Talk about a blast from the past, this special event served the dual purpose of being a benefit for Isaac Guillory's family (Isaac was The Cryan' Shames Bassist from 1967-1970), AND the induction of Jim "J.C. Hooke" Pilster's hook into The Hard Rock Cafe's Wall Of History. Photographs of Isaac and his family were displayed through out the concert area among the silent auction items.

Fred Bohlander, The Cryan' Shames' first manager (the Sugar & Spice album is dedicated to him) flew in and was at the show, and Bob Sirott from Magic 104.3 FM/WJMK radio was the night's Emcee. This was proudly proclaimed on the band time schedules which Jim Pilster handed out while circulating among the audience.

As Jim Pilster predicted, it proved to be a Magical Happening!. The Hard Rock Cafe's staff was the most gracious that we have ever encountered and their food was great. We really received the VIP treatment from them.

Dispersed among the growing crowd were members of the Very Best of Chicago's Gold which were to perform tonight, and comprised of: The Buckinghams, The Ides' Of March, The New Colony Six, Ronnie Rice, The Shadows Of Knight, The Mauds, The Flock, and of course The Cryan' Shames - both past and present members!. Jim Pilster got everyone's attention with a powerful driving rendition of "Just Another Hook On The Wall', a variation of the now famous Pink Floyd song. The big unveiling came of the framed Gold Jacket, Best Of The Cryan’ Shames album, and his Hook. Jimmy explained that the hook was made in Pipers Alley in Old Town, Chicago, and used through out the Cryan’ Shames late 1960’s and early 1970’s hey day.

The Cryan' Shames pulled off the opening set to perfection with Alan Dawson (drummer on the Synthesis album) playing drums for "Greenburg, Glickstein, Charles, David Smith, and Jones", And Gerry Stone "Stonehenge" on "If I Needed Someone". As Tom Doody proudly announced to the crowd, Gerry was the founder of The Cryan' Shames.

Chuck Soumar and Larry Millis from The Ides' Of March next joined the Shames to perform "L.A. Goodbye", and to everyone's surprise and pleasure, The Buckingham's horn section was added!. This Chicago Gold Band Mix was Awesome!, and it exemplified the versatility of these fine musicians that were performing tonight.

Bob Stroud from 97.1 FM/WDRV radio joined this super combo for the “Vehicle” vocal. At this point the audience had already received their money’s worth!

Gerry Stone ‘Stonehenge” next joined the Cryan’ Shames for “I Wanna Meet You”. Gerry, as he explained to us earlier, wasn’t doing anything with music except enjoying it –That was to change tonight!!. “Up On The Roof” followed with Tom Doody “Toad” dedicating it to Isaac Guillory, the focus of tonight’s benefit. Tom did his usual slow moving intro. which gradually built to a cappella harmony. This was going to be a night to remember.

"My parents never gave me a brother (we had a wonderful family...), but God did. Isaac Guillory was the closest thing I could ever have had to a brother, and more than anyone, he empowered me to continue in my exploration of original and unique works. I'm pleased to play here tonight with his dear friend and mine, Johnse Holt, who we both made so much music with.

It was the contributions of special people like Isaac and David Purple, both now passed, that made the Shames a special band.

...but this evening is not only about what has passed. it's also a time to give my friend JC HOOKE his props...as a bandleader, and as a musician...so let's hear it for Jimmy...and let's rock on!..."
jf/.hard rock

James started with a long guitar intro. while being joined by The Cryan’ Shames. James sang the vocal intro. for “It Could Be We’re In Love” which was complimented by the Shames’ musicians Ron Brandt, Jeff and Tim Rutter, Paul Wood, Larry Coveny, Rocky Penn, Tom Doody, and Jim “Just another hook on the wall” Pilster.

Ronnie “It’s not a concert, it’s a party” Rice next rocked us with a set of oldies from the 50’s and 60’s, and was joined by the New Colony Six. While Ronnie performed, we talked back stage with Carl Giammarese , Tommy Scheckel and Bob Abrams from The Buckinghams, who released their new CD “Terra Firma”. The New Colony Six totally blew us away with their set, and Tom Doody later commented that The Colony was really at it’s finest for this concert. Ray Graffia later gave us a spontaneous “Stump the Shames Home Page - Trivia Rock Test” which was accompanied with clock ticking sound effects. After receiving additional clues from Ray (and his autograph on our Colony CD "At The River's Edge"), we finally gave the correct answer. Ray said that Sundazed was going to release another Colony CD soon.

The New Colony Six performed “You’re Gonna Be Mine”, with Bob Stroud . Their set included:”I Will Always Think About You”, ” Cadillac”, “I Will Always Love You”, “Things I’d Like To Say”, and “I Confess”. We did brief interviews with Gerry Stone, and Jimy Rogers of The Mauds while The Colony performed. Jimy Rogers had a new Mauds line up with new keyboards and a super tight horn section.

Jimy Sohns and The Shadows Of Knight were up next and they were joined by our own Jeff Rutter and Paul Wood. Their set included: “Born To Be Wild”, “It’s All right Now”, “Dark side” , and “Gloria”.
Jimy put on a great show!

