Chapter 12 – Gary Lewis & The Playboys

Gary Lewis & The Playboys. Left to right, John Dean, Billy Sullivan, Gary Lewis, Joe Chott, and Richard Spina – circa 1990.

The road to The Playboys for Richard began in the spring of 1986 when Richard was flown to Florida as an emergency replacement for a recently fired keyboardist. Coincidentally, Billy Sullivan (who had been playing with Gary at the time) was performing his last show with him. Richard stayed on doing spot gigs with Gary until his single “Somebody Loves You” was released later that summer. Over the next year Richard periodically kept in touch with Gary’s manager and in the fall of 1987, he called and asked Richard if he was interested in putting together a new version of The Playboys for Gary. Richard told him he already had a band together (Richard & The Heartbeats) and that Billy (to the managers delight) had just joined as their new guitarist. Now 32 years old, Richard was ripe for a change and being the keyboardist felt like the perfect challenge. So in February of 1988, Richard became the keyboardist/musical director of Gary Lewis & The Playboys. Billy Sullivan was on guitar with Joe Chott and John Dean filling out the line-up on drums and bass.

By 1990, Richard was not only Musical Director/keyboard player for Gary, but also his Road Manager. Gary Lewis had even started performing a Spina original live and even sang “Baby, I Know That You Lied” on his father’s Telethon on two occasions.

Gary Lewis & the Playboys backstage in Las Vegas at The Aladdin with Jerry Lewis – 1993

Working with Gary Lewis over the years has given Richard an amazing musical educational experience. In 1991 ex-Love Affair bandmate Mike Hudak replaced Chott on drums and in 1993 Paul Sidoti replaced John Dean on bass, who was replaced by Darren Frate in 1999.

Since The Playboys quickly became one of the best backing bands on the “Oldies” circuit, they ended up backing other touring acts on specific Since The Playboys quickly became one of the best backing bands on the “Oldies” circuit, they ended up backing other touring acts on specific dates and, sometimes, full tours. They became the backing band of choice for artists such as Mark Lindsay (ex-Paul Revere vocalist and solo artist), Lou Christie, Billy J Kramer, Mitch Ryder, Fabian, Tommy Roe and many others. And through the years, these artists have become friends as well as employers. “A lot of my musical heroes growing up have become my friends,” Richard said recently.

Gary Lewis & the Playboys. Left to Right, Darren Frate, Mike Hudak, Billy Sullivan, Gary Lewis, Richard Spina – August 2001.

Another highlight from Richard’s 14 years with Gary Lewis was his recent gig as Best Man in Gary’s marriage to the former Donna Grow!