Well,
not quite the same ring to it as "December, 1963,'' but today does
mark the release of "Jersey Boys," Clint Eastwood's latest directorial
endeavor. So, in honor of the nationwide release of the movie, I
couldn't help but recall my brief encounter with Frankie, Bob and the
band on Wednesday, March 25, 1964, when I booked them into the
Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on behalf of the KXOA Radio "Good Guys."
It was another "Vail-Polaris" joint production -- and, if I recall,
general admission seats were $2!
I
had done another 'appreciation' show for KXOA on September 6, 1963,
that featured the great and much-revered Johnny Burnette, whose group,
the Rock and Roll Trio (with brother Dorsey and friend Paul Burlison)
are yet another 'early influence' group constantly snubbed by the Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame. That show also featured Freddy Cannon, The
Righteous Brothers, Ray Peterson (that began a lifelong friendship with
one rock's 'golden voices'), The Merced Bluenotes and The Rivingtons.
The
Wednesday concert, during Spring (Easter) Break 1964, was a day after
my 20th birthday, March 24. I was already working with The Beach Boys,
setting up concerts and an occasional 'dance' on the west coast ... not
the major markets like LA, San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco --
although I often went with them to those shows -- but secondary cities
like Sacramento, Fresno, Marysville, CA, Portland, OR, Spokane, WA,
Boise, ID, Reno and Las Vegas, NV. Most of the big acts pretty much
ignored those cities and a few of them didn't really have any major
venues in which to perform. Our Boise show was in the local high school
auditorium, the Reno show was in an auditorium above the city
library:)
I
was on the road constantly in those days, having dropped out of
Sacramento State College to join the Beach Boys organization as their
first 'advance man,' emcee and marketing manager. I had been earning $2
an hour as a deejay, but could earn as much as $600 for promoting a
Beach Boys gig. Not bad for a nineteen year old. On that particular
Wednesday, I was visiting my parents at our home in Sacramento, when I
heard a knock at the front door. When I opened it, it was Dennis and
Carl Wilson who had come up to wish me a Happy Birthday and attend the
concert.
The Crickets opened, got a great response from the crowd, and after a brief intermission, The Seasons took the stage. The show got off to a great start, but somehow during the intermission, or during the early part of their set, a few of the kids spotted Denny and Carl -- either in the 'wings' of the stage or through an open door to the backstage area. All of a sudden, the 'sighting' of Sacramento's all-time favorite group, got the kids in a frenzy. They were shouting their names and stomping their feet, and interrupting The Four Seasons and Frankie.
It
was quite embarrassing for both groups and caught KXOA management, and
myself totally off guard. We finally made the decision to stop the
show and Carl and Denny walked out on to the stage to thank the kids
for their applause but reminding them that this was 'the Four Seasons
show and 'we'll be back in a few months to see you.' They politely
asked the kids to let the Seasons go on with their show and to respect
them as they respected the Beach Boys. The show resumed without incident
and Denny, Carl and I, along with my girlfriend of the time, Dolly,
and few KXOA friends, went out to a late night birthday dinner.
For me, it was, indeed, 'oh, what a night!'
Fred Vail,
Treasure Isle Recorders,
Music City, USA[with thanks to Forgotten Hits]
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