The Jaggerz remember old-time rock and roll
From the "Club Naturale" in Beaver Falls, Pa., to Dick Clark's American Bandstand, the homegrown band The Jaggerz paved their way to success.
After band member Jimmie Ross left to join the Skyliners in 1975, the Jaggerz disbanded.
More recently, Ross, along with three other original band members, revived the group earlier this year and released a CD of old Jaggerz favorites, as well as some new tunes.
The Mon Valley will get to hear the Jaggerz when the legendary band performs at the Monessen Elks Saturday at 9:30 p.m.
Among the band's accolades, the Jaggerz in 1970 received a gold record for having the number one song in the country.
Five years after the band formed, it was hard to escape "The Rapper" with its infectious, perky rhythms and smooth, almost bluesy vocal harmonics.
With sales exceeding 5 million copies, "The Rapper" found itself being blasted all over the country.
Today, it can still be heard over radio airwaves.
Not only have The Jaggerz performed with such great artists as The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Dells, Tommy James, B.J. Thomas and many more, but the group can also be accredited with four record albums.
One of these albums was performed by special request with radio celebrity Wolfman Jack.
Moreover, the group has five single releases including the million-plus seller "The Rapper."
Today, the legend of The Jaggerz lives on as the band continues to perform.
Lead singer Jimmie Ross says, "With the nostalgia craze sweeping the country, we decided to regroup and do it again!"
And doing it again they are. The Jaggerz returned to their roots in "98" with a new CD of rhythm and blues. Their new CD titled, "Re-Rapped by Request" is includes songs filled with rhythm and blues tinged rock.
Ross is the group's lead vocalist and bass player. Other bandmates include Eugene "Benny" Faiella on guitar and background vocals; Jim "Pugs" Pugliano on drums and background vocals; Dennis McAbee, guitar; Hermie Granati on keyboards, string and horn synthesizers, lead and background vocals and orchestrations; Jamie Peck is on saxophone; and David Granati on guitar.
The Jaggerz were also recently honored as several Pennsylvania rock and roll bands from the '50s and '60s to be featured in an upcoming permanent exhibition at The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.
Memorabilia from the Jaggerz' career, including a band outfit from the late '60s and early film footage of the group's appearances at Club Naturale in Beaver Falls, will be on display in the exhibition.
Also included in that section will be memorabilia from other popular Pennsylvania rock and roll acts, including Pittsburgh's Vogues, Harrisburg's Magnificent Men, and a special display devoted to the American Bandstand, the popular Philadelphia-based dance show.
