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The
Illusion (with Richie Cerniglia, Mike Maniscalco, Mike Ricciardella
and John Vinci) released three albums on Jeff Barry's Steed
Label and one hit single, "Did You See Her Eyes/Run Run Run"
(Steed 717,1969).
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As a
child, Mike Ricciardella had a goal, "Every night at five o'clock,
I used to get my drums... rather, my mother's pots and pans, lids--anything--and
sit and wait for Cubby. I played along with him. Here was a kid, although
a Mickey Mouseketeer and a star, but a kid like me, playing drums.
I had to do that. That's all I ever wanted to do."
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image
"The
Illusion was from Long Island and we let everyone know that. The city
was good for us but our crowd was Long Island. The Action House was
our home. It was the best house to play. We were always hot there.
Our best gig to me was when we opened for Sly And The Family Stone.
That was a great night. We gave the people everything and then some.
We used to have a part of our set called "The '56 Show" where we did
oldies. We had fun with this and we even threw in some choreography.
I know, I mean I'm almost certain, that Sha Na Na saw our act before
they hit. When they did start to make it big, we pulled "The '56 Show"
and wrote some new stuff."
Follow-up:
On 10/23/99, Mickael Unold wrote, "Chuck Alder is now part of Vince
Martell's band and plays on a few cuts of his new CD. Along
with Chuck, John Vinci and Rich Cerniglia guest.
Follow-up:
On 4/03/99, DonH wrote, "Great site! (except that you left out 'The
Melting 5' :-).) The Illusion's bass player's last name is Alder.
Chuck Alder (a truly beautiful person, btw)" Thanks, Don. Nick will
be thrilled. I love the Internet!
Editor's
Note: On 1/21/99, NickD wrote, "Hi Rich, you left out
The Illusions bassist "Chuck" (cant recall last name) super guy, I
rodied for them a short time." Sorry, Nick. Anybody know Chuck's last
name?
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©
Richard Arfin 1987 Revised 2004 All Rights Reserved
The
Illusion