SJHS 1970s band The Mad Circus reuniting
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
HAMMONTON—St. Joseph
High School Football teammates
who were also known in the 1970s
as The Mad Circus have decided to
reunite after 40 years to play to
benefit St. Joe Football coached for
many years by their good friend,
Coach Paul Sacco. Mad Circus
bandmates Joe Amedio, Charlie
Berenato, Lou and Joe Pantalone
will recreate the vintage high
school Saturday night dance parties
at their old high school, currently
the site of St. Joseph Elementary
School, located at 133 N. Third St.
on February 20 at 7 p.m. Tickets
are $40 each.
The band played together in the
‘70s and covered a range from the
classes of 1970 through 1979. On
a Saturday night at that time, the
gym would be packed with not
only St. Joe students but also a
faithful
following
from
Hammonton,
Oakcrest
and
Edgewood high schoolers as well
as many followers from the Atco
area.
Saturday night at the St. Joe
gym was the place to be and was
well before cell phones, X-box and
social media.
Lou Pantalone, who also is well
known around town as a
pyrotechnic expert, expects that
there will be a different type of
fireworks on February 20:
“There will be fireworks of a
different kind that evening when
this massive reunion unfolds,” Lou
Pantalone said.
The band has been hearing
stories from its followers of that is
where “I first asked my special
girl, now my wife, to dance” or “I
was inspired to play a musical
instrument because of the band’s
popularity.” The Mad Circus was
the popular local entertainment of
the time.
For many years, all four
members have been approached
by classmates, alumni and friends
who grew up with the band about
the possibility of a reunion.
Although bantered about by the
DiMeglio Septic,
Est. 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio
Courtesy Photo
Join The Mad Circus (pictured in the 1970s) on February 20.
guys at one time or another it same neighborhood as the
wasn’t until early 2015 that the Pantalones, said he is looking
forward to the event.
discussion became reality.
“That night should be great for
At that time, there was a St. Joe
alumni function at the Tropicana all St. Joe alumni that grew up in
Casino in Atlantic City attended by that era. We are all looking forward
Charlie Berenato and Lou to reliving our youth with these
Pantalone. They are credited with guys that were so much a part of
acting on the urging of others to the fun times we had in high
make the event happen. The other school. To have the proceeds
to
our
program
members of the band when hearing donated
of the idea graciously agreed, and specifically and the St. Joe School
they have been preparing to cover system in general is an added
the same tunes they performed bonus,” Sacco said.
Tickets are still available by
years ago.
Coach Paul Sacco, who was in contacting Lou Pantalone (lou.
high school with the band members [email protected]) or Joe
during that time and grew up in the Pantalone at ([email protected]).
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