The Crew

Artist Information

Biography

THE CREW, otherwise known as Classic Rock Excavation Workers, is an experienced 6-piece band with up to four masterfully constructed sets of classic danceable rock, soul, and blues. Lead vocals and harmonies stand out because members have been performing together since you heard the radio hits for the first time! You will "dig" what THE CREW of Classic Rock Excavation Worker uncovered for you!

***FRONT LINE***
John Esposito: keyboards, lead vocals
John has been at keyboard & vocals since the 60’s in various local bands with Jim Franke, and goes back to the early 80’s with Mark Newman & John Gattuso. After some jazz-rock fusion projects in the 80’s, John took a break from the music scene to further his piano studies. Joining up with THE CREW after more than 15 years absence from the band circuit, John is having a blast playing & singing some of the songs that were & are still a big part of his life!

Jim Franke: lead guitar, vocals
Not only does Jim play well with others, he actively promotes this great band. Call Jim back, please - or he will keep calling you!

John Gattuso: rhythm guitar, vocals
John’s rhythm is “always there” and so are his vocals. John has a true ear for vocal harmony and arranges many of THE CREW’s vocals. John is one of the reasons that THE CREW is known for its excellent vocal harmonies! John is also known for his great stage presence. John loves to play and move around on stage! John has been playing guitar and singing for over 30 years, along with Mark Newman. What an incredible team!

Mark Newman: lead guitar, vocals
In the early beginnings of THE CREW, the members who knew Mark just had to recruit him to play due to his outstanding musical abilities. Mark has formal music and guitar training from Roosevelt University in Chicago and is a true master of the guitar. Mark’s vocal harmonies are also excellent, having performed on stage with John Gattuso for over 30 years. Mark was a necessary ingredient for THE CREW, and when you hear him, you’ll know why.

***RHYTHM SECTION***
Jeff Carlson: bass guitar, vocals
Jeff’s solid bass groove is a key ingredient that keeps THE CREW’s fans on the dance floor all night. He is a life-long disciple of infectious styles of music that audiences love: soul, Motown, Stax, rhythm & blues, and classic rock. Jeff’s stage and studio credits include LP album sessions at Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Studio, the dance band Final Edition, the blues rock band Separate Checks, and some of Chicago’s finest songwriters.

Buzz Goldstein: drums
Buzz, one of the founding members of The Crew, started playing drums in the mid-sixties. After an extended vacation from music, he returned to playing in 2001 with the goal of forming a band with other musicians who enjoy playing classic rock and roll that gets people up and dancing with a smile on their face. “While playing behind the drum kit, I enjoy listening to the great music and harmonies the other members of The Crew produce”.

Instrumentation

John Esposito: keyboards, lead vocals
Jim Franke: lead guitar, vocals
John Gattuso: rhythm guitar, vocals
Mark Newman: lead guitar, vocals
Jeff Carlson: bass, vocals
Buzz Goldstein: drums

Discography

Audio

• Gloria
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• Moondance
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• Heart Full of Soul
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• Midnight Hour
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• Long Train Runnin'
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Rave Reviews From Fenton High School 40th Reunion [+ Show ]
  

  Kathy M. Tuesday, September 15, 2009 I also want to say what a wonderful time I had at the reunion...Kathy M.
  Tuesday, September 15, 2009
  I also want to say what a wonderful time I had at the reunion. I danced so much I regret that I didn't talk to everyone there. I'll do better at the next one. The music was superb!! Thank you Mark Newman and the band!!!
  
  Anonymous
  What a great time! The reunion committee did a terrific job of coordinating this reunion. The band was outstanding. A special thanks to Mark Newman and John Gattuso for playing acoustic guitar and allowing all of us to sing along in various keys until the wee hours of the morning! I can't remeber the last time I saw so many of us baby boomers dance all night! Thank you to everyone I reconnected with over the weekend. I hope we all stay in contact. Let's do it again in five years.
  
  DONALD B.
  Wednesday, September 9, 2009
  I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERY ONE. ANITA AND I HAD A GREAT TIME. THE BAND WAS GREAT, I WISH THEY HAD A CD TO SELL, WELL SOME DAY.I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR MAKING THE 40TH REUNION
  THE BEST TIME EVER.
  
  Diane R.
  Wednesday, September 9, 2009
  The reunion was a blast! Thank you committee and for all those who said I looked the same!:) Somehow the years we have spent apart just melted away and we were back walking the halls of Fenton, or driving in our '63 Ford or dancing to the transistor radio again! The band was so good and the dancing wasn't too shocking to our out-of-shape bodies! (Except for Judy P. who definately WAS in shape!) Anyway, I am sorry for those who missed it! Let's not wait another decade!

Setlist

We offer up to four dance sets, or a "festival" show of any length:

Aaron Neville - Tell It Like It Is
Alan Parsons Project - I Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You
Atlanta Rhythm Section - Spooky
Beatles - And I Love Her
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Beatles - Tell Me Why
Beatles - Twist and Shout
Beatles - You Can't Do That
Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine
Bob Seger - Old Time Rock and Roll
Buckinghams - Mercy Mercy
Buddy Miles - Them Changes
Chambers Brothers - Can't Turn You Loose
Chuck Berry - Johnny B. Goode
Commodores - Brick House
Doobie Brothers - China Grove
Doobie Brothers - Long Train Runnin'
Four Tops - Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
Hall & Oates - I Can't Go For That
James Brown - I Feel Good
Joe Cocker - Now That The Magic Has Gone
Joe Cocker - The Letter
Johnnie Rivers - Seventh Son
Jr. Walker & The All Stars - Shotgun
Kingsmen - Louie Louie
Little Richard - Kansas City
Manfred Mann - Do Wa Diddy
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Music Explosion - Little Bit O' Soul
Pharoahs - Wooly Bully
Rascals - Good Lovin'
Rolling Stones - Satisfaction
Sam & Dave - Hold On I'm Comin'
Sam & Dave / Blues Brothers - Soul Man
Santana - Evil Ways
Shadows of Night - Gloria
Spencer Davis Group - Gimme Some Lovin'
Spencer Davis Group - I'm A Man
Spinners - I'll Be Around
Spirit - I Got a Line On You
Steppenwolf - Magic Carpet Ride
Temptations - Ain't Too Proud to Beg
Temptations - Get Ready
Temptations - I Can't Get Next To You
Temptations - My Girl
Van Morrison - Moondance
War - All Day Music
Wilson Pickett - Funky Broadway
Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour
Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally
Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul
…and more!

Basic Requirements

Calendar