Search for the cd - Colonized, best of the new colony six. Out of print and pricey to buy - but worth it

Remember that the Bucks followed us as we were first by nine weeks before Shadows of Knight covered Van Morrison's album cut with the band, "Them", cleaned up his lyrics and became the smash hit that "Gloria" was... Not sure how much later that the Buckinghams hit with "Kind Of A Drag" but NC6 opened those radio airplay doors for all the Chicago area bands who followed us onto the charts!

Hi Ray, this is one of my favourite songs from the 60s. Seriously, you nailed this one! I can feel the emotion in your voice

@@ParchedPinemarten Given your kind words, I have a pair of additional places to hear the tune. Here is a link to one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2Oxk6B8mKp1b5I which features the band and me doing the tune live on our United States' ABC TV network back in 1968. I was told by the Director that he loved my tambourine but forbade my playing it as it interfered with my vocal pick-up during rehearsals before they let in the audience and we went on the air live. This next one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqi4g4GvqLKSlas was done just by our current guitar player and myself - a single take, maybe about 2005-2006 if memory serves. You'll hear my emotions let loose again, just a smidge in the bridge when my voice cracked a wee bit - cannot help it; puppy love that never was even acknowledged let alone pursued... sigh! Thanks so much for listening, liking and posting... Ray

Thanks Ray!! You guys were great!!!

Hey Ray, I had once heard you tell the story of why wrote 'Can't You See Me Cry' in some video. However, I have never able to find that video ever again. I'd love to find it, because as my comment suggests in this section, it aligned almost exactly with my friend. Could you share where to find it or just recount it here? Thanks, Marty

@@americanexpat8792 Brevity version: preteen Ray is living with his parents, sees a big truck (moving van) and hopes for a boy since folks apparently moving in down the block and across the street. Speaking gobbledygook which I later learned was Polish, but then saying some words in English, I spot a girl about my age and think she's really cute so I cross the street, talk to her a bit but clearly she has zero interest. Tried a few more times but "no sale". So, since in Chicago your homes typically have an alley behind the houses for garage entries, garbage can storage, etc., I would go stand by their garbage cans and try to catch a peek of her through a window. Fast forward a decade or thereabouts and while thinking of things that might be cool to share in lyrics, voila, those "puppylovestruck" days smack me in the brain. And while I have mentioned her first name countless times over the years at live concert appearances, simply to find out if she even ever heard the song let alone recognized it as having been written for her by that little boy she discouraged, well, who knows, but thus far anyway, paths never crossed hence unknown if she ever even heard CYSMCry let along known it was written for her. Oh well, life goes on and went on - clueless where she went, is, or even if remaining alive but that, my friend, is indeed the story! 😢

I agree wholeheartedly- Thank you for helping me champion this great song!

Yes …..fact

Most of my "most special favorites" are unknown b sides or album tracks or were played but never big hits

1968

x2

x3

Agreed... sigh!@ Ray

Glad to see CYSMCry AND LYSMuch on your list! Ray

​​​@@NewColonySix-RayGraffiaJr.Thank you Ray! Can't believe that I am just seeing your reply. You guys' music, was a very important part of my youth. Iwatay, is probably my favorite song of the 60s and in the top 10 of my fav songs of all time. But I love all of your ballads, including this one.

@@musicluver1958 I don't check here regularly hence an apology for a bit of tardiness! While we morphed from what NC6 was at the very beginning of our career that summer of 1964, I concur with your endorsement of our ballads. Surely, Ronnie and, before his untimely death, Les, and others like the balance of those of us who wrote the music, deserve tremendous credit for the overall success that we had "in the day". And, unbelievably, now just short of 60 years since Day One, still do have opportunities to relive those times when given the chance to entertain folks who know our lyrics, have those tunes in some form or other and still recall a slow dance with another who may or may not have ever become a spouse but shall always have a place in their hearts. Enough already, so thank you for this chance to reminisce a bit and smile this morning; hugs to you and yours over the coming holidays; may our paths cross one day in person, or, if not, at a Colony gig somewhere or sometime in Eternity... Peace! ☮& Blessings! ✝

Similar situation led to me writing the song, RM. Theresa, was my heroine, but dated back to my pre- or very early teen years... sigh! Ray

Those are both such sweet and innocent memories. And hey Richard, in my very early 20s, i had a bad crush on a beautiful girl named Michelle too, also one way out of my league - and just like your Michelle - tall and beautiful. However, I did get to spend a couple hours with her one night - until we were rudely interrupted. But I will never forget those moments!

Wonderful memory!!!

I met Jim Peterik in 1968. He was my neighbor’s brother.

@@henryrogers5500 If still in the area, hr5500, try to catch a concert by an act called, Cornerstones of Rock. Long story on the name, which came from a PBS TV Special by Chicago's WTTW, following which most of us who appeared in the show began doing live concerts, but when we began and both the lead vocalists from Shadows of Knight & American Breed were still alive, they, along with Buckinghams, Cryan Shames, NC6, and the Ides of March, with J.P. still at the helm! Today we do tributes to Jimy (Shadows) & Gary (Breed) and do have a gig at the Des Plaines Theatre in November if memory serves!

Blessings to both of you... Ray