‘Big Wheelie’ brings his oldies act back to the stage
By Jane Kwiatkowski Radlich, The Buffalo News, N.Y. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
After 45 years performing as Big Wheelie, Vicario is far from hanging up his leather jacket. He has shared the stage with many star performers, including
Today he is employed full time as a wellness advocate for a local health insurance provider. He and his wife, Candy, live in the
People Talk: What happens when you put your leather jacket on?
PT: Were you a wise guy?
CV: Yeah. I was the typical little wise guy kid who got picked on. I grew up in
PT: Isn't it increasingly difficult to keep the oldies relevant?
CV: I think that now it's more about the performance you give. It's not like it was when we started the revolution, so to speak. At least that's what the guys in
PT: Tell me about your first album.
CV: "Solid Grease"? We recorded it in 1972 at the old Three Coins with WKBW DJ Don Burns introducing us. It was my manager's idea, my lifelong friend,
PT: As entertainers go, who is your idol?
CV: Elvis. I gave him every album we made -- hand-delivered to
PT: What performer today turns your head?
CV:
PT: When did you move to
CV: I moved there in the '80s for five years. I made a Christmas album in
PT: Didn't you just write a song about
CV: Yes. It has to do with the comeback of our city, and my personal comeback. I'll give you the first line. "Gonna rock downtown at One M&T. Hundreds of people just waiting for me. On my way I got hit by a van. The Harley died. I flew like Superman. Comeback. Just like my city. Comeback. Just like me." I just talked with my keyboard player. We talked about laying something down quickly.
PT: So you came back after two years of not performing?
CV: The absolute worst part was seeing my family over me, looking at me. ... I rode a motorcycle for 45 years. It was part of my punk image. But not anymore. It isn't worth it. At heart I'm a biker, but I lose my grip sometimes and that would be difficult on a motorcycle. I will never do that to my family again.
PT: How old are you?
CV: I'm 67. I tell people I'm born again. I'm ageless.
PT: You probably don't think of yourself as a senior.
CV: You're right. I don't, but I totally respect what seniors have done by working all their lives. But I'm not there yet. I'm not retired. Age-wise? OK, but like you said I feel like I'm 40 or whatever. I'm ready to go all the time.
email: [email protected]
___
(c)2014 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.)
Visit The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.) at www.buffalonews.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 854 |
In congressional races, two cash-poor challengers
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News