Take Ten … with Lou and Pete
Canonsburg’s Four Townsmen, who have been performing on-and-off since the late 1950s, will give their farewell performance at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 at Canon-McMillan High School. Here are some final thoughts from original members Lou Gadani and Pete Kouklakis on their long musical career.
1. The seeds of the original Four Townsmen began more than six decades ago. When did you first realize you wanted to be a performer?
PETE: In junior high, when I was in the chorus. I had the lead in one of the shows. I sang “Seven Little Girls Sittin’ in the Backseat.”
LOU: After doing our high school dances, we got the performance fever trying to mimic other groups.
2. What person or group influenced you the most in those early days?
LOU: Danny and the Juniors, Fabian, Vogues, Bobby Rydell, The Rays.
PETE: Four Greek guys named the Four Coins (who are also from Canonsburg).
3. Most people probably don’t know that your hit record resulted from the one and only recording session by the original group (which also included Chuck Marshall and Bob Kraushaar). What do you recall most about that recording session?
LOU: The actual settings for the recordings were those from others who recorded before us. It was all new and exciting to us. Who knew we would record five CDs in the future?
PETE: At the end of the one-day session, I can remember producer O’Dell Bailey saying, “We got a hit.”
4. Do you recall what you were doing or where you were the first time you heard your recording, “Sometimes”/”It Wasn’t So Long Before (Graduation’s Here)” on the radio?
LOU: I was having dinner with my parents. I thought we were all so cool about it all.
PETE: I was at home and I kept the radio on all day. They finally played our song on KDKA and I was really excited.
5. The popularity of your first single lead to performances that ranged from the roof of the old Route 19 Drive-In to a co-starring gig in Atlantic City with Paul Anka and the Crystals. What was your personal favorite performing memory?
PETE: The Route 19 Drive-In was an experience! It rained that night we were on the roof. The crowd stayed in the cars but kept honking their car horns for us. We went to Atlantic City on a Greyhound bus and we sang in the front of bus while we were heading there.
LOU: The opening of the roof at the Civic Arena while we were performing. We were part of the last show to perform in the Civic Arena before it was demolished.
6. In the late ’50s and early ’60s, Canonsburg produced numerous groups and solo acts, ranging from the Four Townsmen to Bobby Shawn and Bobby Vinton. Assuming it wasn’t “something in the water,” to what to you attribute the success of so many acts from your hometown?
LOU: The competition! There were many groups performing in the area. We would all compete with the help of numerous disc jockeys. It was a brotherhood of actors and musicians encouraging each other.
PETE: I think Perry Como was my biggest reason for thinking I could succeed. He was from our neighborhood. Also, our music teachers – Mrs. Stanley in grade school and Mr. Cole in junior high – encouraged us.
7. After the British invasion decimated the popularity of the group in 1964, the Four Townsmen went their separate ways. Between 1964 and the late 1990s, when you reunited, did you personally have any thoughts of putting the old group together, forming a new group, or performing as a solo act? At any point, did you wish the group had not disbanded so hastily?
LOU: Because we were in various professions, we couldn’t get the group all together, but in our hearts we wanted to do something. We finally just started performing again and one gig just lead to another. Certain DJs like Clark Race were a big help to us. It has been a very difficult decision to retire from performing. But, it’s time to retire and enjoy the grandkids and family.
PETE: There was a time when Bob Kraushaar and I thought we could get Chuck Marshall back in the group, but soon afterward, he passed away.
8. After the group reunited about 20 years ago, what were your thoughts prior to stepping back on the stage after more than a 30-year hiatus?
PETE: I was excited to find out that our record was on the CD, “Pittsburgh’s Greatest Hits.” We had some disc jockeys calling. They wanted to interview us on the air, so I thought there might still be an audience for our group.
LOU: New members always brought exciting changes to our group. When one left the group, one equally talented person joined in. We never fired anyone.
9. You have been the core of the Four Townsmen through multiple personnel changes over the years? To what do you attribute the group’s continued popularity?
PETE: I think the popularity of the oldies on WJPA radio and on WQED-TV helps to keep our music alive.
LOU: It has been great working with all nine talented members. I personally will miss all of them. As we get older, so does our audience. Pop music has changed over the years. But we still have a niche audience that likes our music. Young people do not want to talk about harmonies or old sounds. New and upbeat music is what they want now.
10. What are your thoughts as the Four Townsmen prepare for their final concert? Has it been a satisfying experience?
LOU: I think we are just as excited for this show as we were for our first one. It’s bittersweet indeed. I will continue to enjoy the music of other oldies-type groups in the area.
PETE: After 50 years that the Four Townsmen have been out there, we are grateful for everybody who has followed us. We made special friends that we will never forget.