The Musician... see you among the stars

Tommy Napoli called me and asked me to come see him at his apartment in Manhattan. He told me that he wanted to talk with me about something. I loved Tommy very much and I proceeded to visit him. We went to a local bar hang-out of Tommy’s and we had Southern Comfort on the rocks. Tommy and mine’s favorite. Tommy then told me that he had written about eighty songs with his guitar. I was stunned. I said, “How many.” Tommy laughed and replied, “Eighty.” Wow, that’s a lot. “OK,” I said, “What’s the problem.” He told me that he went out to perform some of these songs with his friend Eddy, who barely played bass. He told me that when he performed the songs they got a terrible response. He said that he tried to put together a band and no one was reliable. He said that he recorded some of the rehearsals with the band, but then the guys failed to show-up unless he paid them. I told Tommy, “Welcome to music.” Tommy shook his head and asked me if I could help him. I asked Tommy what he wanted me to do. Tommy said that he wanted me to listen to the songs to hear what I thought. I told Tommy, “Sure, No problem. Let’s hear what you got.” We chattered more, finished our drinks and we walked across the street to Tommy’s apartment which was located on 7th street and 3rd Avenue in the East Village. While I was walking across the street I was thinking of Tommy playing his guitar. I was thinking of how could he have written so many songs. He's an excellent drummer. The best I have ever known and ever played with, but his guitar playing is very basic.

We arrived in his apartment and Tommy played a few of the songs. I was completely floored. Tommy was freaking me out. I could not believe the wonderful songs and lyrics. I was lost for words. Song after song, he was freaking me out. Then Tommy asked me what I thought. I told him, “For a guy whom I taught guitar to, not too long ago, you surely are freaking me out. Your songs are wonderful. I think they’re right in with the times. Your guitar playing is very simple, but the lyrics of the songs are great.” He replied, “You really like them?” I told him that I didn’t like them, I loved them. I told him that he shouldn’t have any problem at all. Perform them by yourself, just the way you did for me, and you should have no problem. Tommy then replied, “I did perform them by myself and I didn’t get a good reaction. I felt like I was just entertaining people, but I wanted a better response. I tried to go out with Eddy on the bass, but he doesn’t play very well and although we had a good time together, it wasn’t happening. It’s no fun to perform alone. I need someone. You think you could go out with me and pick behind me?” I told Tommy yes, no problem. Tommy then told me he had to go to work and invited me to come along, with him which I did.

Tommy works as a janitor in a giant building which housed garment businesses. It was in the heart of the garment district, 7th Ave between 36th and 37th Street. He was the only one in the building. He worked from 12 midnight to 8 in the morning. People started coming into the building at around six-thirty in the morning.

Tommy and I arrived in the building and we proceeded to the basement which was a big room. Tommy brought his guitar. We made some coffee and then I asked Tommy to play the songs again. I listened this time very closely. I then told Tommy that if we were going to perform his songs, then the songs needed to be dressed up. The lyrics are great but the music is very bland. That is why your not getting the response you want. Tommy agreed and asked what I could do. I told him that the lyrics needed to be rearranged. You have some hooks in your song, but you don’t realize that they are hooks. They need to be emphasized. I told Tommy to write down the lyrics to three songs, and I will take them home and rearrange his lyrics to a more popular realm. I told Tommy not to worry, I wont add any lyrics and I wont take any away. I realize the importance of the lyrics from the artist. Tommy gladly agreed. Then Tommy took me to the roof of the building to see the wonderful view. We went to the top and it was beautiful at night. We could see 42nd Street, Times Square, and all the little taxi’s running about. Tommy then lit a joint and we smoked. I told Tommy that I will bring my camera next time to take pictures from up here. Tommy said, “Great.” After awhile, we then went back to the basement to pick-out three songs. I picked, “When The Oceans Start to Roar, It’ll Wake You Screaming, and I Never Seen Time Like These Times. After awhile, Tommy had finished writing down the lyrics, and I took them home.

