Alive N Kickin'
Alive N Kickin’ (known originally as Alive and Kicking, and sometimes spelled Alive 'N Kickin’) is a Brooklyn band, led by singers Pepe Cardona and Sandy Toder, known mainly for their 1970 hit single "Tighter, Tighter" which reached number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Formation
The band originally formed in 1968 in the basement of the original guitarist Dave Shearer, when they were teenagers. The original members of the band included Sandy Toder and Pepe Cardona (vocals) Bruce Sudano (keyboards), Rich Luisi aka Woody Wilson (bass guitar), Dave Shearer (guitar), and Vito Albano on drums. They gained some popularity when they began recording for Tommy James on the label he was signed to, Roulette Records.
"Tighter, Tighter"
In early 1970 the band began recording sessions. A song written and produced by Tommy James, Bob King and arranged by Jimmy Wisner was to be recorded, and although James originally considered having his friends record the song - now known as "Crystal Blue Persuasion" - but he liked it so much he decided to record it himself. As a gesture of friendship to the group he wrote "Tighter, Tighter" for them. After recording the hit song the group replaced Vito and Dave with Ronny Pell and Johnny Parisio. With the new line-up "Tighter, Tighter" was released.[1]
The song was released in May 1970 and stayed on the US chart for 16 weeks.[1] It sold over one million copies and received a gold disc awarded by the R.I.A.A.[1]
Two singles were almost immediately released to ride on the good fortune of the hit song, but after a lack of success with "Just Let It Come" and "London Bridge", and after increasing difficulties with their producer Morris Levy and the label's insistence on trying to make more singles so quickly, the band quietly broke up in the fall of 1971.
Reunited
Most of the group reunited in 1976 with a line-up that now included Cardona (vocals), Wilson (lead guitar), Shearer (rhythm guitar), Albano (drums), and new member Richie Incorvaia (bass). This new version of the band played throughout the tri-state area from the mid-1970s till the late 1980s as one of the premier dance, party, and show bands in the region. Today the band has a new and revised line-up once more, although Cardona and Parisio have remained a constant presence within the band. They are still active, specializing in parties and weddings. Wilson, Albano, and Shearer are no longer members of the band, and Incorvaia has died.[2]
Discography
Singles
| Year | Title | US | Record Label | B-side | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | "Tighter, Tighter" | 7 | Roulette Records | "Sunday Morning" | Alive N Kickin |
| "Just Let It Come" | 69 | Roulette Records | "Mother Carey's Chicken" | ||
| 1971 | "Good Ole Lovin' Back Home" | — | Roulette Records | "Junction Creek" | |
| "London Bridge" | — | Roulette Records | "You Gave Me Something" |
Albums
| Year | Title | US | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Alive N Kickin | 129 | Roulette Records |