APRIL 19, 1968
For Days & a Night To Perform New Dimensions in Music
The music softened; the lead singer dropped to his knees. The other six bowed their heads, and the emotion-packed voice of Al Lathan resounded through the room.
This sort of performance has an unusual effect on an audience, compelling many to give up dancing and sit on the floor to better absorb the soul-moving music of For Days & a Night.
Originally "Four" Days & a Night until two more members were added, the group consists of seven Chicagoans: Larbi Ruslan, Bob Calvaresi, Fred Entesari, John Priola, Bob Diamond, Dennis Giovannini, and Al Lathan.
"When I feel good, I sing good and I always feel good." Perhaps this is not a modest statement, but then 19-year-old Al Lathan has little to be modest about. Al not only uses his great voice to get a song across to his audience but employs many eloquent gestures that are more moving than the lyrics. An ex-basketball player, 6'5" Al is now a psychology major at De Paul University.
While Al pours out his soul, the two newest members, John Priola, 20, and Fred "Persian Cat" Entesari, 20, clown in the background. They laugh at secret jokes, oogle the funny people in the audience, and keep the hot air circulating between John's trumpet and Fred's sax. Both bearded buddies are music majors: Fred at U. of I. Circle Campus and John at Wright Jr. College.
The intellect of the group is Bob Diamond, who though only 17 is an honor student at Wright Jr. College. The child prodigy psychology major says of the group's music, "We incorporate in our act technically good music. We have blues, jazz, and classical influences." Bob plays lead guitar.
Dennis Giovannini, 19, demonstrates his diverse talents by playing the organ, trumpet, and guitar for the group - one at a time, of course. During performances Dennis favors the audience with a male version of the Mona Lisa smile complete with dimples. He is currently studying business administration at De Paul. (Incidentally he is the nephew of West's Driver Education Department chairman, Mr. Victor Giovannini.)
"I do not play the guitar; I play the electric bass," insists 21-year-old Bob Calvaresi. Bob's most striking features are his luxurious mustache and sideboards and his murky shades. A Loyola business administration major, Bob feels "the Beatles are God" and the new Hindu influences on music, dress, and philosophy are great.
The unbearded members of the combo are now accumulating stubble on their chins. "We're growing beards just for something to do," observed Larhi Ruslan.
For Days & a Night will be ap-pearing at Maine West along with the Cryan Shames for the May 5 G.I. Drive concert.
The group was born two years ago. According to Al Lathan, "We just sort of drifted together. What the heck: we saw other guys doing it; we could do it too." And it seems they did.