Man, we gotta find a way to bottle his powerful energy…what a performer!. They were fantastic! , And they really rocked the place. Jimy’s great set included “Soul Drippin’”, and “Mustang Sally”. Jimy’s band was T-I-G-H-T !. The next surprise followed with New Colony Six member Mark Eskin, and Cryan’ Shames members Paul Wood, Ron Brandt, Jim Pilster, and Tim Rutter joining The Mauds for “B’Ginnings”. This super set culminated with “Soul Sacrifice”, a Santana cover that the Shames excel at.

After the concert Jim Pilster, and Alan Dawson autographed The Cryan’ Shames albums for fans. A late party in “Tall Craig’s” room (who was a former Shames road crew member) at The River North Hotel followed with our very own Shameless Girls (1-2-3 & Lil) and Jimmy Pilster and Paul Wood where surprising James Fairs in his room (at 4a.m.*SMILE*) was briefly discussed.
The Shameless girls want to know “What happened to Rocky?”.

Another Scratch In The Sky

The next day at breakfast with James Fairs, Tom Doody and Jim Pilster, Tom commented how The Cryan’ Shames had made a complete circle with the brief reunion of their original band members during this now memorable concert which will be an integral part of The Cryan’ Shames’ History. Yes, though mostly unspoken, everyone was sad to see this Golden Event reach it’s culmination…But if we have learned anything through all of this, Anything is possible, and this was only Another Scratch In The Sky.

The sadness in part was due to the long past portion of our lives that the preceding night’s concert represented. A kinder, gentler time of youth, innocence, and vigor… A frozen moment in time which was briefly recaptured by everyone present, and comprised of memories long ago stored that were replayed along with the music. This is also what our Evening With Chicago’s Gold was all about!.

Jim Pilster’s premonition of this evening with Chicago’s Gold also proved to be true…. It was a Magic Night long to be remembered by everyone.

The concert was a sell – out, and a 100% success ! with fans traveling from as far away as Florida, Texas, Colorado, New York, and California to attend tonight. Lenny Kerley and Dennis Conroy sent their regrets on not being able to attend tonight. Dennis was still recovering from his heart surgery, and Lenny had a recording session in progress.

A Thank You From Jim Pilster:

"I was beginning to think you didn't make it home! Good to see you did. I want to thank you for all the hard work you guys did. It couldn't have come off without you. Maybe you could mention that anyone that couldn't make it to the show or still wanted to make a donation to the fund, could send it to the I.G.F.F. @ PO box # 186, Downers Grove, IL. 60515-0186. I will leave the account open for as long as needed. I called Isaac's wife, Vicky, finally yesterday to tell her how thing went. She said that when I originally approached her w/ the idea of the benefit and asked her to come over for it, she thought she just wouldn't be able to bear it. She said that on Thurs. night she was sorry she hadn't gone.......she could feel all the love being generated thousands of miles away. She told me it was really weird that I had called at that time as it was Isaac's 55th birthday and I think she needed a little propping up. I hope I can fully express my thanks to everyone that help produce the event and thank everyone; the audience, The Hard Rock, and all the musicians, especially our guy's for leaving the ego's in the parking lot and just playing and having fun.
THANKS!"
jimmy

"I only knew Isaac closely for a few years in the late 1960's and early 1970's, yet I can still picture his smiling face. He truly loved music and always put so much time and thought into his music playing and composing.

We used to go car racing around together, me and my gray 1967 Mustang, and Isaac in his MGB-GT car. It was an all yellow sports car...he loved it!. Traveling together in close quarters around the country, playing music for sometimes weeks at a time, you get to know people pretty well. I remember Isaac well, and still think of him from time to time.

I can't remember every being at odds with him, and was glad to see that he continued to pursue his dream of music. I'm sure that he was a very good partner and father. He always had a zest and passion for life. Isaac's music life force and spirit shall live on always.

I wish all the best for you and yours. I know that Isaac lives in our hearts always.

Love,"
Dennis Conroy,
Drummer for The Cryan' Shames

"..To everyone who supported the night at the Hard Rock Cafe ...I 've spent a long time trying to think of what to say to you all.....first of all thank you to everyone who made it happen...and you already know who they are !!! but especially to Jim Pilster for sharing his evening with Isaac....I know that Isaac will have been there with you all and being as humble as he was, ( in public!!) ) he will have been wondering what all the fuss was about !!

I have had literally hundreds of e-mails from people who loved my husband and that was strange at first but now it makes me feel good and most of all proud !! Our children Ellie and Jacob were only ages 6 and 2 when they lost their Daddy and although we tallk about him all the time....I've kept lots of things which they can look at when they're older and appreciate what he was to other people and what a special person he was ....not just a fantastic Daddy !!!!

One person who I communicated with a lot was Marlene and I didn't even know she existed til after Isaac died...!! it seems he had an " e-mail life " which I was not party to, due to my own technophobia which was quickly overcome in January 2001 when I realised that in order to keep his CDs available to people I had to touch the dreaded computer !!! being in touch with people from his past is very comforting because although he knew I would not be alone..... I wonder if he expected me to make new friends....from old !! which I have !! he knows of course.............his love comes from all quarters.

I feel so lucky that he made so many good friends during his life and that he made such an impression on people ......of course he made quite an impression on me when I was only 17yrs old when I first saw him and heard him play at a local folk club !!!! We had to wait 10 yrs to get together and then had 13 years which were only too short !! Isaac was very resiliant and even during his illness he was characterisically up-beat and brave..I know this sounds corny but he really was...we were together as a family for almost every day of the 9 months we had after his diagnosis and he died with us, in our house as he wanted to.