Sonny Geraci was an American singer, best known as the lead singer of musical groups The Outsiders and Climax. He had a successful career in the 1960s and 1970s, with hits such as “Time Won’t Let Me”, “Respectable”, “Girl in Love”, and “Precious and Few”. He also performed under the pseudonym Peter Emmett and was an honorary member of The Grass Roots. He was hailed by many as the most versatile singer and performer in the business. However, his life was cut short by a brain aneurysm that left him incapacitated for nearly five years. Here is the story of his life, his music, and his tragic death.
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Early Life and Career with The Outsiders
Sonny Geraci was born as Emmett Peter Geraci on November 22, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the son of Emmett Geraci and Rose Teresi, who were of Italian descent. He grew up listening to Motown, the British invasion, and the music of the 1950s. He started singing in a band called the Starfires in 1964, which later changed its name to The Outsiders. The band recorded for Capitol Records and had four Top 40 hits, including “Time Won’t Let Me”, which reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. The song was written by Tom King, the guitarist of the band, and his brother-in-law Chet Kelley. The song was notable for its horn section, which was arranged by Chuck Mangione. The Outsiders also had success with “Respectable (What Kind of Girl Is This)”, a cover of The Isley Brothers’ song, which reached #15 in 1966, “Girl in Love”, which reached #21 in 1967, and “Help Me Girl”, which reached #37 in 1966. The band was known for its energetic live performances and its blend of rock, pop, and soul.
Solo Career and Success with Climax
In 1969, Sonny Geraci left The Outsiders and pursued a solo career. He signed with ABC Records and released a few singles, but none of them charted. He then joined a group called Climax, which was formed by producer and songwriter Larry Cox. Climax had its breakthrough in 1971, when it released “Precious and Few”, a ballad written by Walter D. Nims, the guitarist of the group. The song was a huge hit, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Cash Box Top 100 in 1972. The song sold over a million copies and was certified gold by the RIAA. It was also covered by many artists, such as Andy Williams, Petula Clark, and Johnny Mathis. Climax released its debut album, “Climax featuring Sonny Geraci”, in 1972, which included “Precious and Few” and another hit, “Life and Breath”, which reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, the group did not have any more success and disbanded in 1975. A second album of material was almost completed but never released.
Comeback Attempt and Later Years
In 1983, Sonny Geraci assumed the pseudonym Peter Emmett for an MCA project called “The Peter Emmett Story”. The album was intended as a comeback vehicle for Geraci, and he was backed in the studio by Donnie Iris’s band, The Cruisers. The album featured songs written by Iris, Mark Avsec, and others. However, the album did not sell well and was soon forgotten. A band called North Coast, pictured on the album sleeve, was put together after the recording had been made with The Cruisers. The band played shows in the Cleveland/Akron area before disbanding a few years later. In 2002, Geraci filled in for his friend Rob Grill as lead vocalist for The Grass Roots and became an honorary member of the band. The Grass Roots were a popular group in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with hits such as “Midnight Confessions”, “Let’s Live for Today”, and “Temptation Eyes”. Geraci performed with them until 2007, when he started to tour under the name “Sonny Geraci and The Outsiders”. He also performed as a solo artist, singing his hits and covers of other artists. He was praised by fans and critics for his versatility, charisma, and vocal range.
Brain Aneurysm and Death
In April 2012, Sonny Geraci suffered a brain aneurysm, specifically a cerebral arteriovenous malformation, which is a tangle of abnormal blood vessels in the brain. He required intensive care and was unable to speak or move. His family and friends launched a website, “Help Sonny Geraci”, to raise funds for his medical expenses and to provide updates on his condition. They also organized a benefit concert for him in November 2013, which featured several musicians and groups, such as The Rip Chords, Dennis Tufano, Gary Lewis, Frank Stallone, Gary DeCarlo, Joey Molland, Terry Sylvester, Billy Joe Royal, Ron Dante, Pat Upton, Jim Gold, The Shadows of Knight, The Michael Weber Show, Johnny Farina, The Vogues, and the 1910 Fruitgum Company. The concert was a success and raised over $50,000 for Geraci. However, Geraci never recovered from his brain injury and died on February 5, 2017, at the age of 70. He was buried at Knollwood Cemetery in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his daughter, Brianna, his son, Justin, and his grandchildren.