The next day, when I returned from the university, I started work on Tommy’s songs. They were so good I just couldn’t believe it. I emphasized what I thought were hooks in the lyrics and I put a different musical arrangement with two guitars in mind. It came natural to me, because the songs were very inspiring. I had finished the songs in one evening. The next day, I called Tommy and told him that I would meet him at the building tonight and I asked him to bring his guitar. When I arrived, Tommy and I had coffee and sandwiches that his wife Patty made while we chattered in the building basement. Then I took out the rearrangement of the lyrics and showed Tommy what I did. Tommy was thrilled. We then took out our guitars and I showed Tommy now I wanted him to play the new intro to, When The Oceans Start To Roar. We practiced the chords and the timing over and over until Tommy grabbed it. Then I asked Tommy to do it again and I would now play the lead. Tommy began the opening chord structure but quickly lost it when he heard me play the lead. He couldn't believe how fantastic it sounded and his attention quickly drifted away from his playing as he concentrated on my soloing. Tommy was smiling. I told him to concentrate on his own part. We tried it again and we did the intro together perfect, and then we went into the song. The song and the music was smoking. Tommy and I practiced the song over and over until it was ripe. When the first song was completed, Tommy was lost for words, extremely happy and told me that no one would stop us now. I told Tommy, “That’s the idea.” Then we started to work on, It’ll Wake You Screaming.” We worked on that for awhile and then we called it a night. Tommy was very happy and his blood was rushing. He was dreaming of strings behind his songs, and he couldn’t wait to play in public. He was very excited and I was too.

We then spent the next two weeks rehearsing the songs until the were very polished. WHile at his building, I brought my camera and I did take some photo’s of the view from the top of his building. When Tommy’s wife heard us she also became very excited. It was now time to go out and perform the songs in public. What are we going to call ourselves? Tommy hinted that he didn’t want a group name and suggested we use our real names. I agreed. The next day at Tommy's work building, we went to the roof of the building in the early morning when the light was rising and we took some basic photo’s. I took the film to my university to developed and printed them. They didn’t come out too well, because we took them about 6:00 in the morning at very low level lighting. Anyway, I gave the photo’s to Tommy. Tommy then took the bad photo’s and put them through the copy machine and they came out very interesting. One of them looked very good even though you couldn’t really tell who was who. We used the photo that Tommy ran through the copy machine numerous times. I then asked Tommy, “Where do you wanna play first.” Tommy said that he wanted to try the
Bitter End Cafe. It was where Bob Dylan and other great got their start. Tommy said that on Monday nights they had open sessions. OK, we’ll try it.

We went to the Bitter End Cafe on their Monday night jam session and it was full of folk guitarists wanting to play. The club had a four decks of cards mixed all together. Each card had a number on it. You picked a card, and the number you got was the order of your performance. If you got a low number, you would be near the first two hours, but if you got a medium to high number, the you would have to wait till the end of the evening. Anything over fifty was around 2:00 in the morning. You were allowed to play two songs. Since Tommy and I were two people we had a chance at picking two cards. I picked number 65. No way. Tommy picked number 38. No way. Tommy and I then left to try again next Monday. Tommy and I kept rehearsing.

We returned to the club the following Monday and I picked number 58. No way. Tommy picked number 14. Ah, we now have a chance. Tommy and I then smoked a joint and wondered around the village checking out some of the other clubs. While we were walking around, we noticed that some other clubs were hosting an open session night. The Village Gate looked very interesting. They had see through glass windows on the outside so you can see who is operforming as you walk by. We then went inside to find more information and the club was dead. We asked the guy if we could sit in and he agreed. Tommy and I then performed two songs and the guy loved us, but acted like he didn’t. He showed us no reaction at all while we played. The guy in charge was a young black gay person who was playing his authority part very difficult. I asked him what was the best night here and the gay guy told me Saturday night. I asked him if he would book us for Saturday night. He said no way. I then started to talk to him about what we were trying to do, and while I was talking with him, I put my hand on his leg. We were both sitting at the piano which he was fumbling around on. When my hand touched his leg he got very excited. Tommy watched me and was laughing on the inside, but was keeping a straight face while sitting at the bar. I told the guy it was important to us and I started to make the guy laugh. He thought I was a fellow gay, and he told me to come see him on Wednesday night. He said I’ll see what I could do. I said goodnight to him and Tommy and I then left.

Once we got outside, Tommy said, “That was pretty slick what you did.” I told him that it will get us in. He thinks I’m gay now and he’ll help me out. I said to Tommy, “You liked that didn’t you.” Tommy laughed. We then returned to the Bitter End Cafe to learn that they are only up to number 8. I told Tommy that it was going to be 1:00am before we get our chance. When we finally played, the dead crowd, mostly musicians, didn’t show any sign of expression. We were happy and although the crowd didn’t react we knew that they really enjoyed us. I told Tommy, “Fuck this place, we don’t need to come here and pick a number to play, we’ll get a gig somewhere.

