Dave Mankes is a man in his sixties with a few goals left in life.
The popular five-man group regularly plays in the Villages arena. They were in the early sixties on a recent, hot evening in Brownwood Paddock Square.
Paisley Craze has a sense of unity and appreciation of the sound of a sixties generation that left an indelible mark on popular music around the world.
“These guys are like brothers to me,” said lead singer Donna Lamoureaux. “We believe in this music.” The band consists of Bob Dielman on guitar; Marty Bednar, bass and Bob Lunergan on drums.
Their set list features sixty chestnuts such as: “Green River,” by CCR; “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone,” the Monkees; “Born to be Wild,” by Steppenwolf; “Love Him,” the Door; “All Day and All Night,” the Kinks; “Tumbling Dice,” Rolling Stones; “Birthday,” the Beatles; “Sunshine of Your Love,” by Cream and “To Sir With Love,” by Lulu.
That’s enough to warm any baby boomer’s heart.
“The short guys are very deep in this music,” Bednar said. “They grew up in a musical culture. Sixties music is part of their DNA.
Dave Mankes is part of that culture. He has been playing in rock bands since his teenage years and in the Seventies, played in one of the most popular oldies bands in the east, Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps. That Buffalo band was led by the late Chuck “Big Wheelie”. Vicar. “I learned a lot about show business and how to work on stage from Chuck,” Mankes said. “He taught the band what it means to put on a show.”
The essence of Paisley Craze’s show is the music.
“This music has survived because of its good music and is still important,” Mankes said. “People remember these songs and they’re still important to them.” Back in 2019 – before Covid – the band did a national tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Woodstock music festival. . “We really enjoyed it. We played everywhere from Texas to Ohio. The audience was great.” The same is true for responding to Communities. “People here have a lot of love for this music and they feel a real connection to it,” Mankes said. Sixties songs convey a lot of emotions. When Lamoureaux sings soft songs, like “Hurt So Bad,” or “To Sir With Love,” you can almost feel the sadness.” Lamoureaux is a soul sister at heart. “I like soul music,” he said. “To me, Aretha Franklin is the best.” Lamoureaux can feel Franklin’s spirit when he sings, “Chain Of Fools.” “I think of Aretha every time I sing that song,” he said. “It’s special to me.”
And for Paisley Craze – and the generation they love – their music never gets old.
Tony Violanti covers art and music for Villages-News.com. He was inducted into the Buffalo NY Music Hall of Fame as a music composer.
