Well back in Vegas – home again. I’m reflecting on all that has happened in the past week - WOW. The celebration at the Rock HOF will always be something I will cherish for the remainder of my life. Having Smokey Robinson induct us saying “they are my brothers” left me emotionally breathless. I was so touched by his statement and it is still echoing in my head as I write this. I love writing this column but I know that the last few days are marring my concentration. I am trying to stay focused but the Rock HOF was not only a culmination of a lifetime of singing and performing, it was peer-to-peer heaven for me. It was sweet! 

As I mentioned in my acceptance speech, “The Imperials and I now stand on the shoulders of the giants. Without their help and guidance there would be no hope for us. We were snot-nosed teens from Brooklyn and today, over 50 years later we’re on top of the world”.

To hear Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones (and The Faces) say that “Tears On My Pillow” was one of his favorite songs (of all time) was artistically gratifying for me. Once again, to be received and heralded by your peers with so much respect is still, days later, overwhelming and fills me with pride. 

Then our fans too were able to share this with us. The HOF has always been “an industry event” but this year it was opened to a general audience live in concert and broadcast cable. There were over 10,000 people in that auditorium last Saturday night and they gave The Imperials and me a standing ovation. I was moved to tears of pride and joy, man.  

It was almost a perfect evening in every conceivable way with two exceptions. First, I lost track and I did not talk about Tracy Lord, who passed last year. Tracy was an original Imperial and the HOF brought his sons and wife to the awards. I should have said Tracy and I didn’t. I want to document Tracy’s contribution and I pray his wife will forgive my oversight. They say you should be prepared when you accept an award like this and I was. But, Smokey’s comments touched me so much, it threw me off. Tracy should have come out of my mouth. Second, I should have mentioned our publicist, George Dassinger, too. The 50^th anniversary rediscovered us and, over the last 2 years, our popularity is bigger than ever. George has been driving that campaign for us.  

Let me sum it up this way: While I was on the Cleveland Fox TV morning news program and they asked about how I felt about being overlooked/passed over for years by the Rock HOF. I told the hosts about the old Aesop fable of the fox and the grapes saying, “I didn’t want those grapes anyway.” The truth of the matter is I really did want those grapes and I really wish I had said the names “Tracy” and “George”. I meant to but……I’m glad I can set the record straight.

CLEVELAND, A LITTLE ANTHONY THANK YOU 

The HOF production assigned several assistants to help us navigate the rehearsals, down time in the green room and the live performance. They were top notch! They kept telling The Imperials and me that we were easy and fun to work with. Thanks so much for taking such good care of us. I understand some volunteered to work the show for its 3 day schedule just to gain hands-on experience. It’s a good place to start and you were a blessing.    

Then, prior to flying to Cleveland, I have been working out. I have a great trainer, my son but I decided to use heavier weights at an Oregon hotel on the road. I hurt my left shoulder and by last Thursday night at the O’Jays show, the pain was unbearable. I couldn’t even smile it hurt so bad (sorry Teddy). I kept saying to myself, I’m macho and I can deal with the pain. It must have been so evident that my publicist, George Dassinger made arrangements to have a doctor, at the one of the best hospitals in the country, see me right after rehearsals last Friday. 

The doctor, Jesse McCarron, M.D. was another blessing and within an hour’s time he had my arm moving and almost pain-free. This appointment was expedited by Alexandra Boone and Gina Hobbs of GAP Communications, who were hired by the Rock HOF to assist us doing interviews in town. George told Alex of my pain and she pulled some strings and that brought us to the office of Dr. McCarron. I was able to perform Friday night at The Agora flawlessly. In fact, I overdid it and I was a bit sore. Saturday, I was able to move my left arm all the way up and all the way down. That’s all I cared about.  

The Cleveland Clinic is one of the best hospitals in the country and I can vouch for that. Alex, Gina, Dr. McCarron and the staff at CC, thanks again for helping really do “my imperial best” live at The Agora and then, at the Rock HOF concert and induction ceremony. I was treated to the best VIP treatment I’ve ever experienced. I will always remember and appreciate it more than you know. Also Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson deserves a lot of credit here, too and we applaud your efforts to bring the broadcast back live to Cleveland. It was the right thing and 2009 it is a milestone. I thought at some point, years back, that LA&TIs’ induction/recognition might never come true. 2009 was the year it did. Everything happens in God’s time, ya know?  

ROCK HOF REDUX 

I heard from a number of my friends saying they did not know the HOF induction show was being broadcast live to tape last Saturday. A couple even said, “What’s Fuse?” I explained that it is owned by Madison Square Garden and it’s on cable. It was a 4 hour broadcast and for those of you who missed it, it is being re-broadcast this Saturday at 5 PM. I also think they are re-broadcasting it again every weekend this month. YouTube might pick some of the highlights. It’s the best when you work with professionals and this was the best TV production we’ve been involved with since we re-grouped.

