Primates recording on the Marco label.
I grew up on 34th Street with Barry Bozzone though I was a few years younger. The Poor Soul’s covered many of The Primates’ songs including “Fate”. I don’t believe The Primates recorded a studio version of the song.
Earlier this year, our lead singer, Phil Borgia sent me The Poor Soul’s recording of the song, made in the late 60’s. It was put on tape by Phil’s uncle, using a guerilla recording technique during a rehearsal i.e., using a microphone placed in front of the room plugged into a reel-to-reel deck.
Unfortunately, no one has been able to find photos of the band though I know we had enough taken that some should still exist. I have the band rehearsing on converted 8mm film that was put on 1.2 VHS and then converted to digital media.
The Poor Souls business card [to the right] was very unusual. My father designed it, he was a graphic artist.
After our bands split up, Barry and I played together in a number of bands with only limited success. We also co-wrote quite a few songs though our careers in other fields short-circuited any chance for popularity. However, we have reconnected too after 40 years and we are making plans to reunite, at least on one song we think has a fighting chance in the Christian song market.
I’ve been living in Mahwah, NJ for the last 12 years or so. My former bandmates are all on the east coast – two in NY, one in PA and one in North Carolina. The five members of The Poor Souls (sans Mark) are reuniting for the first time in over 40 years this weekend. I’ve attempted to find Mark on several occasions but no luck.
Rick Grande, November 2010
Here is some great 8mm film of the band, with “Fate” and their version of “C.C. Rider” / “Jenny Take a Ride” added as a soundtrack.
Rick also sent two interesting photos of Hy Fenster’s Universal Rehearsal and Recording, a studio which is still in business at the same address, 17 W. 20th Street in Manhattan.
Although I remember John Demetrious as the primary song writer for The Primates, Barry Bozzone wrote the lyrics and music for “Fate”. I always loved how both its simplicity and intensity coexisted to create the ethos of the song.
I’ve been obsessed with this song…but I’m having a hard time making out all of the lyrics…Does anyone have these? Any help would be appreciated as I want to cover this song with my band…
Here you go Jay. Only the first verse was sung (twice) on the movie. There’s a second verse (below) that was not recorded.
Verse 1: Maybe Fate, has lead me by again
We may meet, again before we die
You walked by, made my cry
But my love is still for you
Fate, Fate, Fate.
Verse 2: Money and rings, can’t buy the things I want
But with you, I can say I’ve got a lot
You walked by, made me cry
But my love is still for you
Fate, Fate, Fate.
Rick,
Thank you for posting the lyrics to “Fate”…It’s such a great tune.. Are you doing the back up vocals on the recording?…well done…It’s great to be able to touch base with one of the Poor Souls and a friend of the Primates…in 2012!! Just want you to know you guys have fans up in Mass…..
Keep Rockin
Jay
Thanks Jay. And sorry for the rather tardy reply. I don’t check this site very often (that’s obvious) however will try to check in more frequently going forward.
Thanks again Jay!
It is with a great sadness that I write that Poor Souls guitar player Joe (Mac) Macaluso left this mortal coil on October 30, 2016 at age 63 for a far better place. However, to describe Mac as (only) a guitar player falls miles short of him as a person. Mac passed as a loving brother, friend, husband, father and grandfather. He was a fisherman, musician and a true wit. Goodbye my friend. We will meet back up some day.
Hi Ricky👍🏼
I certainly remember the days of The Poor Souls when you practiced at our family’s house on 31st Street😁, especially when you played in the backyard and all the neighbors were mesmerized by the great sound! I was proud of my brother and is amazing talents. I thought for sure you all were going to make it BIG!! Anyway, my brother’s passing on May 23, 2016 left a big hole in our hearts but Memories are so awesome to have in our hearts😁 I miss him greatly even though we have lived many many miles away from each other. His birthday on October 30 would have put him at 64 years of age and he is celebrating it with the rest of my family elsewhere. Take care and God bless, Lois Macaluso
hey did you guys play in the rockaways? and di you have a song that referenced diamonds and pearls?