Tommy and I returned to the Village gate on Wednesday and the guy said to me that he booked us for Saturday night. I got excited and gave the guy a hug and I told Tommy. Tommy couldn't believe it and was real excited. Tommy invited all his personal friends. It was going to be a big night. I then made some personal flyers which read, TOMMY NAPOLI AND CHUCK GRANATELLI, A UNIQUE ORIGINAL MUSICAL EXPERIENCE. Tommy and I spent the next two days plastering all these flyers all over the walls in Greenwich Village. We would return the next night to find some one else’s put their posters covering ours. It was a constant battle to keep our poster above the others. We had to go put them up again every night.

Saturday night had arrived and I invited no one. It was Tommy’s night and I wanted him to be happy. Tommy came with his wife and their friend Lynn and Eddy, the former bass player. Tommy and I performed for a half hour and the place was packed. We had the crowd by the balls. They were enjoying every minute of it. When we finished, many people came up to us and thanked us for the wonderful music. The gay guy was thrilled and promised to bring us back in the near future. Two other weirdos’ came up to us and wanted to produce us. We went along with their discussion even though we knew they were full of shit. We gave them our numbers, but they never called us. After the first big gig, we then all went out to have breakfast together.

During breakfast, Eddy became very sarcastic toward me. It was apparent he as a black guy, was very jealous, and he and his former girlfriend Lynn, who was white, were hinting that Tommy didn’t need me. They kept on throwing-out these subtle hints while we were having breakfast. I then began to react and started to lashed out at them and Tommy's wife stepped in to calm the atmosphere. We all hung-out together and then I left.

I don’t like Eddy and I don’t like Lynn. I don’t like a white girl who goes with a nigger. Eddy is a nigger. I met Eddy a month ago through Tommy. Eddy worked as a Commercial Artist. I asked him if he would do a logo of my band, Chazz and the Freelancers. It was the name I was going to use when I recorded the eight songs that I wrote at Joey’s studio. Eddy told me that he would. I went to visit him a few times at his apartment to see if he had started the work. He did a blotched outline, but that was as far as he got. I got annoyed that he was wasting my time and so I decided to do
it my self. He was always involved with something else. I just visited him over and over making believe that I was just in the neighborhood. He seemed nice at first, but then he started to get very sarcastic. I didn’t like the way he talked about white women while we were together, and it was then I labeled him a nigger. Having a white women is dominance in their so called imaginery white world.

What is a nigger? My definition is: An American Black who is bitter toward white people. Who blames white people for their past history of slavery. Who lives off the government system. Who hates their own race. Who uses the current laws instituted by their own leaders against white people, and who blames white people for all their problems. Just plain ignorance!

They are not aware that they are more of a slave now then when there was slavery. During Slavery, their owners provided them with a roof over their head and good food. Not all owners treated them badly. Sure they worked hard, but they were an investment to their owners.

Today, they’re owned by the Federal Government through the Thirteen Amendment of the Constitution. They are treated like animals by the Federal Government through Social Security, Food Stamps, Welfare, and Federal Housing. In addition, Drugs, Alcohol, and Guns through the ATF. After all, someone is supplying them. The Civil Rights Bill made discrimination even worse. Their leaders profit from their hatred of white people, and they follow a false God.. (See Chapter 50 on that)

Lynn on the other hand is a Women Lib (Hate men) bitch. She is an ignorant white blond that can be easily manipulated. That’s how Eddy grabbed her. He got her through the famous black man's “Don Juan Routine”. It goes like this: I think you’re very pretty; you are a wonderful person; I’m very proud of you; you’re so talented; I’ll do any thing for you; I’ll treat you good.

They actually do all those actions for a while until they gain the white girls confidence. Then, when the tine is right, they hit them and in some cases beat the shit out of them, and begin to abuse them. Then the white girl is faced with a dilemma. She either stays or goes. If she stays then the black male has her under total control. He can then stop working and live off her or pimp her off for money. If she leaves then he finds another victim. Unfortunately, most white women are not aware of the “Don Juan Routine,” but many black women know it, and they don’t stand for it. It was actually a black woman who made me hip to it.

Tommy then said that it would be great to have a few violins and maybe a French horn behind us. I also thought it was a great idea, and I thought that we needed something else to bring us into the bigger clubs. It would take us away from the folk clubs, because we weren’t really folk guitarists. I told Tommy that I would write the arrangements for the strings and French horn, and we’ll do it. Tommy got very excited. This was a chance to put all my university classical music study knowledge to work. I spent the next three weeks writing the charts. I arrived every night at Tommy’s work and I wrote the charts all night. I had my little Casio to guide me along with my guitar. On the weekends, when Tommy was off, we stayed-up all night long together as I continue writing the charts at his apartment. Patty cooked and served me and they both treated me like gold. I kept on working and working and I was enjoying every minute of it. When the charts were done we had a celebration.

