Gary's Gang - Gangbusters

Gary's Gang was comprised of members: Jay Leon-trombone, Bob Forman-sax/flute, Rino Minetti-keyboards/vocals, Al Lauricella-keyboards, Bill Catalano-percussion/vocals, Eric Matthews (Joe Tucci)-guitar/lead vocals and Gary Turnier-drums/vocals.

While the group was named after Turnier there is no doubt that the force behind it was Matthews (Tucci). Matthews (Tucci), along with Turnier, turned in all the writing, arranging and production duties. And it was Eric's (Joe's) nasally vocals that made the group stand out.
Gary's Gang was a garage band in the truest sense of the word. Formed in Queens, New York in the garage of Joe Tucci (Eric), the group recorded their first 12" single to test a new studio that Matthews had built on Long Island. The year was 1978 and disco music was at a fevered pitch when Matthews (Tucci) and Turnier conceived the idea for what would become "Keep On Dancin'."
The song was first released on the tiny Sam label and after becoming a regional hit it was picked up for major distribution by Columbia Records. "It just captured a mood and crossed a lot of groups" Matthews (Tucci) says of the cut's sweet and funky atmopshere. "We liked the beat, but the key to to commerciality and lasting a long time is the strength of the melody" boasts Eric (Joe). After the song shot to #-1 on Billboard's club charts the demand for an entire album caught the group off guard. With their professionalism and tight musical compatability they quickly assembled four additional tracks to be released as their debut album. "Keep On Dancin' " (the album) debuted in the spring of 1979 and rose to #-42 on the Hot 100 album charts and did even better on the Black charts (peaking at #-27). A second 12" single was released to eager audiences that summer. "Let's Lovedance Tonight" wasn't as quirky as their previous hit but it's essence was equally as powerful. The song had a respectable showing on the club charts and helped cement the groups status as a premier disco outfit.
Not wishing to lose the momentum that had been established the group hastily assembled eight new tracks for a second album. Sal DiDonato was brought in for vocals on this venture. Released in late 1979 "Gangbusters" was not as the title suggested. Besides the mediocre 12" single, "Do Ya Wanna Go Dancin' " (the only one released from the album), the album bombed. My guess is that several factors can be attributed to this. The unexpected success of their first album coupled with the pressure to produce another. The fact that the group had more rock leanings than originally heard and their inexperience at making records all added up to a very uneven album. Also Joe and Gary refused to tour and Columbia pulled the promotion on the album. Still it is worth owning and a highly sought-after collectable from the disco era.
With the 1980 collapse of disco the group seemed destined to be regarded as a one-hit wonder. The members continued to perform and milk their "15 minutes of fame" from "Keep On Dancin' " by performing in bars and clubs. Eric (Joe) had the studio to also keep him occupied and he quickly branched out into producing. In the early 1980's he would produce hits for Sharon Redd, Secret Weapon, Passion and France Joli among others.
By 1982 disco music had morphed into dance music and was on the rise again. Matthews (Tucci) seized the opportunity to form his own label. As he had done earlier when he created "Keep On Dancin' " to test the studio, he created "Knock Me Out" to test the label. The 12" single released on his Radar Records label was billed as a Gary's Gang release and it become a mid-sized hit. This rescued G.G. from becoming a "one-hit" wonder. It's interesting to note that the commercial single has vocal & instrumental versions while the promotional version also features accapella and radio edit versions.
At this point Matthews (Tucci), who is very busy, utilizes Gary's Gang as his creative outlet for his performance side. Simply stated it means Gary's Gang was not his top priority which also helps explain the nature of their releases. It would be another year before Radar released the second Gary's Gang 12' single.
"Makin' Music" was released in the fall of 1983 and once again scored chart success. By now clubgoers could easily recognize his voice and he had formulated his sound to maximize profitability. In the spring of 1984 he released "Runaway" to similar results. Both 12" singles feature percolating percussion and thumping keyboards much in the vein of his work with Sharon Redd. The three Radar 12" singles are all considered classics and the strength of them alone would garner him a place in disco history.
As Eric's (Joe's) other interests escalated, writing and producing for others, his Gary's Gang went dormant once again. But like the Phoenix the name Gary's Gang would rise again. In 1994 Matthews (Tucci) released "Gary's Gang-Dance Party." The compact disc was a combination greatest hits and new album combined. The 25 track disc contained: "Keep On Dancin'" (long & short), "Let's Lovedance Tonight," "Round & Round & Round," "Knock Me Out," "Runaway," and "Makin' Music" (long & short) on the greatest hits side. The new material, which was mainly cover versions, included Gary's Gang takes on: "Hot-Hot-Hot," "Mandolay," "Everybody Salsa," "The Hustle" and "You're My Everything." The disc, well worth owning, is still in print from Unidisc Records in Canada.
Most of the original members of the Gang have gone onto other things, Bob Forman founded Faze 4 Orchestras in 1982, Gary Turnier is now a school principle on Long Island and no longer performs, Rino Minetti is a band leader in Jersey, Jay Leon is a Vice President of King World Productions, Al Lauricella is in construction, Bill Catalano is a garbage man, Sal Didonato was a partner in Faze 4 but stepped down due to health problems dating back to the 1980's and Matthews (Tucci) who has remained very active in the industry. In the new millenium he has produced albums for Kenny Dope and Boule Noir as well as a host of compilations. Our hats off to an often overlooked genius and disco inovator, and for giving us the enduring classic……so "Keep On Dancing."

tracks

01-Do Ya' Wanna Go Dancin'
02-Rock Around The Clock
03-Let's Make Love Tonight
04-Round & Round & Round
05-Spirits
06-The Little Rock Dancer From Dallas
07-Dance With Me
08-Midnight Fever