Groovy 60s rock/pop: #13 "Kind of a Drag" The Buckinghams (1967)

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For one glorious year in 1967 the Buckinghams were practically the most heard band in the US with five top 12 hits including the monster gold #1 “Kind of a Drag.” The group began life in 1966 as the Pulsations in Chicago. Their prize for winning a local battle of the bands was a stint as house band on WEN’s variety show “All-Time Hit.” At this time it was suggested they change their name to the British sounding Buckinghams thus being marketed as Chicago’s answer to the British invasion. The title track to their debut album, “Kind of a Drag” was written by James Holvay and sung by guitarist Carl Giammarese. Despite success, the band suffered continual turmoil and turnover. They fought against the recording company forcing a psychedelic edge to their hit “Susan.” The failure of their fourth album prompted disbanding in 1970. The Buckinghams reunited in 1980 and has been playing the nostalgia circuit ever since.