Now we had to find some string players. I looked around Brooklyn College for some students who were willing to play and found some. I told Tommy that I was going to set up a rehearsal at Joey’s studio in Brooklyn so we could record the rehearsal to tape. We would kill two birds with one stone. Rehearsal and recording at the same time. Tommy was excited. I then spoke with my cousin and told him what Tommy and I wanted to do, and I asked my cousin if he would be the engineer for the rehearsall/recording.
My cousin Joey said that he would do it if it was on a Saturday morning, but we had to be finished by 2:00pm because he wanted to play around on the computer. I caught a hint of jealousy with that reply. I set everything up for Saturday morning at the studio in Brooklyn. Everyone arrived except Joey. Her was nowhere to be found. I called his wife, and she told me that she didn’t know where he was. Now, it was going to be very difficult for me to perform with the strings and record at the same time. It would be a lot of running back and forth from the console back to the studio area. I felt that my cousin Joey did this on purpose out of jealousy. I had set-up all the mikes and got everything ready. Joey still had not showed-up. I told Tommy that it was stupid to run back and forth. I had the recorded sound the best I could have it under the conditions. I’m just going to press the record button and let the tape run. What ever we get is what ever we get. Tommy said, “Don’t kill yourself lets just do it.” We were getting ready to record, and the French horn player asked me if there was a Mcdonald s or Burger King around. He said that he hadn’t eaten and that he was very hungry. Tommy and I looked at each other. The French horn player said again that he was extremely hungry. I told him that there was a McDonalds nearby on 86th street and one block left. The French horn player immediately left to get some food. I told Tommy to go through the songs with the string players and I’ll fine tune the console. Tommy went through the songs and he and I were delighted to hear the strings. It sounded fantastic.

While I was fine tuning the console I was having difficulty memorizing what was on which track. Joey gave me strict orders not to put any masking tape on the console. He didn’t want any marks on the console. This is very stupid, because any studio you record in uses making tape on the console. They don’t care about the little marks. Joey wanted it to look beautiful instead of funtional. It was Joey’s thing and so I honored his wish. In order to accomplish my cousin Joey's wishes, I tried putting little pieces of paper over the track numbers to tell me what track is doing what, but they kept on falling off on to the floor and getting mixed up. Frustrated, I took a piece of masking tape and put it on the arm rest of the console instead of on the console itself just below the individual tracks. With the tracks now marked, I was ready to record. The French horn player returned and we had to wait for him to finish eating. Musicians are very weird.

We started rolling the tape and we all rehearsed. It sounded very unpolished but at the same time it sounded great. The charts were perfect without any errors. We played the song over and over and, time was eventually running-out. We stopped the rehearsals, and asked the string players what they thought about performing at a club with us. They replied that the liked the charts and the arrangement, and that they are willing to perform with us. We told them that I would be in touch with them. I gave them $10.00 each for coming to rehearsal.

It was close to two o’clock and I was packing everything in the studio up. I went to the console and removed the masking tape and a mark appeared. I got scared. Tommy walked in the console area, and I showed Tommy the mark. Tommy said not to worry because it was very small. I told Tommy that Joey was a fucking nut about these things and he’s going to freak out. Suddenly, Joey walked right in with all smiles. I immediately said to Joey, “Where were you? I thought you were going to engineer for us? Joey said that he had a drapery job to do. He asked how everything went. Tommy told him fine. Joey then glanced down at the console and said, “What’s this?” Pointing to the mark. I told him I knew he didn't want masking tape on the console and so I put a piece of masking tape on the arm rest instead because I couldn't keep track of the setting with pieces of paper, and when I took it off it made this little mark. Joey went crazy. He started raving and yelling in anger at the top of his lungs, “You mother fucker! You stupid piece of shit! You wrecked my fucking console.” He then physically pushed me out of the way while he continued his anger, “I told you not to do that. You ain’t got a fucking brain in your head.” The anger in his eyes and the look on his face surprised caught Tommy by surprise. My cousin Joey looked like he wanted to kill. He was totally uncontrollable. With the killing anger in his eyes Joey looked at the reel of tape that was still on the tape machine. I realized that he definitely was ready to pull it off the reel and destroy it. I can see and feel that that was his goal now and it would be a good reason for him to defnd his actions. But Joey hesitated for a long second, because Tommy was there. I could tell what was going through my cousin's mind. He really wanted to destroy the tape, but with Tommy standing there and I was definitely going to protect the tape if my cousin made a sudden move toward it. Within a moment, I notice that my cousin changed his mind. This all took place in a split second. Joey didn’t grab the tape so instead he yelled, “Take your fucking tape and get the fuck out of here. I don’t want to see your faces.” Joey then proceeded into the studio and waited for me to leave. I put the tape in the box at exited the studio and waited outside for Tommy. I was in deep tears. However, once I was outside I was happy, because I had the tape in my hand. That was all I really cared about. Joey almost destroyed the tape. Tommy talked with Joey saying that I didn’t put anything on the console. I put it on the arm rest and all you need is a new piece of material and Tommy offered to pay for it. Joey was nice toward Tommy. He now realized that Tommy saw his hidden attitude. He showed Tommy a different side of his personality. Therefore, Joey began being very polite and nice with Tommy saying that I was a fucking idiot, and that I should have known better. Joey then asked Tommy nicely to leave him alone that he (Joey) will eventually get over it.

