The Comets Summer 2009

 

Original drummer for Bill Haley & the Comets, Octogenerarian Dick Richards Boccelli
lives in Ocean City, and when he's in town, hangs at the 4th Street Cafe
with Jody Marks Cigars Kish, and has breakfast at Bayshores II in Somers Point with
Fred Prinz and friends.

I remember in the 70s, John Dean told me about Dick and then introduced us.

The Comets got together for a Dick Clark American Bandstand revival TV show,
and I brought them back to Ocean City to play the Flanders 75th anniversary with
Charlie Gracie, Mike Pedicin, Sr., Robert Hazard and DJ Michael Tearson.

They also played the Bubba Mac Shack at the Point five years in a row around Labor Day, and toured Europe every year, playing before tens of thousands at music festivals, where the fans really know the difference between the original acts and cover bands.

Now they have a regular gig at Dick Clark's Rock & Roll Theater in Branson, Missouri, in the Heart of America, and recently played a show at the Mohegan casino with other classic acts.

The Bowzer was the leader of Sha Na Na, the oldies show that played Woodstock.

Here's Marshall's report from that show:

Dear Friends,
Jimmy Jay, and his BW, Joanne.
brought this beautiful cake, with the title of my new book,
"Still ROCKIN AROUND THE CLOCK."

The Bowzer Rock & Roll Party at The Mohegen Sun was a BIG SUCCESS
with about 8,000 people loving every minute of the over 3 hour show.

After Bowzers opening, the crowd was Rockin to the FABULAS Charlie Gracie, Philadelphia's 1st Rock-n-Roller.

Bowzer then introduced The Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson
who took control and told that crowd Let's Have A Party.

Then Came the Fantastic Joey Dee with The Soul Survivors,
they really hit a home run with Shout.
Then BOWZER Amazed the Audience with his Piano Solo.

Next Came,
Bowzer and The STINGRAYS. They hit a home run with every song
like Hand Jive, and their Dance Contest is always a big hit.

Then Lesley Gore, was a Big Hit with It's my Party and
I'll Cry if I Want To. Closing 1st Half of the Show.

INTERMISSION
2nd Half starts with Bowzer introducing the big talents of SAM THE SHAM,
The WOOLEY BULLY MAN, is always a hit with the crowd.

Then it was our turn, and Bowzer, gave us a great introduction,
telling our ages Joey 75, Marshall 76,(Sept.1st) and Dick 85.
We did SHAKE- ALLIGATOR- RATC- and Dick's Drum Solo w/the Bass
antic's was a BIG HIT.

The Bowzer introduced the wonderful talents of LOU CHRISTIE,
who closed the 2nd half with his great Hits.

BOWZER does his GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART.
And the crowd was VERY HAPPY.

I LOVE YOU ALL
Marshall