For those closet accordion players and the "purest" Art Van Damn types among us, I just learned from a friend that Tony Lovello, one of the Three Sons gigged at a restaurant, oddly enough called the Three Suns Bistro here in Lexington last week-end.


For years, Tony was the General Manager of the Campbell House, where I played B-3 with the house band. He would organize elaborate floor shows, with him in his traditional "puffy shirt" as the lead performer.

Tony was the one who got me into arrangers. He was a demonstrator for Petosa Music. Joe Petosa and his family ran a well-known accordian center in Seattle. Tony played midi accordion using an early Solton module. Joe came to Kentucky and demonstrated an MS-60. I bought it on the spot and, later, ordered a back-up. And the rest, as they say, is history!

The accordion is not my cup of tea, but a real piece of pop music history. Hurray for Tony, who's still "doing his thing" as he approaches 80 years old. His brother, Sam was the producer of Hee Haw. Tony appeared once on that show, which was STRANGE!

I'll have to check his hours next time he's doing this new job and see if I can catch a few minutes on one of my short nights, out of respect.

Look him up if you're not familiar with him.

The Three Sons played refreshing, somewhat complex, cool stuff for the time and market.

Sorry for the ramble...

Sentimental old Russ

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The accordion is not my cup of tea, !

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Hi Russ

The accordion is my first instrument and I have had to battle all my life to have it appreciated. Yes the accordion has got a dodgy reputation which is mainly due it being badly played a lot of the time. I love Art Van Damme's jazz style but my real favourite style of playing is French musette I also like latin, tangos etc.

Check this video, maybe the accordion might have a better image if it was by young ladies like this one
Just a plug for my beloved accordion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtoXQ8nOuKk&feature=related

Frank

Oh wow, talk about information overload! As I read through your post, Russ, I read "Three Stooges." So, I was pretty fired up about one of the Three Stooges being alive. First I thought, wow, that guy must be old! And wondered which one it would be.

Finally figured out it was not the Three Stooges.

I have no idea who the Three Sons are, but, hey, that doesn't mean much.

Always willing to expand my horizons. Right now, listening to my latest Bob Dylan CD acquisition that I got in the mail today, "Infidels," produced by Mark Knopfler. Sounds great, Dylan was pumped when he made this record!

Bill, I think you have had enough to drink tonight Just kidding lol

1,2,3,4 nyuck nyuck nyuck ..... wise guy !!!!

Nice post Russ,

Tony Lovello performed at the National Accordion Convention in Dallas in March of last year. I notice that he is not on the bill for this year.

Even if you don't care for the accordion, this guy is a SHOWMAN. Not much more than 5 feet tall, in his late 70s he comes strolling, dancing and swinging down the isle, with 30 pounds of accordion strapped on, playing one of his signature songs, "Twilight Time," or "Malaguena" and talkiing to the audience at the same time. A grreat performer!

The Three Suns

This song was the theme song for my very first band - "The Twilighters" ... WAY back in the day ...

My favorite was Art Van Damme ... the cat could SWING !!!
BTW ... accordion IS my first love ...