IDES OF MARCH

Did those 4 unassuming young boys in a Berwyn, IL (just outside of Chicago) Shopping Center lot ever think that after nearly 46 years, they would still be together?

Originally introduced as the Shon Dels they quickly became known as The Ides of March.
The winning combination: start with four high school boys, a blue collar suburb, a basement band , a great mix of music and talent. Their only goal, just impress the girls.

Now, the proof. Forty-six years later, the Ides of March “hit the street permanently“.

Berwyn renamed Home Street.
Jim Peterik recalls: “ I used to walk down that very street to school. I never thought in a million years that it would one day be named “The Ides of March Way”.


Plus all of the original members are still active in the band. Jim Peterik, Mike Borch, Bob Bergland, Larry Millas and four others added over the years (Chuck Soumar, John Larson, Scott May and Dave Stahlberg) equal the talent behind some great, and very recognizable hits: “L.A. Goodbye”, “Vehicle” and “You Wouldn’t Listen”.

Peterik took his talent one step further and co-wrote another memorable hit for Sylvester Stallone and the film “Rocky III”, “Eye of the Tiger”, while he was in the band Survivor, which he co-founded.

One thing for sure, good music as well as good bands stand the test of time and are always on air at Our Generation Radio. As they say, Don’t touch that dial!

Ciao for Now, Winnie!!

George Weiss

Famous for co-writing numerous songs including “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “What A Wonderful World”, and “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. ….George David Weiss, 89, has died.

Radio, TV and even Broadway were his media and audiences loved his music, including these recorded by famous singers.....
"Lullaby of Birdland" Ella Fitzgerald
" Surrender” Perry Como
“Oh! What It Seemed to Be”,Frank Sinatra
“Confess” Patti Page
“Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr
“That Sunday, That Summer” Nat King Cole

Perhaps the most legendary story revolves around “Cant Help Falling In Love” written for Elvis’ movie “Blue Hawaii” when new songs were being sought for the film.

Weiss recalled how it happened. Presley’s publishers “Passed out scripts to the 15-20 songwriters and said ‘If you get into the picture, good, if you don’t to damn bad’.

When they heard “Can’t Help Falling in Love” there was a 20 second silence and then one of them said, slowly, “That’s nice, but we want another ‘Hound Dog’. Just proves that even the experts can be wrong.

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” was such a huge hit for Elvis that it became the trademark closing song for many of his stage performances. I can attest to that. I was privileged to see one of his last live performances a few weeks before he died. He truly captured the heart of every female in the audience.

Weiss is also credited with the 1961 song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and The Tokens took it to No. 1.

Odd that a song based on a 1939 South African song “Mbude” (Zulu for lion)would resurrect years later. Weiss began thinking about it and came up with the notion that the lion was sleeping and nobody had to worry, so he incorporated that chant into the song and changed some melodies. Proof that all things old are new again.

Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” was a team effort with Bob Thiele, and recorded in 1967. Later featured in the 1987 Robin Williams movie “Good Morning Vietnam”. A song and movie that both attained classic status and took another turn perhaps as the unofficial theme song for saving the planet.

Here’s to George whose love for music made this a “wonderful world” for this and future generations of OGR-ers.

A Safe and Happy Labor Day to all.
Winnie!!!