Man, I did so many Rock Hall interviews my head is still spinning. I did morning TV, local radio, phone interviews, film crews at the Hall and our hotel. Some interviews included all of us. The guys know I’ll get up early. I enjoy talking about our history and so do Clarence and Ernest. We all talked Crystal Starks/African American Lifestyle Magazine and that should be out in a month or two. 

I did advanced phoners with Bob Ferguson/Call & Post, the Plain Dealer, the Associated Press. Then I did station visits and more phone interviews with WASN Radio, WGAR, WERE-AM. We also had interviews with Fox 8 TV News, “Another Look” TV show, WEWS-TV crew and cleveland.com, Fuse, VH1. There was a whole bunch of them. I’m tired but I’m real happy at the same time.  

I also had the opportunity to meet: David Fricke of Rolling Stone Magazine, Dave Mason of Traffic and (his solo LP) “Alone Together” fame and Gary Graff from United Stations radio. The respect and recognition they all showed “The Imperials and me” was more than an honor. 2009 is the class to be in. This induction year has a distinct importance because it is back in Cleveland – “rock ‘n roll home again”.

THE AGORA BALLROOM 

The Agora Ballroom is a legendary concert venue in Cleveland and we did our whole show there last Friday. We were able to spend a lot of time with its long-time owner, impresario Henry LaConti. He came to our show the month before for the Hospitalized Vets organization. He asked us to play his theater when the HOF event was going on and do a benefit for the Women Of Color Foundation. The place has quite a history. The Agora opened, I believe in 1966 and a lot of rock groups like ZZ Top, Grand Funk Railroad, etc. “established a new audience thanks to Henry”.   

 

Little Anthony and the Imperials at the Agora Theatre

The Imperials and I felt a concert for the WOC charity and open-to-the-people of Cleveland show was a good thing for the all concerned. I was pain-free and we were good too that night. Some nights are better than others, ya know? If you would like to see some of the Agora show, click on cleveland.com site. I saw our opening number posted already and I thought, man that’s fast.  

ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL 

I mentioned earlier in the column about Imperial Tracy Lord but I would also like to acknowledge Sammy Strain and Nate Rogers. Both of them are former Imperials and having them sing again with us, was a gift man. I love those guys and although we talk on the phone regularly, we don’t get to see each other as much as I would like. Nate and Sammy hadn’t performed professionally in years and years but they both stepped up to the plate - knocked one out of the park. Like Paul Simon sings, “it was me and my troops, yeah”.

Nate talked about how proud he was of LA&TIs induction and how his old buddies did not forget him. Sammy, who received his second HOF award, one with us and the other The O’Jays, contributed valued keepsakes from our past to our HOF exhibit. The Little Anthony & The Imperials exhibit in the Rock HOF will keep our induction current. You see what 50 years can do? When I think back, it will always feel as though we were in the right place and the right time -- “ladies and gentlemen, memories are made of this”.  

LAST BUT NOT LEAST – OUR BAND  

Thanks to The Agora performance, we were able to fly in our band and it allowed Paul Shaffer to ask them to join his musicians for the HOF broadcast. For Willie, John, Eric, Dale, and LA&TIs, it is the high point in our musical careers. We talked to everyone to see about getting the band included. We loved having them onstage with us and it gave us the ability to a good show with more assurance. We’ve been through a lot, they give us assurance few musicians can and musically give us the sound and R&B punch we need to do the best concert we’re able to. I tell other acts, don’t go on after us – they’re learnin’.  

DOES OPRAH WATCH FUSE? 

I don’t know if Oprah watched the HOF show or not. I keep on tryin’ though. 

We’d be great on her show and call it shameless promotion if you will. I believe you shoot high in this business and you go for it. First Oprah, and then, The Imperials and I would love to have a Grammy next. We’ll go for who-knows-what after we achieve that. 

METALLICA AND SENATOR KUCINICH, TOO? 

Up until now you would be hard-pressed to use the names Metallica and Congressman Dennis Kucinich in the same sentence right? Well, to show you just how memorable the Rock HOF Induction was we talked with Denis (a Cleveland born and raised) and his lovely wife, Elizabeth. He invited us to come perform in Washington, DC. 

I ran into the Congressman at The Agora and then the next night, at the HOF cocktail reception. Later that night at the House Of Blues, I wound up talking to Lars Ulrich from Metallica. He was telling me my performance was amazing. I was floored. Can you imagine if LA&TIs went into the studio with Metallica – stranger things have happened?  

Also Bootsy Collins was at the next table and he asked if we would join him on the album he is working on. I don’t think that would have happened if we didn’t cross paths – this is where the industry works best – it might be business but it is social, too.  

We’re now voting HOF members and that is the gift that keeps on giving. I first heard the news of our induction on my birthday in early January and now, 4 HOF months later, it is a gift that keeps on giving more and more.