Clockwise from top : Arnie Immerman, Jimmy Randazzo, Robert DiPasquale & Sonny Peters
The Visions (2) (Cleveland, OH.)
Personnel :
Robert DiPasquale "Bocky Boo" (Lead)
Sonny Peters
Arnie Immerman
Jimmy Randazzo
Discography :
Bocky and the Visions (1961-65) This early pop/rock band started out as a four- man group with no instrumentation (think Four Seasons). Robert DiPasquale ( a.k.a. Bocky), the undeniable leader, quickly attracted fans with his powerful vocal style. Early members included Sonny Peters, Arnie Immerman, and Jimmy Randazzo, and there were also sax and horn players Mike Geraci and Vic Walkuski. In 1961 the group recorded "All Through the Night" and "Tell Me You're Mine." Those who remember that early rock scene, however, best recall Bocky's 1964 lineup, which included Richie Greene (a.k.a. Dick Whittington) on lead guitar, Tony Bodanza (also known as Tony Styles) on rhythm guitar, Don Schwartz on bass, and Buddy Maver on drums.
While playing at all the "in" clubs on both sides of Cleveland, Bocky and the Visions cut a deal with Philips record label, making it the first official Cleveland- area rock band to sign with a national label. "Spirit of '64" and "I'm Not Worth It," both written by Bodanza, got airplay on the top radio stations and became the group's biggest local hits.
"Bocky and the Visions was the biggest [of the area groups at the time]," recalls fan and Outsiders member Sonny Geraci. "They had songs that hit the Top 10 in Cleveland. Kids, myself included, thought they were a national act because we always heard them on the radio." During its four-year reign as Cleveland's top band. During its four-year reign as Cleveland's top band, Bocky and the Visions opened for the biggest acts of the day at the "hottest" venues. At Public Hall they opened for Chuck Berry, the Rolling Stones, the Dave Clark Five, the Beach Boys, the Four Tops and The Shangri-Las.
