I lived in Astoria, New York, in the borough of Queens for three years beginning in 2003. In the mid-60s Astoria was also home to the Primates.
Members were:
John Demetrious – lead vocals and guitar
Gus Kaselis – organ and tambourine
Barry Bozzone – lead guitar
James Hartofilis – bass
Joseph Ferdinando – drums
Prior to the Primates, John Demetrious had been performing by the stage name Johnny Michaels and was on the Ford Startime TV show. Next he formed the Panthers with Jimmy Hartofilis, Joe Ferdinando and Gus Kaselis, all later of the Primates, along with Paul Cavounis on rhythm guitar
Joe Ferdinando told me, “The Panthers never recorded, they were a weeding out process that became the Primates.”
By the time Barry Bozzone joined on lead guitar, they had become the Primates. Members of the band went to William Cullen Bryant High School on 31st Ave and 48th St.
Hy Fenster managed the band; he also ran Universal Rehearsal and Recording studio on 20th Street in Manhattan. Joe commented, “Hy Fenster I believe passed away about three years ago. He was a good manager, got us alot of gigs and wasn’t afraid to invest cash if needed.”
The Primates waxed two 45s for the Marko label (“The Long Island Sound”), owned by Jack Hansen who is credited with production. His son Mark Hansen was bassist for the Poor Souls. Rick Grande, guitarist for the Poor Souls writes that Mark “joined the Poor Souls and would come to Astoria on weekends for rehearsals. Around that time, Barry joined The Primates and Mark got to know Barry. Mark told his Dad about The Primates and not long after, they landed the recording contract with Marco Records.”
“Knock On My Door” is their first A-side, released in September 1965 with the moody flipside “She”.
Their second was “Don’t Press Your Luck” / “Cathy” released in early ’66. All their songs were written by John Demetrious.
At some point the Primates became the People of Thee with some of the same members. Joe Ferdinando eventually formed a group called Pier 86 with Ralph Raiola. Joe said, “Panthers, Primates, & People of Thee [were] basically the same group. Pier 86 [was a] totally diferent group of guys except for me. Pier 86 made an album and then women split us up.” John Demetrious had a later group called Jericho with a 45 on MCA.
Marko Records had two singles by Jack Hansen & His Orchestra, plus these releases:
M-920 – Tommy Carberry and Joe Ross – “(Seems to Me) I’ve Been Here Before” / “Wait” (both by Carberry for Darl Pub. Inc.)
M-925 – Vic Pierce Quartet – “Idaho” / “Mr. Ghost Comes to Town”
Thanks to Lynn for sending the news clipping on the band and to Joe Ferdinando for the images of the band photos and business card.
WOW – thank you very much for posting this song! You made my day!
Do you have an mp3 of “Cathy” to post? I’ve managed to track down the other three songs but “Cathy has eluded me. The first Primates 45 has been a long-time favporite of mine since winning it at a local fair back in the early ’70s.
Do you have any artwork for the primates album. My father in-law Paul Cavounis played the rhythm guitar, Jimmy Hartofilis and Gus Hartofilis played as well.
Hello Gus,I Remember The Primates From Astoria And St. Demetrios Church. I Saw The List Of The Bandmates And I Don’t Remember Gus Hartofilis However I Do Remember Gus Katselis Who’s Late Brother George Was A Brother In Law Of Mike Hartofilis Who Is A Brother In Law Of My Goumbaro Manny Hartofilis. He Was The Guy Who Sang Harmony With John Demetriou And Jumped Around With A Tambourine. I Also HaVE 2 cOPIES oF “sHE”.
Ten Years After The Primates Recordings John Demetrious Headed Another Band Called “Jericho” And Recorded Another 45 “Your My Love” (Uptempo) And “Spend A Lifetime” (Ballad) For MCA Records In 1976. Good Stuff Check Them Out!
How do you know all this stuff??? Im blown away!!
Hello, Paul was in our 1st. group “The Panthers” not the Primates. Pictures are on my facebook page Joe Ferdinando
Gus was full of energy and played with me in
The Panthers” not the Primates…..Go to my facebook page for pictures of Gus. He was alot older than me but he was a good friend, I remember laying tiles with him and his brother Teddy.
Where did you guys find all this stuff?…..Amazing to say the least. We were a very tight band back then. I have had contact with Barry and John through facebook recently and we are all good. I moved on with other bands after The Primates most notibly “Pier 86” we opened for Joe cocker, Sly and the family Stone and Ten Years After. Hy Fenster managed us also as with the Primates. Check out my facebook page for more Primate photos and other stuff…..It all started with the panthers…..Totally blown away, You made my day. Joe
This Barry Bozzone. Cool site, thanks. The Primates also perform as opening act with the WABC “Goodguys” ( Cousin Brucie, Phil Spector and other radio DJ’s) during the whole summer of 66.
One of our biggest thrills was performing as a guest group on the great John Zacherly Show out of Newark, NJ; you know, the guy with monster movies,and who looked like a ghoul.
Great memories that I haven’t thought of for 40 yrs. until I looked at this site.
I’m a retired teacher who has just recently returned to performing in clubs.
