FRANK PUSATERI - BMHOF CLASS OF 1991

On February 9,1964 “Only Frank” Pusateri watched The Ed Sullivan Show as The Beatles performed and changed the course of his life. He immediately tried songwriting, singing and saving some money to get a cheap acoustic guitar from a local pawn shop. He knew nothing about playing the guitar. He was self taught and got a lot better ‘playing by ear’.

Frank hooked up with another aspiring guitarist Rufus Campbell and they wrote a song “AND IN YOUR EYES” for keyboard master Jimmy Wozniak’s band “THE RUBBER BAND”.  As Frank and Rufus honed their basement band skills, it wasn’t until he was 18 at The Barrelhead in W. Seneca, NY watching a band that played 6 nights a week there that a ‘break’ came. The band (ironically also called RUFUS) was disbanding and looking for a guitarist and bassist. Challenge accepted. Frank switched to bass because he wanted to be in the band. That was the inception of what became “JAMBO”, one of Buffalo’s top pioneering original and cover bands. In a chance gig meeting, Frank met and was mentored by Billy Sheehan, Talas bassist extraordinaire. There was a lot to be learned and Billy knew what Frank needed to know. After a number of personnel changes, Jambo became a quartet.

Jambo was winning awards from various contests by local radio stations 97 Rock, WPHD, WuWu & played “A-DAY” at The Holiday Showcase with other Buffalo band favorites: The Road, Weekend, and Talas under the watchful eye of Fred Caserta (Great Lakes Booking, Kingdom Bound) and their personal manager Michael Rozniak. They served as the opening act for such notables as Triumph, Head East, Crack The Sky, Joey Molland’s Badfinger, Leslie West’s Mountain, Brownsville Station, Brand X & others while also playing a plethora of charity and fundraising events, too numerous to mention. 

One in particular hosted and organized by “JAMBO” with their guests and friends “TALAS” was at The Century Theater with over 3,000 in attendance. All for charity. Jambo recorded a 45rpm record Frank wrote called “SO YOU WANT TO BE A DANCER” which got local airplay selling a couple thousand copies. Jambo had 24 recorded original songs (in the ‘70’s) all written by the members, which individually represented each of their own tastes and ideas. 

Still, musical differences broke up the band in 1978 and brothers Tom & Bob Makar left to form “CHEEKS” while Frank & Ken helped form the new “SKY” with David Nehrboss (guitar, vox), Sherry Hackett (keys, vox), Al Hury (drums). Eventually, Sherry was replaced with Paul Rizzo (keys, vox). After 3-4 years of playing ‘A clubs’, every major event in Buffalo and opening for a number of nationals, this version of Sky disbanded. Ken went on to form “FAT BRAT” and Frank “LIONS”. 

After Lions broke up, Frank took a sabbatical from playing live shows and spent the time in his LionsHeart Recording Studio recording a number of tunes that caught the ear of an independent Canadian label EMQ RECORDS in Quebec, distributed by POLYGRAM. Ray Wood called saying he was forming a  new group and asked if Frank was interested. Frank explained he would ‘short term’ but wouldn't be able to stay because of upcoming tour commitments. “ONLY HUMEN” was formed. 

Frank was going to need a touring band to support the tune he wrote, “Nickel Millionaire'' so he was forming the band around what was needed for the tour. A female singer was needed to perform the newly recorded songs. Enter Cheri Mazlowski (keys, vox) and exit Bruce Morgan, replaced by Rick McEvoy. Then came a let down. The president of EMQ Quebec dies of a massive heart attack. This canceled the record release and subsequent tour. Moving forward, Frank and Ray got Bruce Morgan to rejoin and that was the band version that was inducted in 1995.

There have been a series of player changes in Only Humen over the years and too numerous to mention everyone. Most notably but not in any particular order: Jerry Augustyniak (drums, vox, 10,000 Maniacs), Paul Varga (drums, vox, Talas), Maria Sebastian (guitar, vox, 10,000 Maniacs), Ken Wilczak (guitar, vox, Fat Brat), Guitarists Mick Hayes, Mike Runo, Justin Kubiak, Dustin Francis, Joe Shanahan; Saxmen Jack Prybylski, Al Kroll, Frank Pusateri Jr; Drummers Al Hury, Rick McEvoy, Jim Hathaway. As bassist and leader for Only Humen, Frank was voted top pop rock bass player 1988 thru 1990 and inducted in 1991. Only Humen was inducted in 1995.

