2020 performance season update

Following a successful 2019 performance season was a hard act to follow this year. I did not hear back from numerous venues from last year regarding this year for whatever reason. There was the golden anniversary for Marge’s Lakeside performance talked about two years ago that never materialized. And Joan from Lyons, NY decided to retire, passing the baton to someone unfamiliar with the group. Everything felt a bit off right from the getgo. And then things came to a screeching halt in February, which is usually the time the last-minute shows materialize.  When all was said and done, we ended up with a half-dozen events, three of which event organizers have subsequently cancelled. Although I do not possess a crystal ball, I predict that we will play live for you this summer. Alternative ideas are in the works, and more details will follow. Please refer to our events section for cancellations and possible additions.

Group history – 1986

I will go on record as admitting that I have a sweet spot for nostalgia. With uncanny foresight, I know what to save and what to chuck. Most rational people would throw everything out. However, if, for any reason, I feel an artifact chronicles my life, I keep it for future reference. The problem is my organization of said artifacts leads something to be desired. While digging around in the garage loft — for something else of course — I stumbled upon a motherload of group artifacts: photos, recordings, flyers, banners, posters, setlists, and yearly calendars.

It was one of the yearly calendars from 1986 that will form the basis of this article. Let me begin by telling you that these calendars were incredibly detailed, much to the delight of my 2020 eyes! They record performance dates, some of which document the fee we agreed to, practice days, when band members came and left, sometimes with the reason, and vacation times for specific bandmates. I will use the term band for It’s My Party at this stage. To my way of thinking, a band is a self-contained entity, with the same performers at every show, think the Beatles. A group is a vocal ensemble backed by varying musicians from show to show. For our history, we were a band from 1985 through 1988, and then again from the early ’90s through 2003. 2004 started our group era with more complex and elaborate orchestration by various musicians. 

1986 saw three incarnations of the band. January 1 through May 4 was the original band, June 30 through August 4 was a short-lived second formation, and October 23 to the end of the year marked the beginning of the third iteration of It’s My Party, the beginning of the Paul Kanack Era.

Without going into too much detail, the original band performed seven times in 1986, once at Shnozz’s, three times at the Casablanca, twice at Red Creek, and once at the Island Cottage. All of these venues are now defunct. My memory must be slipping because I had no idea the original band played at Shnozz’s, or Red Creek more than once. I do not remember the third show at Casablanca on May 3, which turned out to be the last for the original It’s My Party. The following day Gary Skinner, Dave Carroll, and Liz Collins departed.

Liz, Sonia & Sharon perform at Red Creek on April 19, 1986. The building is now a MacGregor’s

On June 30, we put the band back together. I give Jim Basile, our bassist, and Sharon and Sonia, our remaining singers, all kinds of credit for sticking it out, the original band had incredible esprit de corps. It took a lot of fortitude to persevere. Without those members sticktoitiveness, It’s My Party would have folded. Vocalist Kelly Donovan and Guitarists Ken Peters and Larry Goss joined Sharon, Sonia, Jim, and me on that final day of June in 1986. We were ready to embark on a new adventure.

Just a quick background on Ken and Kelly, Ken was a fan and follower of the group. He would always approach the stage at the end of the show and thank us. One time he mentioned that he played bass as his primary instrument, but that he also played guitar, and that if we ever needed one or the other in the band to look him up. So, sure enough, I did, and Ken was thrilled to join us. Ken brought a degree of enthusiasm and original material that he had crafted through the years. He was also an advocate of Brodesser Guitars, custom-built guitars and basses by Ryan Brodesser in nearby Brockport, NY.

Kelly was known to me from the girl group Girl Talk, an act that also included Liz Collins at one time before Liz moved on to Transistor Sister. After talking it over with her husband, Kelly joined the group. Kelly brought a sense of theater and professionalism that were not a part of the original band. The original It’s My Party ran on pure adrenaline, spontaneity, and talent, with fun being the prime objective. 

Larry is doubling on maracas at the MDC performance during the song, “I Want Candy.”

Larry Goss, to my knowledge, had never been in a band before, nor do I think he had performed live. Larry is someone I have stayed in touch with through these years, just a great guy, and he still follows IMP. Larry and I go way back to the days of the band Montage. I played drums in Montage beginning in 1974, and Larry, being from East Penfield and knowing some of the band members, started following us. Larry was also a fan of my band Tempest in the late ’70s. Larry most likely also followed It’s My Party, as he was a big fan of Dave Carroll’s guitar playing. Dave also played in Montage and Tempest before It’s My Party. Larry cites Dave Carroll and Bud Covert, a Penfield guitar legend, as two of his early inspirations. Since Larry is a humble guy, I think that I approached him to join the group, and I am so glad I did! I must have been pretty convincing because Larry was getting married just six days later on July 6 and honeymooned through July 20, leaving only six days after his return before our first performance.

Version two of It’ My Party performed twice. The first show was on July 26 at 2 PM at Panorama Plaza off Penfield Road under a festival-style tent. I remember it set up somewhere near where the AutoZone now stands. Then on August 3 from 1 to 5 PM, we played at the Monroe Developmental Center on Westfall Road in Rochester. Sharon worked at MDC and arranged the gig for us. I remember it being a successful show all the way around with organizers, band members, and attendees, albeit a hot and humid August afternoon with a few sprinkles.

Monroe Development Center Performance, August 3, 1986. From L-R Ken, John, Kelly, Sonia, Jim, Sharon & Larry

Sadly as quickly as IMP 2.0 came together, it split up. On August 4, the day after the MDC gig, Larry moved out-of-state while Sharon, Sonia, and Jim decided to depart. I remember speaking with Sharon at our practice facility that day, we had gone through a lot over the past year, and I was upset by her departure.

Now I practically stood alone, for the first time since the idea for this band hatched with then Lakeshore Record Exchange owner, Ron Stein back in 1984.  Fortunately, Ken Peters and Kelly Donovan decided to stick with the band, and again, without there support and belief, I don’t think I would have pursued another attempt at reforming the project. I should also note the Ron Stein was still supportive and, at this point, took on a more active, managerial role. It’s astonishing that when you need people most, they are there for you.

On October 23, singers Patty Angie and Charlene Scarpula joined the band. I remember Patty being at our Island Cottage show on May 5. She approached me, much like Ken, and said that if I ever needed a singer, she was interested. She also confidently stated that she could bring a different twist to the band. Previously, Patty had acted in one of the Frank LaLoggia directed movies filmed locally. Answering an advertisement in the Freetime Magazine, our one-time local entertainment staple, Charlene impressed with a strong audition. 

Now we needed to round out the instrumental ensemble, again relying on Freetime Magazine we placed an ad for a keyboardist and bassist. Terry Farrow, having just been a part of the pit orchestra for the play Pippin, answered our ad and convinced the bass player in that show, Paul Kanack, to tag along to the audition. We immediately got a good vibe from Terry, a gregarious guy. And although Paul was somewhat reserved, his talent was undeniable. Terry and Paul joined the group on November 11 of 1986.

IMP 3.0 From L-R Charlene, Terry, Patti, Ken, Kelly

Although the new incarnation of the band did not perform in 1986, I will pick up their history with details from the 1987 calendar. I hope you enjoyed this look back at our history. Please leave a comment or question, and I will follow up with a reply.