Tommy met me outside and we entered the car and started heading back to Manhattan to Tommy’s house. Tommy sunk into the passenger seat of my Thunderbird and said, “Chuck, I don’t know what to say. I have never seen anything like this in my life. Your cousin has got a big mental problem. He’s a fucking nut.” Tommy looked at me and asked, “Chuck, are you all right?” I looked at Tommy and replied, “I’m fine. We got the tape. That was all I was concerned about. Getting out of there with the tape intact. You know he wanted to destroy it.” Tommy said, Yea, I picked that up right away. I saw him glance at it and I too knew he wanted to rip it off the machine. I never knew he was like that. When you told me that he was going to freak out about the mark. I thought you were kidding.” I told Tommy that his action is all about power and control. That’s the way he does it. It’s an act. Look at his son Frankie. He treats him the same way. The kid is like a fucking nut because of him. It reminds me of my brother Thomas who grabbed my nephew and started beating on him for no reason. It’s all about power and control, including jealousy. You know Tommy, I said, “He’s pissed about you getting a free recording of your songs in his studio.” Tommy quickly said, “Maybe I should pay him for the studio time.” I said, “What for? It’s my production. He doesn’t even rent the place out. He’s pissed that we are being creative and that we are very talented. He’s been that way toward me throughout my life. It started when we were very young. He played the guitar and I got farther than he did. He created fights with people on the block with me. Then he pretended that he had nothing to do with it, and that he was my only friend. Blood relative. He burned my lunch at Steeplechase park everyday and pretended he didn’t know anything about it. It goes on and on. This event is just another I have to go through, and it was worth it. The tape is here, and that all that matters.” Tommy told me to stay away from him. I told Tommy not to worry. I’m going to use him like he uses me. His studio is important to me right now. I could care less what he tries to do to me. In reality, I am no longer affected by his actions. One day he will get his. He now thinks that he made a jerk out of me, but I’m the one that’s laughing, because I got the tape. He's trying to effect me so I make it look like he succeded, but in the end, I will always win. His game is no game. He’s the jerk. We did it. Let’s go up to your place and be happy. What happened is over and forgotten. Sometimes you got to go through some rough stuff to get things accomplished. I’m a pro and he is the jerk.”

Tommy and I went up to his apartment on the forth floor and entered. His wife Patty asked how it went. We told her great. We have the tape. Then Tommy told Patty briefly what had happened in the studio. Patty was very surprised. Then Patty made us lunch and we all talked. I told Tommy that Joey didn’t ask that I return the keys to the studio so technically I’m still in there. I’ll sneak in the studio in the morning hours and make a mix to cassette. Later on, I then returned home to Brooklyn. That night, about 2:00 in the morning, I went back to the studio to make a copy on cassette. The recording wasn’t that great. The strings and French horn made mistakes and at one point Tommy got a little lost, because he was concentrating on the wonderful string parts instead of his guitar playing. However, It was great for us. We can understand how it will eventually sound once it is polished. On Sunday, I went back to Tommy’s house to drop off a copy to him and listen together and enjoy the tape. After that, I then needed to head back to Brooklyn to prepare for tomorrow’s attendance at the university.

The next day, in between classes at Brooklyn College, I was sitting on the steps by the window in the music building. I glanced out the window and I saw Nancy. The girl from NYU who I wanted very badly. I quickly jumped-up and ran down the steps and called her, “Nancy... Nancy.” She turned around and saw me. She quickly came over to me and we started talking. She told me that she was looking for me, but she had never seen me around campus. I then asked her to have lunch with me the next day and she said OK. We had lunch together in a local restaurant the next day. She told me her schedule and we made plans to meet at about six that night. We again met at six, and we went for a stroll to a quiet part of the campus. We sat down next to one another and I grabbed her and started to make out with her. She then climbed on top of me and grinned her pussy into my cock. We were very sexually hot together! Then we rolled over and I got on top of her. She then grabbed my cock and said, “This is very hard.” I smiled to her and said, “It is for you.” Then we had to break-it-up because some teachers began to walk toward us. We waited for them to pass and we continued our escapades. We stood together for a couple of hours playing with each other and then we had to leave.

