Photo: Nick Ara, Bitter End Cafe, NYC, August 1972
"The time to live is now"
It's probably accurate to say that Buzzy and I go back to 1971. Problem is, until 2002, we were out of touch with one another for about 25 years. I had completely lost touch with his whereabouts, and it was only when Don Celenza told me he was performing with Buzzy at the Triad in NYC did we finally have a chance to reunite. Buzzy had been suffering from Glaucoma and was nearly sightless. I walked up to him during a break and asked "Hey Buzz, how ya doin...it's been along time". Without turning around to face me he stared straight ahead and said: "Nick Ara....how the heck are you?" After the show we talked for quite a while trying to pick up on the lost time. He asked about my former fiance, the late Susan B, and other people we knew in common. I've since appeared on stage with Buzzy here in NYC and some of the photos from those gigs are included below. Buzzy lives on the west coast so we don't see each other all that often but we speak quite frequently, often for hours at a time. Thankfully quite a bit of his classic material from the '70's has be reissued.
To learn more, check out Buzzy's website.
There are loads of YouTube clips along with performances of his music by Cher, Bette, John Sebastian and samples of Buzzy's vibes performance on Jimi Hendrix's song Drifting from the Cry of Love album.
Friends (B. Linhart, M. Klingman)
Friends is Bette Midler's theme song and since 1972, has been covered by countless performers, most recently in the movie Shrek. Apart from the great lyric and joyous tempo, to me, it was the late Bill Takas' wonderful bass part that really stood out. I learned it note for note in 1972 and finally played it with Buzzy on stage in 2004.
The following images have been compiled since 1972. The latest ones appear first.
Post-show with Buzzy, Turning Point Cafe, Piermont, NY. July 2006
Post-show with Buzzy's drummer Luther Rix, Cutting Room, NYC, June 2006
Phoebe Snow and Buzzy, Cutting Room, NYC, June 2006
Don Celenza and Buzzy at Back Street Blues, Rockville Centre, NY. June 2004.
Rare photo of me singing. From Left: Don Celenza (Jim Satten, hidden) me, unidentified dude, Buzzy. Back Street Blues, Rockville Centre, NY. June 2004.
Buzzy sez: "Sing those notes HIGHER next time"! Back Street Blues, Rockville Centre, NY. June 2004
Buzzy & Crispy Chicken, Triad Lounge, NYC, July 2002
Reunion with Buzzy after 25 years, Triad Lounge, NYC, July 2002
Susan outside Buzzy's show at the "Cafe Wha?", NYC, October 1973.
Buzzy playing vibes, NYC, June 1973.
Susan, with Buzzy. "Banana Fish Park" night club, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Election Day, 1972.
Susan outside the "Bitter End", NYC, May 1972.
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