(0 users) 
view 
Members
6 Male
Origin
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Genre
Post-Rock
Style
---
Mood
---
Active
1965 to Present...
Cutout
Current Record Label
6 Male
Origin
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaGenre
Post-RockStyle
---
Mood
---
Active
1965 to Present...Cutout
Current Record Label
Most Loved TracksNo loved tracks found...
Music Video LinksArtist Biography
Available in:
The Jaggerz are an American rock band from Pittsburgh. They achieved national recognition with their single "The Rapper," released on the Kama Sutra label. "The Rapper" reached No. 1 on the Record World charts and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1970. Certified gold by the RIAA, the single sold over one million copies.
The band's name comes from the Western Pennsylvania English term "jagger," referring to any small, sharp-pointed object, such as thorns, spines, or prickles. They were managed by Joe Rock, who also managed The Skyliners.
Early Years and Debut Album (1964–1969)
While attending Slippery Rock College (now Slippery Rock University), Donnie Iris (born Dominic Ierace) formed a band called the Tri-Vels. When the lineup expanded from three to four members, they became Donnie and the Donnells. After dropping out of college, Iris learned that Gary and the Jewel Tones, a band featuring Jimmie Ross, needed a guitarist. This led to the formation of the Jaggers around 1964. The band, initially consisting of Iris, Allen George, Benny Faiella, and Kenny Koodrich, spent the next few years playing nightclubs and other venues, building a regional following.
In 1968, the Jaggers signed with Gamble Records. Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the Philadelphia soul music production team, produced their debut album, recorded in Philadelphia. During the recording process, Jimmie Ross noticed a magazine advertisement for another band called "The Jaggers." To avoid confusion, manager Joe Rock suggested changing the "s" in "Jaggers" to a "z." Their debut album, Introducing the Jaggerz, was released in 1969. This blue-eyed soul album featured the Jaggerz' original song "(That's Why) Baby I Love You," the Ken Gamble composition "Together," and "Gotta Find My Way Back Home," written by Melvin & Mervin Steals (who later wrote "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" for the Spinners). The album achieved moderate success, primarily receiving airplay in western Pennsylvania.
Second Album and Success with "The Rapper" (1970–1973)
According to a November 22, 1969, article in Record World, Buddah Records had reactivated its Kama Sutra label and signed The Jaggerz, along with The Sir Men. By 1970, the Jaggerz had left Gamble and signed with Neil Bogart's Kama Sutra label. Their second album, We Went to Different Schools Together, was released in 1970.
"The Rapper," written by Donnie Iris, became the band's first chart-topping hit. Released in Pittsburgh in December 1969, it quickly reached No. 1 on the KQV Top 40 singles chart for four consecutive weeks in January 1970. Nationally, "The Rapper" peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 21, 1970, remaining on the chart for 13 weeks and earning gold certification from the RIAA. Other tracks from the album also charted: "I Call My Baby Candy" reached No. 75, and the non-album track "What A Bummer" climbed to No. 88. The album itself reached No. 62 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. "Memoirs of a Traveler," a classic R&B tune from the album written by Benny Faiella and Donnie Iris, has been sampled by Wiz Khalifa, The Game, Slum Village, and other hip-hop artists.
The Jaggerz continued releasing singles through Kama Sutra until 1973, when they moved to the RCA subsidiary Wooden Nickel Records. In 1973, they contributed to the Wolfman Jack novelty album Through The Ages on Wooden Nickel, backing Wolfman Jack on ten songs, including "The Rapper." The Jaggerz also produced and recorded with Bobby Rydell and James Darren.
Third Album, New Lineup, and Disbandment (1974–1977)
Jimmie Ross and Bill Maybray left the Jaggerz. Ross joined The Skyliners, at the advice of their shared manager, Joe Rock. Keyboard player and singer Frank Czuri and songwriter/keyboard player Hermie Granati joined the band for the album Come Again, released by Wooden Nickel Records in 1975. The single "2 + 2 / Don't It Make You Wanna Dance," also released in 1975, did not chart. The Jaggerz were dropped by Wooden Nickel in 1976.