I had called Jim Gregory to see what he was up to now that Gregg Diamond was history with the rest of the Disco scene. Jim told me that he was now playing in a band with an up-and-coming female vocalist named,
Cindy Lauper. He told me that she was very big in Puerto Rico, but know one knew of her in the States. He told me that she was trying to get a deal and that he and she was going to put on a performance at the world famous
Studio 54. He asked me if I wanted to come see their premiere performance. I told him yes. He then asked me to stop by his house to pick-up the free tickets. I then drove to Jim’s apartment and he told me some interesting stories about Gregg.

He told me that Gregg was hooked on cocaine. He told me that Gregg got a tremendous budget to produce Gloria Gaynor next album. He then said that Gregg and the studio took the whole budget and spent it all on cocaine. He told me that there was about thirty five thousand dollars worth of cocaine in the studio, and they were in the studio for eight days straight without ever leaving. Jim said he was so high for so long that it was unbearable. He said that they presented the finished album, and it was a flop. Jim told me that the lawyers, Gruben, Indersky and Schindler, did not want any thing to do with Gregg anymore. Gruben, Indersky, and Schindler are the premier lawyers in the music business. They handle everyone, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, etc. Everyone important must go through their office. Jim then gave me the tickets for the show and I was off back to Brooklyn. What a sad story about Gregg.

With the tickets in my hand, I asked Nancy if she wanted to see a premier performance of this new singer Cindy Lauper at Studio 54. Nancy gladly accepted. I then called Tommy Napoli and asked him if he wanted to also attend. Tommy and his wife said yes, and were delighted. Tommy’s wife Patty told me that she would make us all dinner on that night and then we could all go to the performance. That Friday, the night of the performance, I met Nancy and we drove her back to my house. When we got to my house we sat on my couch, and Nancy put my hand between her legs. I took Nancy’s clothes off and carried her into my bed, and we had sex for hours. While she was giving me this wonderful blow job, my eyes glanced at the clock, and it was already 8:30pm. I then was forced to interrupt Nancy’s talent and told her that we are behind schedule and that Tommy and his wife were waiting for us to have dinner that she prepared. We then had to rush to the city. We arrived very late at Tommy’s and quickly had this wonderful dinner that Patty made. Then it was off to Studio 54.

It was a big event. All the big people in the music business were there. We entered the difficult to get in Studio 54 with out any problem. Cindy Lauper was fantastic, and I knew as soon as I had heard her that she was going to be a star. The performance in general was a spectacle. The lights, the backdrop, and Jim Gregory was top notch. Jim didn’t ever miss a note. I was in envy. I wished it was I who played guitar. After it was all over, we all drove back to Tommy and Patty’s apartment where Patty served coffee and cake. Tommy and I then pulled-out the guitars and we performed for Nancy the songs that we were doing. It was wonderful. I then drove Nancy back to Staten Island to her boyfriends house. She kissed me goodnight, and that was it. A wonderful evening.

Tommy called me and told me that he had a friend that had a beautiful club in Manhattan, and that he would rent it to us for $200.00 for a night. I said, “Interesting. Let’s go see it tonight.” We went to the club and it was beautiful. It was located on the side street of 33rd Street off of Broadway. The stage was just what we looking for. The stage was semi-circular and the seating was very comfortable. A wonderful place for acoustic guitars and strings. Then Tommy and I went to his work building to talk it out. I told Tommy that I would put up a $100.00 bucks if he would. Tommy said he had to talk with Patty. I was very surprised at that remark. I thought to myself, “What the fuck do you have to ask her about. Do it, and it’s done. It’s your career. We’re talking about making millions.” I told Tommy that we could make reservations and send them out to all the labels. Just the way Cindy Lauper did. With all your friends and mine we can recover most of the money back. We could charge Ten Bucks to enter. My friends will pay that and I know your friends will too. Tommy needed to talk with Patty, and for the first time, I sensed something is wrong.

