What do you do on a cold January Saturday night in New Jersey? Of course, you head for the shore to see Sam The Band! These pics were taken at the old Chatterbox Bar on the boardwalk in Seaside, in 1980. It may have been cold along the beach, but it was very hot inside!

Dennis and photographer Sue

Dennis was a naturally funny guy. He would somehow manage to get the band to start playing "The Unicorn Song" by the Irish Rovers and then would sing a few verses in Polish! 

Sam The Band 

l to r: Jack Lesley, Ernie White, Bernie Dippolito (in Spaceman costume), Dennis Carmella, George Evers

(notice the girl in the front popping Bernie the finger! What's up with that! HA!)

George

"How many of you came out to rock and roll with Sam The Band tooonite? How many? HOW MANNNY?

Jack

l to r: Sam's soundman Joe "Chumley" Chis, Bernie & Wind's lightman Phil McAulliff 

Besides being a great rock and roll band to listen and dance to, they were also a fun band to watch. They would sometimes include original songs that featured offbeat characters (always played by Bernie) to their show. At left is Lenny, the boy who wouldn't stop playing his guitar. He was always in need of his medication: "Take one of these..take one of these..Bird in the clock..bird in the clock..koo-koo..koo-koo!"

I've heard that in their earlier days, they would have films of cartoons projected on the back of the stage while they played. One of them once commented, they were the only band that would go from playing "Mellow Yellow" right into "Iron Man". 

Below and right, Bernie as Kenny The Night Caller "The night caller is on the loose, pick up the phone and he will seduce you!"