Musicians Jimmy Ross and Dominic Ierace aka Donnie Iris, the latter of which has had a popular solo career as a power pop artist, formed the Jaggerz in 1965 in Aliquippa , Pennsylvania. As stated before, the 1970 breakthrough album featured the 1970 RIAA Gold record certified and number #2 Billboard Hot 100 hit "The Rapper", a satire of 70s lounge lizards / pick-up artists that has been their 'signature song'. They were Pittsburgh's most popular band until they broke up in 1975, playing to numerous enthusiastic live crowds for years. They reunited in 1989 in a new incarnation led again by Jimmie Ross; the line-up released the albums 'And the Band Played On' (1998) and 'Re-Rapped' (2001).
In 1967 Philadelphia sound producers Gamble and Huff came to Pittsburgh the hear the Jaggerz perform at the Staircase lounge and signed them to a record contract. The Jaggerz released their first album, Introducing The Jaggerz 1969 on Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's label Gamble Records. The album featured the regional hit song "Gotta Find My Way Back Home” written by the Steals Brothers (Mystro & Lyric) of Aliquippa who were song writers for Gamble and Huff. The Steals Brothers later wrote the million selling hit “Could It Be I’m Fallng In Love” for the Spinners. The single received strong airplay on KQV, KDKA, and other Pittsburgh stations.
Original lineup members included trumpet & bassist Jimmie Ross, organist Thom Davies, guitarist Benny Faiella, drummer Jim Pugliano, vocalist Dominic Ierace (a.k.a Donnie Iris - who would later became a member of Wild Cherry and a successful solo artist in the early 80s).
In 1973 the Jaggerz backed up DJ artist]Wolfman Jack who sang ""The Rapper" and other songs on the album "Through The Ages". It was released on RCA's Wooden Nickel Records.
Around 1975 singer Franki Czuri and keyboard player Hermie Granati joined the Jimmie Ross, Donnie Iris, Bill Maybray, and Jim Pugliano for their next release. The Jaggerz released their third album “Come Again” in 1975 on Wooden Nickel Records. It featured the song “I’ll Be Okay in the Morning” co-written by Donnie and Hermie Granati, along with the Donnie Iris song “Don't It Make You Wanna Dance?” After Jimmy Ross left to join the Skyliners in 1975, the Jaggerz broke up.
After The Break Up
After the Break Up the members on Jaggerz went on to more success in the music business.
Singer Jimmie Ross performed with the Skyliners from 1975 through 1982. He recorded with them on their 1978 album release 'The Skyliners' In 1983 Ross and Cathy Cooper left the Skyliners to form the duo Cooper and Ross. They performed together for five years and released the album "Botton Line" on Sweat City Records / MCA.
Donnie Iris joined band Wild Cherry before he formed Donnie Iris and the Cruisers. He scored another number 2 national hit with the song 'Ah Leah". Donnie Iris landed 9 singles in the Billboard top 100 lists. He released ten albums with the Cruisers, five of which made it to the Billboard top 200 list.
Jim 'Pugs' Pugliano moved to Los Angeles where he became a session player and sideman. He recorded sessions with Leon Russell, Roger Miller, the Hudson Brothers,and Don Preston . He performed on commercials for McDonald's, Burger King, and other firms. As a sideman Pugs toured with J.J. Cale, Tony Orlando, Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis and John Davidson. Returning to Pittsburgh he formed a Jazz Fusion band with Donny Marsico and Joe Monroe in 1989.
Frankie Cruzi formed the Silencers, who signed a deal with CBS/ Precision Records. In 1980 their single "Shiver and Shake" reached number 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They took their act across the country appearing with Hall & Oates, Foreigner, Heart, ACDC, and others. Early pioneers in music videos they were featured on the very first broadcast of MTV in 1981.
Hermie Granati join with his siblings to form Granati Brothers who released the album G-Force on A&M Records and toured the country opening 78 shows on two national tours with Van Halen in the 1980s.
Reunited Jaggerz
The Jaggerz reunited in 1989 to perform live. The reunited band included the original members Jim Pugliano, Benny Faiella, Bill Maybray along with organist Fred Dulu, sax player Robbie Klein and vocalist Donnie Marsico. Their first appearance was at a 25-year reunion concert on June 23, 1989 at the Beaver County College Golden Dome. The band has played 20 to 25 shows a year since then.
The Jaggerz released their fifth album "And the Band Played On" in 1998. The All Music Guide calls it"Heartfelt soul music". Performing on this release were Jimmie Ross, Eugene "Benny" Faiella, Jim "Pugs" Pugliano, Dennis McAbee, and Jamie Peck Former member Hermie Granati rejoined the band writing the orchestrations, performing on keyboards and vocals, and co-producing with Jimmie Ross. Recorded at Dave World Studio it features the Jaggerz arrangement of classic R&B tunes and Hermie Granati's original tune original tune "Feels Good".
The Jaggerz released their sixth album "Re-Rapped By Request" in 2001. It features a mix of the most requested songs that they have performed over their career including "Dancin' in the Streets", "Some Kind of Wonderful", "The Love I Never Had" and a live version of the "Rapper" recorded at the A.J. Palumbo Center.
The Jaggerz lost two of their original members. Guitarist and vocalist William Maybray Sr. died of cancer in December of 2004 and drummer James Pugliano passed away in June of 2010. Founding members Jimmie Ross and Benny Faiella continue performing the soulful sounds of the Jaggerz. The 2013 roster of the Jaggerz also includes Dennis McAbee, Hermie Granati, Paul Martello, and horn section Ron Levi, Rich Mansfield and Jim Sheppard
Jaggerz Official Website at http://www.jaggerz.com/.
