Photos of a singing star

09/23/2009 10:00 PM

By FELICIA DECHTER

26 Comments - Add Your Comment




Jerry Pritikin has works on display at the Maple Pointe art show through Oct. 2. Courtesy Usama Haddad

Heart of the ‘hood
For days, I’ve been singing the ’60s songs, “Kind of a Drag,” “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song,” and “Don’t You Care?”

You remember those oldies but goodies, don’t you?

Well, now I can’t get them out of my head, thanks to Lake Viewer Linda Matlow, a photographer who recently released her first book, Dennis Tufano Oh-9.

The book is filled with new and vintage photos of Tufano, original singer for The Buckinghams, who were from Chicago and had major hits with “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” and “Susan.”

The pair met at Chicagofest in 1980, when Matlow was shooting the photos for a friend interviewing Tufano. They became fast friends, and Tufano told me they’ve now “rekindled our relationship.” When I asked Matlow what that meant, she giggled and repeated what he said. So, I guess we know what that means.

“He’s talented, handsome, funny and a joy to work with,” said Matlow. “Everything just evolved and fell into place and I had all of these performance, studio and candid photos and I just thought, ‘Why not do a book?’”

Matlow said she grew up to the music of The Buckinghams, who in 1967 were named “The Most Listened to Band in America” by Billboard Magazine.

“The music is still timeless, fun, relevant, loved and appreciated by audiences of all ages,” she said.

Matlow kept the book a surprise until it was released on Tufano’s birthday, Sept. 11.

“I was blown away by what she’d put together,” Tufano told me. “Thank God I’ve aged gracefully. I’m quite flattered and I think it’s a nice little book.”

Matlow is one of the best entertainment photographers I know, and since 1978 she’s taken around 150,000 photos of groups like the Rolling Stones and U2 as well as Bowie, Beyonce. You name them, and she has more than likely snapped their photo.

Her interest in the industry was piqued at an early age by a love for music, a nice Nikon F camera from her father and a mother that was active with Second City comedy writing and a downtown beauty salon that catered to the stars.

Matlow’s book is 40 pages with 51 photos of Tufano, and available starting at $24.95 at tinyurl.com/n42av9. (Think holidays, as they’re right around the corner.)

“Linda doesn’t take pictures,” said Tufano. “She creates them.”

Gimme artwork! I love the artwork created by the gifted seniors at the Second Annual Resident Rembrandt Art Exhibit at Maple Pointe Apartments, 150 W. Maple. Please stop by and check out the awesome and original pieces by residents and their family and friends. They are on display through Oct. 2 in the community room gallery.

Tenant Jerry Pritikin has a baker’s dozen of work on display covering “a little bit of everything and everybody,” including Ted Kennedy, Harvey Milk and Coretta Scott King. All work is for sale.

“They’re extremely talented seniors,” Pritikin said of the bunch.

Pritikin’s headed to Washington, D.C., next month to march supporting gay marriage, by the way.


26 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Linda from Lakeview
Posted: 11/18/2009 11:37 PM

Thank you for everyone that has posted a comment on my book,Dennis Tufano Oh-9! A Special thanks to Felicia Dechter for taking the time to do this story and to SKYLINE Newspaper for running it in the print edition as well as on this website. Dennis WILL be performing in the Chicago area in January 2010! You can check Dennis Tufano's blog at: http://dennistufano.blogspot.com/ and his web site at: http://www.dtsings.com Thanksabunch! Linda Matlow


By Lorraine from Gold Coast
Posted: 11/13/2009 8:13 PM

I've followed Linda Matlow's photo career for more than a few years now so I was really happy to see this article! I actually remember Linda from her days on Rush Street and I'm really proud of her that she stuck to her dream of being a photographer. I hope Dennis Tufano will be performing in the Chicago area soon. I think he has a great voice,heck he should be performing on Leno or Letterman show oo. Lorraine