Only Frank had worked and shaped an acoustic based duo, The Dooleys, in their early days, teaching them harmony singing, song structure and recording techniques. Their first 45rpm record was called “Fonda North Tonawanda” b/w “Totally Terrific Tonawanda” on LionsHeart Records, Only Frank’s indie label. Frank was the third voice and guitar, rounding out the singing Dooley trio until his Only Humen chore’s greatly outweighed his Dooley commitments. They’ve put a song Frank wrote, “SEEING THE INVISIBLE” on their cd and in their live show performances. As a result of The Dooleys early nurturing and subsequent continuation of writing, singing, recording and charity work, The Dooleys have been inducted into the BMHOF CLASS OF 2022. Only Frank with them for induction #3. 

Only Ray & Only Frank (referred to as ‘Only Two Men’ in their acoustic shows), were a busy duo throughout WNY. They opened for ‘60’s recording artists, The Mamas and The Papas (‘California Dreaming’, ‘Monday, Monday’ and many more) with John Phillips at ‘Thursday in the Square’. Since those days Ray temporarily moved out of town and Frank carries on the Only Humen band as well as his own solo/duo act called “ONLY FRANK & FRIENDS ACOUSTIC MADNESS SHOW’ featuring himself and a guest artist.

Only Frank gives lessons on guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums and vocals at LIONSHEART RECORDING STUDIO, in Lancaster. He also produces and records bands (Only Humen/”So’R’ U”/ “Six of One, Half Dozen of  The Other” / “Slightly Twisted Fiction”; Michael Bly “Stay True”; Jace Steel; The Crossover Blues Band), jingles (Pop Rocks/Rich Products, Tanning Bed, Willoughby Insurance), themes, weddings, movie scores, personalized telephone answering messages (Schuster Construction LLC, Murray Roofing) and original music for aerobic workouts locally (Robbie (Miller) Raugh) and for a company in Maryland, Power Productions, where he has music on aerobic workout media.

Only Frank has also written 8 pieces of music for a PBS DOCUMENTARY “UNIFORM BETRAYAL: RAPE IN THE MILITARY” earning him, in 2012, a group recipient coveted EMMY AWARD. Written and produced by Jennifer Molina & Sarah (Pusateri) Robinson. Easily a career high

While all this is going on, the ‘author’ Frank wrote a book to highlight his six month winning streak at casino slot games. An audio book following soon on Amazon Kindle. Book available now through Amazon.“ “ONLY” GAMBLING ”. 

Only Humen has recorded in New York City at Tony Bongiovi's recording studio, THE POWER STATION. Discovered and brought there by hit producer Steve Jerome (Walk Away Renee’, Pretty Ballerina, Popcorn, Snoopy and The Red Baron), Only Humen recorded 12 tracks, a combination of originals, covers and outside songwriters from NYC publishers. Jeff Munzert (TWO HILLS) recorded with them there. With more of a country pop sound envisioned, ERIC WEISBURG (Deliverance) played pedal steel on several tracks. 

Frank is currently working on a life’s project in the form of a musical called “IRELAND: EMERALD TO GOLD” preparing for stage play in the near future. As everyone was affected by the Covid Pandemic, Frank used the time in his studio to record all the instruments and vocals to a story line libretto he wrote about a family in Ireland in the early 1900’s. That’s still being developed, worked on and honed with the intention of live stage performance and video. 

July 16th,’22, Only Frank was invited by host Greg Hennessey to appear on “IN THE FLAMINGO LOUNGE” Podcast to broadcast verbally, much more of what you’ve read here. Give it a listen and fill in some of the missing pieces. 

Visit the website: www.OnlyFrank.com My Universe Says I Can    “Only Gambling” @ AmazonBooks.com