Drummer Billy Wanat was a permanent fixture on the Western Massachusetts music scene for over fifty years. In 2012, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease passing away on May 17, 2022. Yet, even in his final years Billy played drums with a small group at the Senior Center in Holyoke, Mass.
In high school, his friends affectionately referred to him as ‘Gene Krupa’. The Hollywood film ‘The Gene Krupa Story’ unknowingly motivated Billy for many years to follow. Later on, Buddy Rich and Joe Morello would become his two favorite drummers.
Billy had been a major influence in the local drumming community since first studying with Joe Morello’s teacher, Joseph D. Sefcik. Soon, he was playing with various groups on a regular basis before joining up with the band that brought him national recognition…‘The Buck Rogers Movement’. Buck Rogers developed a large following releasing four singles on their 21st Century records label.
They had a big hit in 1967 with their single - “Would You Believe?” Buck Rogers continued to work almost non-stop including touring gigs at the ‘Showboat’ in New York City, and a two-week engagement in Labrador. After Buck Rogers, Billy spent a couple of years playing with local favorites – ‘The Rattletones’
I first met Billy Wanat in 1968 when he was rehearsing with ‘The Buck Rogers Movement’. By an amazing twist of fate Buck and Beverly Rogers lived in my neighborhood. When I began delivering the daily newspaper, they were one of my customers. They knew I was a drummer, and a huge fan of the group… From then on it was great tips and free 45’s coming my way.
Like Billy, I also studied with Joe Sefcik so that was one of the first cool things we talked about. Billy was seven years older, so I always considered his musical opinions to be extremely important. His advice made a huge difference in my drumming. I also began to tune my drums like Billy while trying to emulate the amazing studio sound he achieved in a nightclub environment.
In 1972 when the drinking age was lowered to 18 was my first visit to the bar named Cedars where Billy’s band was playing. The group was called ‘Milestone and they were a revelation for a young drummer who loved horn bands. They were tight beyond belief having the luxury of being Cedars’ house band playing five straight nights week after week. They effortlessly did Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, Cold Blood, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, and most every song on the charts at that time which included horns. The ‘Milestone’ horn section included Tom Tisdell on saxophone with Gary Drejza, and Dennis Bird on trumpet. Bassist and lead vocalist Larry Jaconetta was a musical revelation… He had a voice and stage presence like David Clayton Thomas… Larry’s version of ‘So Long Dixie’ was truly amazing. On keyboards was Danny Kretzer with Doc Peters on lead guitar and vocals.
In 1973, Milestone was offered a seven night a week gig at The VIP Lounge in Springfield, Mass. At the VIP they added saxophonist / vocalist George T. Gregory to the band. Soon afterwards, some friction developed between George and bassist Larry Jaconetta. Both wanted to go in very different musical directions. Yet, the band was a literal powerhouse with both of them on stage while it lasted.
Sadly, It wasn’t very long before the group split in two. Four ‘Milestone’ members remained at the VIP – while Doc Peters, Danny Kretzer, and Billy Wanat joined up with George T. Gregory to form ‘Home Cookin’ with bassist Mick Grigsby, and Collis Alford on the trumpet. Virtually overnight, the group became one of the hottest new bands in the Pioneer Valley.
After the demise of ‘Home Cookin’ two years later – Billy joined a Top 40 band named ‘Thursday’s Child’. He was with them for many years as they worked constantly. They played the nightclub circuit, weddings, parties and everything else in between. They were a great crowd pleaser with a loyal following. Billy was also an accomplished vibraphonist and sometimes brought his ‘Vibes’ on a gig to add a splash of color to the group.
I continued to stay in touch with Billy… One day, he spent an entire afternoon copying his ‘Home Cookin’ reel to reel tapes onto cassettes for me – which I still have. One of Billy’s coolest stories was when on numerous occasions he took his drums deep into the forest – set them up and played for a couple of hours… He said it was always an incredible experience communing with nature on the drums.
This was the Billy Wanat I knew… A lifelong drummer, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend... Blessed by God in so many ways.
… Remembering Billy Wanat
“Billy Wanat was an outstanding team player. He would listen and kept perfect time like most of Joe Sefcik’s students. Billy was also a fun person to be around… Had a great laugh. - Tom Tisdell
“Billy Wanat was one of the kindest men I've ever known. We spent many nights having pizza and some great conversations after the gigs we played together. Such a great drummer… He always played just what was needed, nothing more.” - Doc Peters
"Billy was a lifelong groove master, who enhanced every musical setting he was in. His dedication to drums and drummers along with his "can-do attitude" will be sorely missed." - Bob Girouard
“As a friend he kept me in stitches with his infectious laughter and sense of humor which was on full display in the wee hours during breakfast at Al's Diner.” - Danny Kretzer
“Billy Wanat was a great drummer who was always right on. He rocked and he swung! And he was a sweetheart of a guy - so humble and totally down to earth. Billy Wanat - yes!” - Ray Mason
“Was saddened to hear of Billy's Alzheimer' and his passing. He was great drummer and I loved the way he and I played together.” - Michael Grigsby
“Bill was a great drummer, very dependable, always at the gig long before me. We played together for approximately 25 years and became really good friends.” - Ron Curran
“Billy was truly a gem of a human being, one of the nicest, most pleasant, congenial, and engaging people I ever met… He was a superb drummer, anchoring a number of the region’s top bands for decades.” - John Cipora
Buck Rogers Movement Discography
21st Century Records 601: “Would You Believe” / “Baby Come Home”
21st Century Records 602: “Do Christmas Trees Really Grow” / “Music to Watch Christmas Trees Grow”
21st Century Records 603: “Take It From Me Girl” / “LA”
“Appearing as the B-side to their first single, “Baby Come On” is an exhilarating blast of rock from Chicopee, Massachusetts ‘The Buck Rogers Movement’. While elements of ‘Psychedelia’ seep into the track, its rave-up pace keeps it firmly in the garage rock wheelhouse. There’s some impressive musicianship as well – not always a given in these kind of recordings – particularly in the wildly fluid bass line that runs throughout.” - astroturf78 – 6/ 26 /2022
The Tragedy Of The Buck Rogers Movement on 21st Century - By Chris Bishop
https://garagehangover.com/the-tragedy-of-the-buck-rogers-movement-on-21st-century/