By Indirapatel@gmailcom from Gold coast
Posted: 11/07/2009 12:45 PM

When friends and lovers rekindle after so many years like that it is a true soul mate connection this story link was emailed around a few spiritual and soul mate lists beautiful please follow up on this story up same time next year peace and love indirapatel


By Bridget from Loop
Posted: 10/24/2009 2:47 PM

Dennis Tufano and Linda Matlow is an interesting collaboration of talent! I love the "serendipity" of this story and wished it could have been longer and more detailed! hopefully there will be more creative juice flowing with these two and a movie of the week to follow ;) bw


By Sherry from Gold Coast
Posted: 10/21/2009 7:06 PM

Wow,driving home last night I caught Dennis Tufano on WLS radio being interviewed by Dick Biondi! Thought I'd google that phenom of an entertainer and found Linda Matlow's blog then this article! Was this in the newspaper as well ? I must have been out of town. I'm an old die hard fan from the 60s and how I would love to see him perform in Chicago! _____Sherry______Not Sherry baby! Just Sherry!


By Jeff from Old town
Posted: 10/10/2009 5:39 PM

Nice to see two talents like this merge! Jeff B


By Ashley from Lincoln Park
Posted: 10/08/2009 2:40 PM

I would LOVE to see a full article on Linda Matlow.Her career choice sounds pretty fun! Ashley


By Deborah from Old Town
Posted: 10/07/2009 11:32 PM

If you like classic 1960s rock and you have funds to see ONE performer,You WILL NOT regret seeing this awesome singer! I've seen Dennis Tufano perform 3 times and if he did a lengthy tour,I'd quit my job,jump in my car and act like a Grateful Dead fan and follow every show across the USA! I am so glad that Linda Matlow tuned into Tufano's talent and captured forever this magnificent vocalist for everyone to enjoy! Debs


By Ali from Gold Coast
Posted: 10/04/2009 5:25 PM

One of my friends has Linda Matlow as a FACEBOOK friend and I heard Linda just posted she's working on a book on relationships. It's interesting when creative people can go from one mode to another so quick.I have this Dennis Tufano story in the newspaper version,thought I'd log into your web to see it and glad people can comment. And,by the way,would love to see Dennis Tufano in concert anywhere ! Ali


By Kris K from River North
Posted: 10/04/2009 0:56 AM

Could wedding bells be ringing? Rock on Dennis and Linda, your a talented twosome.


By David from Millennium Park area
Posted: 10/03/2009 10:39 AM

Dennis Tufano really should be performing more! I saw him perform a few years ago at Italian fest on Taylor street. Come on Dennis,stick Chicago on your schedule soon! Linda Matlow picked a great subject and I hope the book brings them alot of recognition.hey,not to mention..MONEY! David


By Bill V from River North
Posted: 10/02/2009 3:43 PM

Denis Tufano is a GREAT singer and performer.Linda Matlow is a great photographer. Nice match,nice story. Great to read about these two Chicago greats!


By JOE from Portage Park
Posted: 10/01/2009 4:20 PM

Thanks for the Dennis Tufano story. To those of you who haven\'t seen him perform you\'re in for a treat. Dennis is not an overweight oldies act. He is a multi-talented, polished crooner, and a pretty good-guy too. Talk about local, Dennis attended Gordon Tech on Addison&California. I\'m unsure if he graduated. Pre-WWII records are not available.


By Mia from Streeterville
Posted: 09/28/2009 10:52 PM

FELICIA DECHTER--Thanks for this really cool article. I was wondering whatever happened to Dennis Tufano..I saw him on PBS(channel 11) a few months ago and him sining just one song was NOT ENOUGH! Now my interest is piqued and I know he's performing again. Linda Matlow's work is always a nice addition to SKYLINE. I wish them both luck on their book,careers and lives! -Mia-


By Melinda from Gold Coast
Posted: 09/28/2009 8:03 PM

WOW...awesome article! Two local celebrities...Dennis Tufano and Linda Matlow. I grew up with Dennis and the Buckingham's music, but Dennis was the star. And that voice, wow. Sure brings back memories. Would love to see him in concert! And Linda..her work is top notch, I have admired her work for years! I need to pick up a copy of the book!