Thanks again.
Hi Barry, I remember you Joe & John. I remember how excited you were to be a guest on John Zacherly’s Show. I remember his crazy commercials: Saverin instant, nice & hot, taste like it came from a rusty pot. You guys were the best. Brought back a lot of memories. I am now a retired nurse.
Hello Muriel, Long time…How have you been?…I was looking through some old photos about a month ago and found one of you , an old class photo…I’m retired also but have an on-line store “bigjoesdugout”…I’d like to hear from you…I have a facebook account Joe Ferdinando & so do john & Barry…Alot of old photos on my page…Nice to hear from you…Those days were the best!
Hi Muriel, I have thought of you from time to time. Funny, who would have thought that we would one day become a retired teacher and a nurse! Best Wishes to you and yours.
They had talent, drive and personality!!!!
Thanks for the compliment!
I’ve always considered the Primates as having a great 1-2 punch with two superb originals in “Knock On My Door” followed by “Don’t Press Your Luck”….Knock On My Door being covered in the 80’s by the Brood (Portland, ME) and in the 90’s by the Crybabies (Worcester, MA)….My new goal is to have my band cover “Don’t Press Your Luck”….
Primates Rock!!
Jay
The Time Beings
It’s been a while since I have visited this page and I am psyched to see all this new info on The Primates. I still consider “Knock On My Door/She” to be one of the best, if not THE best British Beat/Garage single of the 1960s. I am a recording engineer by profession and the sound of this record is just amazing with that compression and reverb which makes the record jump right out of the grooves! I love the sound of that main “jangly” guitar. Does anyone have information on the recording of this record? What guitars and amps were used and what recording equipment did the studio have? Also, do the master tapes still exist for these records? As much as I appreciate these songs being available on CD they are all mastered from vinyl. I would give anything to hear a CD with Knock On My Door, She, Don’t Press Your Luck, and Cathy all remastered from a clean tape source.
I have treasured my Primates single since I first got it (by the way, would any of you guys know how a batch of these singles ended up the Topsfield Fair in the early ’70s?). Who would have guessed that 40 years later I would be joining in a conversation with the original members! I guess we can chock another one up to the fabulous internet!
Paul Carr, Boston
Hello, Thanks for the great review of our singles!
As far as I can remember John and Barry and Gus all used Fender guitars (Strats) and percision Bass. Fender 100w amps also. As far as the master tape John would probubly know about that, I beleive the Producer has them but not so sure. John and Barry and I are all on facebook so ask away…..Thanks again for the nice comments, We are all still playing (except Gus who I can’t find.) and will get together sometime soon. John is an hour and a half away from me and Barry is 7 Hrs. away but we’ll work it out soon. Barrys making an album and may need my services if they go on tour.
Still banging away after all these years…..Yours, Joe
I just recently came accross the Poor Souls’ version of “Fate”. It said this was a Primates tune…Was this unreleased? I’ve been absorbed by this song! A posting on the Poor Souls comment section couldn’t be more correct describing the tune’s coexistance of both “simplicity & intensity. I’m curious if this was ever recorded by the Primates and if there is access to the lyrics?? If not…I’ll just be thankful someone recorded this Poor Souls rehearsal (through a door no less!) and hope the members of the Primates know that in 2011 someone is still most impressed with this song, and their song writing…..
No,This was never released or recorded to the best of my knowledge…..Look us up on facebook John, Barry and I each have a facebook page and you can ask away…..Thanks for the kind words, Joe
there are some nights,especially late at night,where the sounds of “primates”
decorate at a very meaningfull manner the garage acoustical enviroment of “dr.feelgood” bar ,at exarcheia square central athens greece.
Barry has just come out with a new cd at the tender age of 60 something, under the surname of Barry Bozz.
Its a christian retro cd but it sure rocks! “In the ocean of his mercy” Great guitar licks, vocals, great words…..You can buy it on Amazon.com or barrybozz.com…Its worth every penny, You made us old Primates very proud Buzzy…Keep up the good work…Your old friend and drummer, Joe
So nice to see these photos and hear the songs again. Brings back cherished memories of our youth, the practice sessions, the gigs, and Joe. Glad to know you’re doing well. Although I’m not in Astoria now, this has brought me back to happier times with old friends, a crazy Afghan hound and many smiles. Thanks for the memories.
Terri, I’ve been trying to find you forever…Get in touch with me please.@bigjoesdugout@hotmail.com…miss you!
This was my dads band! So cool to see a website with him on it!
Great job! Love it!
This is my beautiful & extremely talented daughter Jess…Making her own mark in this world as a Master hair stylist, dancer, model & avid concert goer…Love ya sweetie!
What about these Kansas bands around in the 60’s …The Fabulous Flippers from Wichita….The Weasels , The Illusions and Self Expression all from El Dorado KS. The Weasels were really popular and had won a battle of the bands contest in Wichita. They later had a record contract… I grew up with and knew most of the members of the Weasels. My best friend started SELF EXPRESSION and I knew the band members as well.
R.I.P. Joe 10-1-2021
Miss you, my brother!