Category: Central New York Musicians

The Rods are certainly no strangers to Central New York. The group was formed after Ronnie James Dio left “Elf” and his cousin David “Rock” Feinstein teamed up with drummer Carl Canedy. Carl Canedy is a much in demand heavy metal producer today with credits that include Savoy Brown, Blue Cheer, Anthrax, Exciter, Thrasher, Overkill, The Roxx Gang, and Jack Starr. The Rods’ latest release is titled “Heavier Than Thou” (Passport Records). Carl Canedy talked with us about The Rods. Q – Why have The Rods been off the road…

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He’s a home-town boy who has made good. Duane Hitchings is a legend in Syracuse, N.Y. and outside of Syracuse, N.Y. When he was just a teenager he was already doing the Dick Clark Tours with the likes of Del Shannon, Bobby Vinton, and Ricky Nelson. He recorded with Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Janis Joplin and Jeff Beck. He was the founding member of Cactus which included Carmine Appice and Tim Bogert. He played keyboards and guitar with Alice Cooper and keyboards for Rod Stewart. He’s toured the world with…

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He’s a local boy who made quite a name for himself in the music world. Vincent Falcone started out playing piano in various clubs in Syracuse, New York. He went on to become Frank Sinatra’s Musical Conductor and Musical Director for such artists as Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, The McGuire Sisters, Robert Goulet, Al Martino, Connie Francis, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme just to name a few. Mr. Falcone chronicles his life in music, in the book “Frankly Just Between Us, My Life Conducting Frank Sinatra’s Music” (Hal Leonard Publishers).…

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In the early 1960’s, Ed Wool and the Nomads were one of the most popular bands in all of Central New York. The highlight of their career occurred on October 30, 1965, when they opened for the Rolling Stones here in Syracuse at the Onondaga County War Memorial. Mike Christie was a member of Ed Wool and the Nomads. We spoke with Mike about that concert with the Stones and what it was like to be a rock ‘n’ roll group in the sixties. Q – Mike, what instrument did…

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He was one of the “Good Guys”—–the WNDR Radio “Good Guys”. In the 1960’s, in Syracuse, New York—–“Dandy” Dan Leonard was “the man”. As a “D.J” on WNDR Radio his influence was considerable. It would be on exaggeration to say he may have been one of the most powerful disc jockeys in the Northeast, and on the East Coast for that matter. “Dandy” Dan Leonard died on February 11th 2002. He was 75. In an interview conducted on May 17th 1999, “Dandy” Dan Leonard answered questions put to him about…

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Peter Cavanaugh was in the right place, at the right time, with the right stuff. He launched his career as a disc jockey or “DJ” just as rock “n” roll was breaking through in a Big Way. He started that career at WNDR Radio in Syracuse, New York, in the late 1950’s. Peter has written a book about his life in Rock “n” Roll Radio, titled, “Local DJ, A Rock “n” Roll History”. We talked to Peter about those early days of his in radio, with the emphasis on his…

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You don’t always hear about Syracuse musicians who go on to greater fame and fortune. This time you will. Former Eastwood resident John Dittrich now plays drums for R.C.A /B.M.G. recording artists “Restless Heart.” How did John Dittrich do it? That’s what we wanted to know. Q – John, where did you live in Syracuse? A – Teall Ave. Then my family moved to Batavia, N.Y. Then we moved back to Drumlins. Q – What did your parents do that caused you to move around a lot? A – My…

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If you were growing up in Syracuse in the early 60’s, there was one Disc Jockey who stood out from all the others. His name was Bud Ballou. Bud’s non-stop joking and his “on air” patter became his trademark of success. Bud’s name also became synonymous with The Beatles. Very early on he was so captured with their sound, that he made them a featured part of his radio show. He was one of only a few people who traveled with The Beatles through St. Louis, Los Angeles, and Montreal…

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You know him as Jumpin’ Joe Whiting, but he could just as easily been called Mr. Rock ‘n’ Roll. For over 20 years now, Joe Whiting has been a driving force on the local music scene. His partnership with guitarist Mark Doyle led first to the formation of “Free Will, “then later “Jukin’ Bone” (R.C.A. recording artists), on to the Doyle-Whiting Band, and most recently “Back Bone Slip.” Joe’s put together a compilation CD which traces his recorded musical history from 1970 to the present. Titled “Buried Bones,” it features…

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