The next day Tommy told me that Patty went for it, and I said fine. We then booked the club for two weeks from now on a Saturday night. I made reservations and copies at Kingsborough Community College and took them to Tommy’s house. Patty would help in mailing the reservations. I put a guest list together with all the names and addresses of all the A&R reps at the labels. I had two printed reservations. One for our friends and one for the important people. I offered the record company’s free access with two free drinks that Tommy and I was going to pay extra for. The Patty spoke out, “Don’t you think two free drinks is too much?” I looked at her and said, “What are you kidding. We will be lucky if they ever come at all. Don’t worry about the drinks. It’s not enough. We should offer them an open bar. Then maybe a few will come.” Patty still thought that was too much. Patty was getting a little too envolved without any knowledge. Typical of a woman. I wanted to tell her to leave the music business to me. Just lick the fucking envelopes and mail it out, and shut-up. However, she was Tommy’s wife and I had to try and be as diplomatic as possible ansd say nothing. We had everything set-up. It was Wednesday before the Saturday concert. We had three days left to polish our music.

Wednesday evening or rather Thursday morning about 2AM, I was practicing with Tommy at his work when out-of-the-blue the building bell rings. We both looked at each other and said, “Who the fuck is that?” I waited in the basement while Tommy answered the doorbell. Then Tommy comes walking in with Patty who was in tears. “Oh shit”, I thought. Tommy told me that he was going up to the roof to talk with Patty. They both then exited the basement. I put my guitar down and leaned back on the chair for a quiet moment. Then I said to myself, “It is all over! Napoli and Granatelli are now history. Another fucking great musical event lost. Another great opportunity to make-it lost.” I shuck my head as I retired my guitar to the case. All that effort, and all that work again gone to waste. I waited an hour and a half in disbelief and disappointment, and they still didn’t come down from the roof. Then finally, Tommy comes walking into the basement alone. I quickly told Tommy, “You don’t have to say anything! I already know that it's over.” Tommy then apologized to me. He said, “Chuck, I’m sorry. You better go.” I picked-up my guitar and walked to the exit door with Tommy. I told Tommy, “I love you man. You the most talented guy I ever met in my life. You play drums like no other drummer I ever experienced. You write unbelievable songs. You’re a wonderful guy. What a waste!”

Two days later, Tommy called me. He asked me to drop by to visit at work. I loved hanging-out with him. Especially at the building where we would get high and spend time with each other. Tommy wanted to continue playing. He wanted me to forget everything that happened. I told him that I could never forget. We were on the brink of making it. All that effort and work I did. It’s senseless to go on. If it’s over then it’s over. I’m not going to compete with your marriage. I had many groups on the brink of success and the fell apart because of a marriage or a demanding controlling girlfriend. I’m sick of it. I really should have known better, but you should have known not to get me so involved. He apologized again. He told me that there was a new little club across the street from the Village Gate that just opened. He wanted to play there. He said that they were interviewing new talent. Tommy looked so desperate, and I told him OK.

The next night, I stopped by Tommy’s house and Patty had developed a little nasty attitude. We sat around and listened to music and then Tommy and I went to check out this new club called, The Grandstand. We walked in with our guitars and asked for an audition. The woman owner said, “Go ahead, play a couple of songs for me now.” OK. Tommy and played for her and she told us that we were great. Then I sat down with the woman to discuss a date. She told me a week from this Saturday night. She told me that she was going to put an ad in the paper for us. She asked what we were called. I told her Tom Napoli and Chuck Granatelli. She wrote it down and said, “I’ll see you guys a week from Saturday.”

Tommy and I went to eat something in the village. During our dinner, Tommy asked me if there was something wrong with my crotch. I said, “What?” He said that when I was at his house, when I got up off the couch, I played with my crotch in front of Patty. I told Tommy that I was sorry that I did that if I did., but I don’t remember. I told Tommy that I was probably repositioning my balls in my pants, and that I was probably doing it unconsciously. I found his statement to be very bazaar. I asked Tommy if he ever did that. Tommy asked what. Reposition your balls when you get up after sitting to feel more comfortable. Tommy said that I should get my crotch checked out by a doctor. I told Tommy that I don't have any problems. Forget about it. Just give my apology to your wife. Tommy said that Lynn had complained about the same thing. Tommy then asked me, “Are you doing that in front of women on purpose?” I told Tommy, “This has got to be the most ridiculous and bizarre thing I ever heard in my life. It now sounds like this is a thing that Lynn is starting to create. I see the picture now. Tommy, I think you’re surrounded by ugly, women gossip. I realize that Lynn is a good friend of your wife, but this is totally ridiculous. Give me a break.” Tommy finally dropped the conversation any luckily didn't discuss it further. I couldn’t believe the he would believe or take part in this shit. I realized that Lynn was beginning to make trouble for us and I wouldn't be surprized if Lyn's nigger boyfriend Eddy was behind it all.

