Do to the many many e-mail's I get over the years from many of you that visit my web site requesting information about my past life in the music business and night life from the 1960's though the 1980's. I'm happy to say that I have found in my archive photo books of my past younger, music and night life days. Enjoy! (You can always e-mail me at info@BillyAmato.com)
1962 ~~ It all started here... Pelham Manor, New York - Halloween 1962. I was 17yo and built this strawman in my front yard and made the local newspapers (Pelham Sun) front page. With thanks to my brother Johnny and sister Susie for ripping off the pumpkins from our neighbors near by yards.
"When I was seventeen. It was a very good year. It was a very good year for a small town rich boy from Pelham Manor, New York".........
1964 - 1969 The Young Rascals
It was all about the rock band "The Rascals". I know I was young... but smart! The reprints below are from the world famous "16 Magazine" the #1 teen magazine in the 1960's.
(Right) Billy Smith (Amato) and (Right above) Eddie of The Rascals 1966-7
Billy Smith (Amato) and Andy Leo - The Rascals
16 Magazine Feb. 1966
16 Magazine - The Rascals PAGE 1 Feb. 1966
16 Magazine - The Rascals PAGE 2 Feb. 1966
16 Magazine - Billy tells on Eddie March 1966
Image:
1969 - 1970 Hawaii/Woodstock (took a year off)
3 Days of Fun/Peace & Music
WOODSTOCK! YES! I WAS THERE... ALL THREE DAYS OF PEACE & MUSIC
1970 - 1974Warner Bros. Records
When I joned Warner Bros Records in 1969 - 1972 as (A&R - VP Promotions) One of my projects was working with singer the late "Don Ho" - the Frank Sinatra of Hawaii. It was fun but not as much fun as the launch of Jathou Toll and Alice Copper for Warner Bros. Records.
(photos below - Alice Copper)
Don Ho and Billy Amato
Alice Copper (L) and Billy Amato (R)
The Alice Cooper invite 1972 Rooservelt Stadium Champagne Rock Drama.
Billy Amato with Santa and Alice Cooper
December 31, 1972 -- Bette Midler
Photo: Sitting at the after party at The New York Philharmonic Hall New Year's Eve show of on December 31, 1972: (L to R) Billy (Smith) Amato, Bette Midler and Producer Howard Stein the rock/music promoter of the event in front of Bette Midler.
Bette Midler requested me to handle the promotions for her first sold out public showing for the New Year's Eve show at The New York Philharmonic Hall on December 31, 1972. The show was called: "The Divine Miss M". Later in 1973 Bette, named her first US tour called "The Divine Miss M". The tour was only in six cities.
1973 -Rockards... "Superstars to send to friend..."
I had an idea and I went to Hallmark and they gave me $400,000.00.... I took the year off.
1974 - '77
DISCO BILLY
Disco Billy
1963 (Summer) Oliver! Producer David Merrick at the Broadway Imperial Theatre Best friends - David Jones and Georgia Brown... 1963 - 1964 Otto Preminger - Career advice for undergraduate student internship -The Cardinal and In Harm's Way... 1964 - 1969 The Rascals a/k/a The Young Rascals (Group) 1967- 1968 Launch - The original Jeff Beck Group (w/Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Ansley Dunbar. 1969 - Woodstock - (Not really a occupation but a education) 1970 - 1971 Launch - the originalBlood Sweat & Tears w/Al Cooper, Steve Katz, Bobby Colomby, Jim Fielder, Fred Lipsius, Randy Brecker, Jerry Weiss, Dick Halligan, and Howard Levy- (Group) ... I worked vary hard on them when at the Cafe Au Go Go in the West Village with thanks to Steve and Al and Bobby. Got them on the Ed Sullivan Show and moved on - ... very difficult working with David Clayton-Thomas. 1970 - 1972 Warner Bros. Records (A&R - VP Promotions) Launch - many groups including ...Jethro Tull and Alice Copper. 1972 - 1973 Launch - Alice Cooper (Group) 1973 - 1974 Took a year off in Maui, HI 1974 - 1977 20th Century Fox Records (VP A&R - New York Promotions) Launch - Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra and many more... 1974 - 197720th Centrury-Fox Film Launch - Mel Brooks: "Young Frankenstein" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show". 1977 - 1979 London Records (VP A&R - Promotions) 1979 - 1982 Salsoul/RCA Records (VP - Promotions) 1977 - 1979 (part time) 1980 - 1986 (full time) Studio 54 (director of special events/theme parties /Corporate Networking and In-House Show Producer) 1986 - (on-going) Logistis Specialist/ Business Development/ CMP (Certified Meeting Planner)
