Dakota, the Buoys & Timothy

The year 2021 marks the 50^th anniversary of the disturbing song “Timothy.” Banned by radio stations and called "the worst song ever recorded," its lyrics about cannibalism in a Pennsylvania coal mine eerily parallel the real-life Sheppton disaster. Written by playwright Rupert Holmes, the Billboard hit launched the career of The Buoys. They went on to perform at the legendary Whisky a Go Go, Stone Balloon, and the Satsop River Festival which they kicked off in front of 150,000 fans. The Buoys toured the Netherlands, got hustled in a pool game with Sly Stone—before his massive ten-mile traffic jam, hung out with Blue Öyster Cult—before their riot at the Kingston Armory, received a lecture on libertarianism from musical genius Frank Zappa, and were mentored by Delaney Bramlett—before cocaine ruined his life. 

Morphing into Dakota, and produced by Chicago’s Danny Seraphine and Rufus’s Hawk Woliinski, the band played on the same stage as the Beach Boys during the national Bicentennial Celebration. They were invited to replace the Pure Prairie League’s Vince Gill and joined Freddie Mercury and Queen on a sold-out 35-city tour ending in a three-day standing-room-only Madison Square Garden concert. Here is the story of an amazing American AOR band with more than ten recorded albums who, despite the infamous “Dakota Curse” and the Coal Region Hoodoo, achieved acclaim in Europe, Korea, and Japan. Their story also depicts a cautionary tale of substance abuse, the pitfalls of fame, and the true price of the rock and roll fantasy. 

by Maxim W. Furek
Page Count: 356
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Publish Date: October 27, 2021
Imprint: Sunbury Press
Genre: Biography 

MUSIC / Genres & Styles / Rock
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Music
SELF-HELP / Substance Abuse & Addictions / General

"I’m happy to say I just finished a great book by my old friend Maxim Furek and would strongly encourage anyone with an appreciation for the wonderful music that has come out of the Wyoming Valley/Scranton area to pick it up!  

Max has done some extensive research in preparing this read and has put together quite a collection of facts and interesting stories that are engaging as well as fun to read. He provides insights into what it must have been like to be one of those competitive bands playing at high school dances, honing their craft, and challenging those who were drawing the most teen fans.  

For the Buoys, Jerry-Kelly Band, and Dakota it was where it all began! Be sure to check it out." Bill Kelly, former lead singer of The Buoys who recorded the hit song “Timothy.” 

"Rock music critic and journalist Maxim Furek’s Somebody Else’s Dream offers a grateful appreciation of the musical heritage of Northeastern Pennsylvania musicians who, though many dreamed of fame and success, all sang and played their music for the joy of their own collective performances and the desire to entertain audiences, no matter how large or small, in whatever venue they found themselves.
Moreover, Furek’s book also presents a history, first and foremost, of rock music in Northeastern Pennsylvania, from the early days of pioneering acts in the 1950s to the passing of Jerry Hludzik, a key member of The Buoys and Dakota rock bands, in 2020. Indeed, Somebody Else’s Dream brings vividly to life a chronicle of musical legacies and pays tribute to artists who fell in love with their craft and never really fell out of love with it. Too often, their stories have been untold or underappreciated, due to the more visible and more celebrated musical acts in larger metropolitan centers such as Philadelphia and New York.
The layout of Furek’s book allows readers to read straight through or to browse the headlines and headliners that span 70 years in the hotbed of rock music in the Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Hazleton areas. In this regard, the copious photographs and numerous quotations from the individuals who created the vibrant rock scene enhance the vitality of this admirable chronicle. The pictures of and comments from Joe Nardone, Bill Kelly, Rupert Holmes, and so many others in the book grants them a special dimension that allows them to cling to our memories long after the last page has been read." Ted Billy, Emeritus Professor of Engish

"If you ever wondered what it takes to make it in the music business this book is for you. Somebody Else’s Dream follows the rise of northeastern Pennsylvania rock band The Buoys and their breakout success with the hit song Timothy. However, it takes more than talent to rise to the highest levels of the music industry. The Buoys and the follow-up incarnation, Dakota, never got the break that they needed at the time that they needed it. Misfortune and bad timing seem to follow the band at every turn. The trials and pitfalls of the journey are well described in this book.
If you are any kind of a music fan, Max Furek’s book will not disappoint!" Ed Murphy