Follow the Jaggerz on their facebook fanpage at Jaggerz Fans -Check out the new official Jaggerz Facebook Fan page for pictures, videos, and music. https://www.facebook.com/thejaggerz
Memoirs of the Traveler
The Jaggerz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
way up high-ayyyyyy
saw all of the colors of the rainbow
I could fly-iiiiaaahhhh
I went over the wall-lllllll
so it all-llllllllllll
all whole new world outside this bubble
my my my-ahhhhhhhhhhhh
I herd sights
I saw suuuuuuaaaaaammmmm
I found answers behind the mask
To questions I never aaaaaaaasked
There was love all around
And my friends on the way I herd them say
Don't go back, here you are welcome
ahhhhhhhhh
stttttaaaayyyyeeeeaaaeeaaayy
ahhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh heeeee yeaaaaa
oooooooooo hooo
oooooooooo I saw the colors of the rainbow
oooooo oooo oooo yeaaaaaaaaaa
The song "Memoirs of the Traveler" by The Jaggerz seems to be about a journey of self-discovery. The opening lines "I went up to the sky-aaaahhhhhhhhhhyyyy, way up high-ayyyyyy," indicate the singer's journey to a higher plane of existence, perhaps through meditation or some other transcendental experience. The singer sees "all of the colors of the rainbow," indicating that they are experiencing the full spectrum of life and emotions.
The next lines, "I went over the wall-lllllll, so it all-llllllllllll, all whole new world outside this bubble," suggest that the singer has broken free from their previous limitations and is now seeing the world from an entirely different perspective. They have gone "so far beyond place others have gone" and have heard and seen things that others have not. The mention of finding answers "behind the mask" suggests that the singer has uncovered hidden truths or insights.
Despite this newfound understanding, there is still a sense of longing in the singer's voice. They hear their friends saying "Don't go back," but the singer's response is "stttttaaaayyyyeeeeaaaeeaaayy, ahhhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh heeeee yeaaaaa, oooooooooo hooo." They may feel torn between this new world they have discovered and their old life, or perhaps they recognize that their journey is not yet complete. In any case, the song ends on a positive note with the singer seeing "the colors of the rainbow" once again, implying that they have gained a richer and more rewarding perspective on life.
Line by Line Meaning
I went up to the sky-aaaahhhhhhhhhhyyyy
I experienced a sense of freedom and expanded perspective.
way up high-ayyyyyy
I transcended my normal physical and mental limitations.
saw all of the colors of the rainbow
I witnessed the full spectrum of human experience.
I could fly-iiiiaaahhhh
I felt unburdened and empowered.
I went over the wall-lllllll
I overcame obstacles and barriers.
so it all-llllllllllll
It opened up a whole new world outside my accustomed reality.
all whole new world outside this bubble
I discovered a vastly expanded universe of possibilities and experience.
my my my-ahhhhhhhhhhhh
I was amazed and enthralled by what I discovered.
I went so far beyond place others have gone
I ventured into new and uncharted territory.
I herd sights
I perceived things in a profoundly new and different way.
I saw suuuuuuaaaaaammmmm
I experienced intense and transformative visions.
I found answers behind the mask
I uncovered hidden truths and wisdom that had been obscured before.
To questions I never aaaaaaaasked
I discovered knowledge and insight that I didn't even know I was seeking.
There was love all around
I felt connected to and supported by a greater loving energy or force.
And my friends on the way I herd them say
I was aided and inspired by people I encountered and traveled with during my journey.
Don't go back, here you are welcome
I was encouraged to stay and continue exploring, rather than returning to my former, limited life.
ahhhhhhhhh
I felt a sense of wonder and amazement at my experiences.
stttttaaaayyyyeeeeaaaeeaaayy
I was urged to remain present and continue expanding my awareness.
ahhhhhhhh yeahhhhhh heeeee yeaaaaa
I celebrated my greater understanding of the world and myself.
oooooooooo hooo
I felt a sense of joy and delight.
oooooooooo I saw the colors of the rainbow
I experienced the full range of human emotion and possibility.
Contributed by Julian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@562nestorgm
Letter to the king - The game ft Nas!
Second floor of my hotel, I'm rollin' up, 'bout to blaze
And zone out, to this Frankie Beverly and Maze
As I daze about the past, and them days in the past
He set my mind free, so my mind free at last
So much that I don't even drink from a fuckin' glass
I'd rather find the first fountain I can and do it fast
Didn't understand the dream of a King, I do the math
Coincidentally on your birthdays, I ditched the class
Cause the younger me, dumber me was chasin' the cash
Chasin' the ass, lowlife with his face in the grass
Ridin' home from school, in front of the bus
Not even thinkin' 'bout how Rosa Parks done it for us
How she stayed behind bars and she done it for us
And she stayed behind bars 'til she won it for us
Sometimes I wanna give up or at least take a break
That's when I close my eyes and see Coretta Scott's face
(Ohhhh)
Cause sometimes I wanna give up or at least take a break!!
@giansmith3041
Apollo Brown brought me here, what a timeless classic!
@76soulider
What song
@giansmith3041
@@76soulider Apollo Brown: Not That Guy ft. Your Old Droog
@mikehunt3420
Spitta outdid himself with this one
@st33tman08
"smelling like High Times, at the 50 yard line, ushers bugging wanna check our tickets!"
@zing5900
All this TIMELESS music! Rap music, them sampling this type of old school music, is the key to keeping us in touch with the MESSAGE OF THE TIMES. To keep these artist and their SPIRITS alive through their music....what a legacy! Thank you!
@boy1durrrr
And ima keep Rollin up...
@kalmorgan2925
yessir
@Andrew--bp6nj
Jet life
@95rcruising6
Woorrdd 🤙