Tony March
Struthers (Youngstown), 1950-1980s
Tony March was a giant in the Youngstown music scene. He owned Tammy records, manager several artists, ran a record store, produced concerts, just about anything that had to do with local music, Tony was there.
He was born Tony Marchionda in 1926, an after having served in World War II, returned home and ran a couple businesses while playing in bands. He started as a jazz guitarist and singer. When R&B and rock-n-roll became poular, he moved to that style.
Tony and his band recorded their first 45 in Cleveland, the original songs "Cousin Rocken Roll Blues" and "Stompen Rock", with the stylized spelling. "Stompen Rock" was the original B side but became the local hit. The song is not quite the all out rockin' blaster, even has a little bit of European feel to it. The record was issued on Tony's own Savoy label, which had to be renamed because of conflict to Tammy records. Some copies of the Savoy record have a hand-written change to Tammy.
The record got the attention of a Cleveland DJ who pitched the record to Chess/Checker. Tony re-recorded the songs with more rock-n-roll feel, including adding a sax. The players were credited as members of Mike Roncone's band. The record was released on Checker.
A few months later Tony released another 45, the second release on Tammy. Both sides were instrumentals and were stronger than the Checker 45. The record is credited to Tony and Bill David's Rockets. The original 1958 release does not have a silver edge to the record label. In th mid 1960s, bue to demand from the Pittsburgh dance scene, the record was re-released on the Tammy label with a silver edge on the label. The recording is a different take with a more prominent sax (probably Rockets member Rich Valley).
Tony recorded one more rock-n-roll record in 1959, the semi-novelty "Boston Bake Bean Baby". The sound was more like the original recording of "Stompen Rock" with the strummed guitars and pop-styled vocals. The other side of the record was "Italian Martians", a novelty using the Chipmunks vocal effects for the 'martains'. This novelty style with a nod to Tony's Italian ancestry was the way forward for Tony's future recordings on Tammy.
Tony recorded some 45s in the 1970s under the names of the We-The People, Paisano Quartet, Floyd and the Little Soul Sisters, and Big Bruno and his Black Belt Band. He played out on occasion, along with some of his many musical friends. Most of his work in the 1960s and later was behind the scenes.
Tony also contributed to some other Tammy recordings. He plays guitar on the Alberto Combo "Green Monster" and other recordings by them. He is heard on the Johnny Blue 45 and is the leader of the backing band for the Monorays 45. The Ali-Baba and the Thieves 45 is credited to him and probably the same pool of musicians.
There was a lot of crossover between Tony, Mike Roncone's band, Bill David's Rockets, and Del Sinchak's band. All these bands shared gigs and members during the late 1950s and early 1960s before the next wave of teen bands took over.
Discography:
Cousin Rocken Roll Blues / Stompen Rock - Savoy 601, Feb 1958
Cousin Rockin' Roll Blues / Stompen Rock - Checker 887, Mar 1958 (different recordings)
Show Down / It's Never Too Late - Tammy 1003, Oct 1958
(Pasquale and Luigi with Tony) - Italian Martians / (Tony March) - Boston Bake Bean Baby - Tammy 1007, 1959