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April 29,
2003 The Hope Concert:
Norman Nardini jammed his heart out in New Jersey this
past Tuesday as the opening act for John Bon Jovi, Bruce
Springsteen, Gary U.S. Bonds, South Side Johnny and
Bobby Bandiera! He kicked all ass!
Jon Bon Jovi, Norm's good
friend since the early 80's called and asked him to
come. He brought Whitey Cooper his drummer/backup
vocalist along to The Count Basie Theatre which was
completely sold out to 1200 seats. I tried to buy
tickets online but they were going for $1350-$2800 per
seat by the scalpers! Ouch!
Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce
stood at the side of the stage watching Norm as he
electrified the audience with his usual sense of humor
talking about his name being "Norman Roosevelt Aloysius
Nicodemus Amadeus Valentino Giovanni Nardini", got the
audience in an uproar from the front to the back of the
concert hall, including Al & Tipper Gore in front row.
Then he ripped into a searing rendition of Bob Dylan's
"I Shall Be Released" fortified by a heart pounding
guitar solo that taught New Jersey music lovers what
Pittsburgh is all about! We are so proud of him!
See reviews here
April 26,
2003 - Pittsburgh Pennsyltucky- Excuses, South Side:
This was a special night. Whitey Cooper, Norm's
drummer/backup vocalist had to attend a family wedding
so they brought "George the Greek" in to play drums and
Chizmo Charles in to front the band singing. It was a
magic night. George really clicked and pounded those
skins like a champ and Chizmo belted out the blues like
the true blues legend that he is! Incidentally, Chizmo
did a gig for 4 hours before he came to gig with Norm!
He must have just did the first gig to warm up because
he was on fire. He had the ladies blushing and cooing,
with all the men sitting in awe. It was a great night!
They played till ten after 2am and pissed off George,
the owner of Excuses. ;-) By the way, George is "THE
MAN" in South Side Pittsburgh! :-))))
Notables in attendance: George, Sandy, Maria, the
girl in handcuffs and wedding veil on her bachlorette
night before the wedding and her troops.
April
11th - Cleveland - Beachland Ballroom Tavern:
Opening act The Balls of Fire from Cleveland. featuring
Jack Snyder and old friend of Normans from the 80's.
They did a great set of "punkabilly"? Norman came out
and played 2 hours straight and by the way, Mike Pella
filmed the whole thing for using it in the upcoming
rockumentary about Norman Nardini's life and times. More
on that later. Cleveland rocks!
Notables in attendance: Tommy Nardini, Kim
Farainachi & Mike, Katherine, Dave & Dawn, J.D., Brian,
Dawn Grandstaff
April 5, 2003 Erie, PA - Goofies Bar:
Norman and band jammed the night away with
Jake's Blues opening the show. Jake was kickin' ass
that night! Then Norm came up and had a great set.
Afterwards, Jake came up with Norm and they got down for
the last half hour together. The night somehow ended up
with Whitey Cooper singing "I Got My Mojo Workin" with
"George The Greek" on drums. Two of Western PA's best
bar bands on the same night! "The Pennsylvania Plow Boy"
and "The Manful handful". Whew!
Notables in attendance: Moondog |