Category Archives: Cheer

The Go-Betweens

The Go-Betweens, from left: Bob Brancati, Al Manaseri, a friend named Dave who filled in for Gene Olive that night, Charlie Russo and Al Brancati
The Go-Betweens, from left: Bob Brancati, Al Manaseri, a friend named Dave who filled in for Gene Olive that night, Charlie Russo and Al Brancati

Go-Betweens Cheer 45 Have You For My OwnCorona, Queens was the home of the Go-Betweens (not the 80’s Australian band), whose “Have You For My Own” was a minor sensation in 1965.

The repetitive chiming lead guitar, distortion on the rhythm, screams and an insistent drumbeat make song is a classic. It was written and arranged by one of the band members, Bob Brancati and produced by the band. “Knock Knock” has some funny lyrics about trying to get some sleep with a party raging above. The lead guitar stands out over a solid rhythm while Bob Brancati’s vocal puts the song over well.

The Go-Betweens came out of a group called the Shades who had a release “Cry Over You” / “The 5th of September” on Rapa in late ’64, and are rumored (incorrectly) to have cut another 45 (“Nowhere Man” / “Malaguena”) later on.

I knew nothing else about the group until Bob Brancati contacted me with the photos here:

The members of the Go-Betweens were: my brother Al Brancati (bass), Al Manaseri (vocals), Gene Olive (lead guitar), Charlie Russo (drums) and Bob Brancati (lead vocals, guitar). Every member of the group was from Corona. We all grew up in the same area, near the Lemon Ice King and what we called Spaghetti Park [William F. Moore Park, between Corona Ave, 51st Ave and 108th St.]

The Shades were the the earlier version of the Go-Betweens. We recorded “Cry Over You”, and “5th Of September”. We didn’t record “Nowhere Man”.

I had a vocal coach named Al Greiner, he had a friend, a nice young lady named Sandy Newman who became our manager. She got funding for our next few recordings. “Have You For My Own” and “Knock Knock” were written and produced by me. Some of the sounds were spontaneous by the band members. Sandy was able to get the record released by Cheer. However, we didn’t even know that it became popular in certain areas. She later brought in a well known music arranger named Lee Holdridge. We did a couple of songs arranged by him that were not released.

With Dion, from left: Mikey Botta, Dion DiMucci, Bob Brancati and Joe LoCicero, 1964
With Dion, from left: Mikey Botta, Dion DiMucci, Bob Brancati and Joe LoCicero, 1964

As far as gigs, we played in clubs and bars throughout NY, LI and NJ. We also eventually played opening for Johnny Maestro, and did weddings and parties all around the Tri-State area.

I am sending you two pictures. One is of the group at a gig. Another is one I took with Dion around 1964. I am on Dion’s left. The others used to hang with the us but they weren’t in the band, although they sang with us once in a while. They are Mikey Botta on Dion’s right, and Joe LoCicero on my left.

Also, Americana is my album. It can be located at CD Baby. There are also a few videos of songs from that album on YouTube under Bobby Brancati.