45RPM To Play Final Show At Farmingdale's The Nutty Irishman

FARMINGDALE, NY — The curtains are set to soon fall on 45RPM for the final time.

The band is set to perform its farewell show at The Nutty Irishman in Farmingdale at 8 p.m. Saturday. The cover charge is $10 and can be paid at the door.

"After years of unforgettable performances and cherished memories, the time has come for us to bid farewell to the stage as 45RPM," the band wrote in a statement through Mark Weis, the band's business manager. "What an incredible journey it has been!"

The band's goal from the beginning was to "revive the magic" of 1970s AM radio hits — the songs that "defined a generation and brought people together in joy and nostalgia."

"With heartfelt performances of timeless classics from artists like The Carpenters, Blue Swede, Tony Orlando and Dawn, Cher, Bobby Sherman, David Cassidy, and The Partridge Family (to name just a few!), we aimed to recreate not just the sound but the soul of that remarkable era," the band stated.

The initial 45RPM lineup featured Danny Calvagna on vocals; Michael Hack on guitar/keys and vocals; Michael Barberich on guitar and vocals; Bobby Simons on keys and vocals; Linda Mackley on drums and vocals; and Simon Walsh on bass and vocals.

Over the years, members have left. Calvagna died of the coronavirus a few years back. The band's lineup for Saturday is set to feature Kristin Seely on vocals; Greg Warnokowski on keys; Michael Ponella on guitars and vocals; PJ Cardinal on keys and vocals; and Mackley and Walsh.

The band's longest-running lineup was Calvagna; Hack; Barberich; Mackley; Walsh and Tony Tallarico on keys.

"Since Danny Calvagna passed away, there has been a lot of sadness, at least from me, about going to see the band," Weis told Patch. "It's still a great band. Still, they put on an amazing show. It just so happened to be at the end of this year would be their last show. Kristin and Matt, they decided to take off. It takes a lot of time. Especially back when they were doing 150 shows a year. They were on a roll. It takes a toll on you. That's why we have a number of subs who come in."

The band thanked its "amazing fans" for allowing them to succeed beyond their "wildest dreams."

"Together, we sang, danced, laughed, and reminisced through countless, 'Wow, I remember that one!' moments," the band stated. "The 'C’mon Get Happy Show' wasn’t just a concert; it became an experience, a celebration of music, and a space where we could all relive the carefree spirit of the 70s."

"We are 100 percent honored that we're hosting the last show, because they are so much a big part of the live music scene. As I feel just as we are," Joe Fortuna, owner of The Nutty Irishman, said. "To host them makes sense, because it kind of goes in tune with this being our 20th anniversary, and how there really aren't that many live music venues around, like there used to be. We're one of the oldest live music venues, so it's only fitting that their last show is with us."

The band called The Nutty Irishman its "beloved home away from home." The venue has served as the "heart of so many incredible nights" of music, laughter and connection. The band stated that playing its final show there is "the perfect, bittersweet ending to the 45RPM era."

"We've always played there, and we've always done well there," Weis said. "Joe [Fortuna] is great. It's just a great scenario."

The band said it is "truly honored and thankful to have been part of" The Nutty Irishman's legacy, "just as it has been a cornerstone of ours."

"To our fans who came to see us, danced with us, and sang their hearts out—thank you for the love and support," the band stated. "You made every note, every lyric, and every moment on stage unforgettable. Though 45RPM is stepping away, the joy and memories we created together will live on. Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey and for letting us be part of your lives.
And as we always say: stay 'Hooked on a Feeling!'"

Fortuna said he and his team are looking forward to the concert.

"They're one of the great cover bands on Long Island," Fortuna said. "It's going to be a great day."