DESCRIPTION:
In the mid 60's in Atlanta, The Kommotions added a singer named Wayne Logiudice that set the woods on fire everywhere they played. Fronting the All -Star band, Wayne put on a show that transcended the racial barriers of the times. Here is great story of a show in 1966 at the famed NYC Apollo Theater, Wayne was singing the Chuck Jackson classic “Any Day Now” to a packed 100% black audience. When he got to the line… “Then the blue shadows will fall”… a blue light appeared from the lighting area in the upper balcony and it came and rested squarely on Wayne's face… then came a shout from the man shining the light, “Go Home Honkie!” With this, the place became silent… the music stopped as well as Wayne’s vocals… Wayne recalled how he was incensed more by the intrusion, than he was by the words. He was a professional and this was totally uncalled for… Great anxiety seemed to reign over the stilled and silent crowd as they waited to see what would happen next. Eyes and ears were glued on Wayne. After a short pause, which seemed perhaps like an eternity, he calmly and clearly spoke the following words into his microphone, “I am home… sucker!” With this, the crowd erupted with admiring approval and an ovation for Wayne, a white R&B singer from Georgia! The blue light was shown no more and the show that must go on, did! Wayne Logiudice & the Kommotions played a final show in Atlantic City that had Billy Stewart was on the bill. That was about the last job that the Kommotions played together. Emory Gordy Jr, Barry Bailey, Charlie Dechant (who has been with Hall & Oates for years now), Fielder Floyd and Marcus Belgrave (from the old Ray Charles band) and Rick Bear. Wayne retired from the music industry and lived in Tennessee releasing some gospel music and then last year showed up in Georgia with his original drummer Rick Bear to play once more. Sadly Wayne passed away a few months later in 2013. The record was recorded in 1966 and only hints to the live shows. The Kommotions with Wayne released a previous 45 record in 1965 covering the song "Little Black Egg."