By Marjorie from Gold Coast
Posted: 09/27/2009 10:59 AM

Great article ! I would love to read more on both Linda and Dennis. I still have my old Buckinghams albums and would love to see Dennis Tufano in concert. I checked out some of his recent concerts on youtube and look forward to his schedule including Chicago! Marjorie


By Kara from Streeterville
Posted: 09/26/2009 9:38 PM

to Michael from Streeterville- This is not a book about the 1960s band The Buckinghams. Photographer Linda Matlow did a photo book on Dennis Tufano who has done much more in his life than sing *with* The Buckinghams as what I am assuming was his teenage years. The author has a blog(I googled Dennis Tufano Oh 9 and it came up) and you can see for yourself.. Chicago has had some awesome music and Dennis Tufano is by far one of the best! Would love to see a complete interview on him as well! Kar


By Bob from Edgewater
Posted: 09/26/2009 3:43 PM

In response to Michael From Streeterville..This book is Linda Matlow's book about DENNIS TUFANO not about the Buckinghams! Dennis Tufano was the original voice of all of those massive hits! To:By Michael from Streeterville Posted: 09/25/2009 11:44 PM Hey.. what about the other guys from back in the day.. Carl, Curt, Nick, John.. Dennis give some credit...


By Brian from Gold Coast
Posted: 09/26/2009 0:49 AM

Linda Matlow, really should have her own reality show..She's had a fun life as a photographer! Dennis Tufano..He's just as talented a performer as he is handsome! BRIAN


By Michael from Streeterville
Posted: 09/25/2009 11:44 PM

Hey.. what about the other guys from back in the day.. Carl, Curt, Nick, John.. Dennis give some credit...


By Nancy from Old Town
Posted: 09/25/2009 11:35 PM

Matlow\'s pictures are photogold. Good for her! Would love to see a story and pictures on all The Buckinghams, and what they\'re doing now.


By Alan from Lincoln Park
Posted: 09/25/2009 10:55 AM

I saw Dennis Tufano with Sonny Geraci last year. Made my life complete! I was a few years too young to go to concerts when the Buckinghams were performing but seeing Dennis perform live-really made me forgive my parents for not taking me to see them the first time around. I Would love to see Tufano perform in clubs as well as Grant Park(Taste of Chicago ?) Is Linda Matlow the same photographer that shot for the news stand music magazines awhile back ? Hope so,cool photos as I recall! Alan


By Kevin from South loop
Posted: 09/25/2009 0:44 AM

Dennis Tufano ya got to get out and perform more! Linda Matlow, I am a fan of your work since the 90s and your still one heck of a babe! Met you at a party in NYC and at Borders again a few years ago.Good luck with your book. Skyline on the web looks rad! kevin


By Ellen from Evanston
Posted: 09/24/2009 4:43 PM

Dennis Tufano should be playing the big places and recording again. His work was stellar in the 1960s with those great unforgettable songs and decades later that great HBO video with Olivia Newton John. I still love his work with Bernie Taupin and The Farm Dogs and sorry there was no follow up CD! Cool book,I will check into it. Ellen Morgan


By pete from Downtown
Posted: 09/24/2009 3:20 PM

The former Buckinghams vocalist Dennis Tufano brings back some great high school memories with those tunes I am glad he is performing and was honored with this book Linda Matlow has taken some incredible photos thru the years she is a credit to the celeb phot trade hey where is her pic ? Peter


By Connie Barish from Gold Coast
Posted: 09/24/2009 10:18 AM

WOW! Dennis Tufano!!!!! Great performer,great voice . Saw him perform over the summer with the Cryan' Shames in the 'burbs..Hopes he plays Chicago alot more. Linda Matlow's photos are always top notch. I will check out the book! Thanks for this article! Connie