It was Wednesday, and the next copy of the Village Voice had just came out. Tommy and I went to get a copy, because we wanted to see our first billing together. They wrote a small article in the newspaper about us playing the GrandStand. They wrote Chuck Granatelli and Tony Napoli. Tommy immediately asked me, "Why did they put your name first." I told Tommy that I didn’t know? They probably made a mistake, and I see that they had spelt your name wrong. They called you Tony. “O’ well, don't worry about it. It's not a big thing and we can't do anything about it now. It's a mistake! They’ll correct it next time." That night, I went to meet with Tommy at work again, and he began to fuck with me. He acted like he was now the king of the hill and he didn’t need me anymore. A complete attitude reversal. Then, Tommy went on again about the write-up in the newspaper and demanded me, “I want to know why they put your name first?” I told Tommy again that they probably made a mistake. Tommy replied, “I wasn’t listening to your conversation dealing with the owner of the GrandStand when you were doing business with her. Did you arrange with her to put your name first?” I just couldn’t believe his actions and what he was saying. Tommy said, "My wife is pissed-off, and she and Lynn think that you had planned it that way. Are you fucking with me or what?" Just then, I became very pissed. I had enough! Not only from what he was saying to me, but his actions of acting like a big shot when I arrived tonight and so I lashed out at Tommy and told him, “Hey look, I could care less whose name is first and whose name is last. I really don’t give a shit. I’m tired of hearing Lynn and your wife’s bullshit. You dragged me back into playing again with you again and you are filling my mind up with a lot of unimportant useless bullshit. That is what this all is! I did you a favor! I arranged your music and my fucking performance is what made your songs come to life. I could take the same licks and chords and write another song, and you wouldn’t be able to do a fucking thing about it. You should be honored that I did what I did for you. You couldn’t even get a gig until you asked me to help, let alone that you couldn’t even get a reaction from the audience. I sensed that this was coming. I have seen a change of attitude from you since you begged me to come back. I’m not stupid. I copyrighted your songs and took the music as mine. Your melody and lyrics belong to you, but the music I did for you belongs to me. I protected myself. You don’t need me now? OK, go out and do the fucking songs the way you originally did them before you asked me to come into the picture. I didn’t call you, you called me. You take that information back to white trash trouble-making Lynn and your unappreaciative trouble-making wife. You tell them what I told you. You go perform the Grandstand by yourself. I'm not going to show up. I did all I could do for you. Now for all my hard work I am catching negativity and personal attacks from everyone around you expressed through you. I’m not going to take this shit, any longer. I've had it! That’s it! Furthermore, I’ve been honest with you from day one. I have no reason to lie. Listen to my words and remember them clearly and don't forget this, 'They made a mistake in the newspaper, asshole!'"

Tommy sared at me in shock. He said, “You copyrighted my songs?’ I said no, I copyrighted my arrangements to your songs and my licks. He relied, “You mutherfucker!” I said, “Woa, Wait a minute! Are they your licks and arrangements?” He stumbled a bit and said, “Well, No!” I said then what are you worried about and why you calling me a mutherfucker? They’re still your songs. Tommy didn’t know what to say. He was completely speechless. I could finally see in his eyes that he knew that he was wrong and that the women around him have put him in the mist of their little gossip game. I told him that I have to go. Let me out of the building. Tommy got very humble and walked me to the door. He opened the door and asked, “You’re not coming to the Grandstand?” I said, “No.” He asked me what he was supposed to do. You made all the arangements and plans and now your not going to show up. Let’s just finish the gig and then that’s it if you want. I told him that he should have thought about that before he started breaking my balls and attacking my personality, and acting like a big shot. Go ahead Mr. Big Shot, do your gig and thank Lyn and your wife for what had just happened. I walked to my car and left. It was the final end to Tom Napoli and Chuck Granatelli. A UNIQUE ORIGINAL WASTED MUSICAL EXPERIENCE.

I was glad that I only arranged three of his songs. I knew in the back of my mind that this was a shaky situation from the start. I was smart. I only took on three of his songs. I wanted to arrange more of them, but I held back from doing so. Playing with someone who’s married is a no-no. Patty has a very strong control over him. He owes Patty a debt because she helped him kick his heroin habit many years back. I love Tommy and Patty. I really do. I was searching for another future in music, and when I heard his fantastic songs, I thought that we might have a shot. So I went for it. I’m not sorry I did this, because I wrote great arrangements that I had learned at the university in music theory. I'm just saddened again by the waste of talent and music. That is why I wasn’t surprised when I seen Patty walking in to Tommy's job in tears. I knew right then and there that it was over. In the end, I was happy at the way I performed on his songs. I’m happy about the string arrangements, and I feel more competent as a guitarist, arranger, and/or as an A&R man, but my heart cries again.