listening to KOOL — that’s 98.3. As you know, WTKU is now the hottest local station in Atlantic County playing the music of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, and it’s a pleasure for me to be a part of it nightly from 7-9pm Monday through Friday. Longport Media, along with Dave Coskey, have given back to Atlantic City the true excitement that was radio back in the day. And talking about that excitement, don’t forget this coming Saturday night, our last get-together at the Lighthouse Pointe in Wildwood, ending our summer season. And, of course, the following Saturday, October 1, it’s the annual Baby Boomers Rock & Roll Revival at La Costa in Sea Isle City. But now, let’s ask the Geator. Reading the book and I’m curious about whatever happened to Skinny Annie. Was she your aunt? — Eddie Roman, Fort Lauderdale No, Skinny Annie (right, with a young Geator) became my babysitter when my mother was working nights at Eskin Jewelers, where Annie also worked. She was almost a part of the family and was accepted by all my aunts...
Greetings and salutations. Well, another summer has come and gone, but the memory will linger on. It was an amazing summer — hurricanes, rains, storms, floods, alarms. Yet Memories survived with all the partying people. As I’ve said on radio, clubs come and clubs go. They’re hot today, but gone tomorrow. For 40 years Memories has been the constant spot. People from all over the country pick up on the magic, and that magic is not only the music, but the people from every walk of life, of all ages. Memories does not depend upon one group, but all people who come together to dance and party, and last weekend was no exception. Back were the familiar faces — Chuck Peruto Jr., John Bolaris, the Admiral and the lovely Linda, Freddie, Bernadette, Charlotte’s kids, the Three Amigos, the Nicolosis, Joe and Dawn Ranieri, the gang from Burberry’s and Ocean City, and many more too numerous to name. Perhaps next week we’ll highlight some more of the folks....
Once again, greetings and salutations. As I’ve always said, the only one that could interrupt the Geator would be a lady. And unfortunately, Irene did it. First time in 40 years that Memories had to close — not only Memories, but this lady took out the entire Jersey shore. So remember, it’s not nice to mess with the lady called Mother Nature. But we’ll make it up to you this weekend. It’s the big Labor Day celebration and, as you know, the official closing of the summer season for most. And we’re going to go nonstop Friday and Saturday, then I’ll see you Sunday at La Costa. Now, let’s ask the Geator. You were the youngest kid on Bandstand. How did you get to be the head of the dancers so fast? — Anonymous, Harrisburg, Pa. When I entered the first two dance contests in 1953, I won them, and because of that,...
It isn’t uncommon to see a line forming well before doors open at Memories in Margate — the Amherst Avenue nightclub Jerry “The Geator with the Heater” Blavat has owned since 1972 — during weekend nights in the summer. This past weekend, though, had special significance, and the early Friday night flock certainly knew it.
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