After being dropped by Wooden Nickel, the original members began to leave. By late 1977, only Benny Faiella remained. He was joined by Gene and Robert Vallecorsa (guitar and keyboards, respectively), Sam Ippolito (vocals), and Mark Zeppuhar (saxophone). Despite playing only nightclubs, Faiella believed this lineup was the strongest in twelve years and would return to the charts. This did not happen, and the Jaggerz disbanded around 1977.
Separate Projects (1978–1988)
Donnie Iris joined Wild Cherry in 1976, after they had achieved success with "Play That Funky Music." He engineered their third album, I Love My Music, and played guitar on their fourth, Only the Wild Survive. After Wild Cherry disbanded in 1979, Iris went solo with the help of keyboardist Mark Avsec. They formed Donnie Iris and the Cruisers in 1980, achieving considerable success with albums and singles, including "Ah! Leah!"
Jimmie Ross joined The Skyliners in 1975. He sang with the group through 1982. He then formed the duo Cooper and Ross with Skyliners singer Cathy Cooper.
Frank Czuri became the lead singer for The Silencers, who appeared on the first broadcast of MTV. Hermie Granati formed the Granati Brothers and opened for Van Halen. Drummer James Pugliano toured and recorded with prominent artists like Leon Russell, Roger Miller, and Willie Nelson.
Regrouping (1989)
The original members (excluding Iris) reunited in 1989 for live performances, featuring Pugliano, Faiella, Maybray, organist Fred Dulu, saxophonist Robbie Klein, and vocalist Donnie Marsico. They have played 20 to 25 shows annually since then, with varying lineups.
** And the Band Played On... (1998)**
The Jaggerz released their fifth album, And the Band Played On..., in 1998, featuring Ross, Faiella, Pugliano, Dennis McAbee, and Jamie Peck. Granati rejoined the band, contributing orchestrations, keyboards, vocals, and co-producing the album with Ross.
** Re-Rapped by Request (2001)**
Re-Rapped by Request, released in 2001, featured a mix of fan favorites, including "Dancin' in the Streets," "Some Kind of Wonderful," "The Love I Never Had," and a live version of "The Rapper."
"Memoirs of the Traveler"
The melody of "Memoirs of a Traveler" has been sampled by several hip-hop artists, including The Game, Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa, Slum Village, and Dilated Peoples.
Membership Changes and Deaths
Original vocalist and bassist Bill Maybray died in 2004. Original drummer James Pugliano died in 2010.
Original members Ross and Faiella continue to perform as The Jaggerz. The current lineup also includes Granati, guitarist McAbee, saxophonist Chris Patarini, and drummer Paul Martello.
** The Walk (2014)**
In 2014, The Jaggerz returned to their blue-eyed soul roots with The Walk, featuring Ross, the band's five-part harmonies, and guest vocalist Donna Groom of The Skyliners.
Members
Current
Jimmie Ross - lead vocals, bass guitar (1965–1976; 1989–present)
Benny Faiella - guitar (1965–1977; 1989–present)
Hermie Granati - keyboards, vocals, arrangements (1975–1976, 1998–2003, present)
Buddy Schneider - guitar
Paul Martello - drums, percussion, vocals
Chris Patarini - saxophone, trumpet, percussion, vocals
Former
Dominic Ierace - guitar, lead vocals (1965–1976)
Bill Maybray - bass, vocals (1965–1973; died 2004)
Thom Davies - piano (1965–1973)
Kenny Koodrich - drums (1965)
Jim Pugliano - drums (1965–1976; 1989–1998; died 2010)
Frank Czuri - keyboards (1973–1976)
Sam Ippolito - lead vocals (1976–1977)
Gene Vallecorsa - guitar (1976–1977)
Robert Vallecorsa - keyboards (1976–1977)
Mark Zeppuhar - saxophone (1976-1977)
Ron Levi - trumpet
Rich Mansfield - sax
Mike Caporizzo - sax
(Source for the members-part: Wikipedia)
Wide Thumb
Clearart
Fanart
Banner
User Comments
No comments yet..Status
UnlockedLast Edit by ComBron
18th Feb 2025
Socials
Streaming
External Links
