Ask The Geator

NEWS & VIEWS

By Jerry Blavat

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Oct. 18, 2007

To All a 'Goodnight'

Greetings and salutations. And just a week away, on Oct. 26, the Monster Mash Ball starring Kenny Vance & the Planotones, 9pm at the Hilton. You'll dance the night away with all the cool ghouls. For tickets, I suggest you call the box office at 347-7111. And if you're around this Saturday night, Oct. 20, Memories will be open to the public for a special event raising money for the Cherry Hill West scholarship fund, so come on by. Now, let's ask the Geator.

Can you settle a friendly argument? My buddy says that "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" was written by the group that sang it. I'm sure that song is a standard from years back. We await your judgment. -- Mike & Arnie, Somers Point

It wasn't a standard, but it has become one. And that's a tribute to the songwriting genius of the late Pookie Hudson of the Spaniels. Pookie wrote it for a woman he was dating. One night he stayed so late at her house that her parents told him he had to go. He composed the song as he was walking home. And that's one of the songs we use as the grand finale for our concerts at the Kimmel Center, when all of the acts come on stage together to close the show.

I saw you on QVC advertising Bonanza DVDs. Please settle a battle among myself and some of my friends. There was a special episode where Little Joe married, his wife became pregnant, and was killed in a fire in their home caused by hoods that her brother knew. Joe went from town to town to find the guy and kill him. Everyone seems to know about shows where Joe gets engaged and the girl dies. They're not the ones I'm talking about. I would love to purchase this show, play it for my friends, and watch their faces. Thanks -- Paul Stewart

You're talking about a special two-hour episode called "Forever" from season 14 of Bonanza. It was directed by Michael Landon. The storyline originally had been written for Hoss, but Dan Blocker passed away suddenly right before filming and the part was rewritten for Little Joe. The woman he married was played by Bonnie Bedelia.

Hi, Jerry! Can you tell me any information on the following? Are they still performing or out of the business? Buddy Greco, Jerry Vale, Lou Monte, Dr. John, Sam Butera, Pat Cooper, Tony Danza. -- Tom Darro, Mount Laurel

As we reported last year, Buddy Greco is running his own restaurant/club in Palm Springs called Buddy's. Jerry Vale, who is 76 and lives near Buddy, has recovered from a slight stroke he had in 2002 but has not been performing. Lou Monte passed away 18 years ago. His sons Ray and Ronald own Ronaray Records, which releases limited-edition CDs of their dad. Sam Butera, who as you know was Louis Prima's sax player, retired in 2004 and just celebrated his 80th birthday. Dr. John performs all over the country and has been organizing benefits and raising funds for Hurricane Katrina relief. Tony Danza appeared in the Oscar-winning film Crash and is still active in movies and TV. And I'll be attending Pat Cooper's roast this Friday at the Friars Club in New York.

Got a question for Jerry? Send it to AskTheGeator@atlanticcityweekly.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!