WWW.BILLYSULLIVAN.COM 33 Years of Rock n Roll!! The official online home for BILLY SULLIVAN
 
 
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Billy's tenure with Gary Lewis & the Playboys started back in February 1986. The end of 1985, former Paul Pope bassist Bill Vendetti had the task of forming a new version of "Playboys" for Gary Lewis. Billy Sullivan's love for 60's music was the main reason for Bill Vendetti to contact Billy for a slot in the band. Billy Sullivan at the time was involved in a recording project and was signed to a management contract which involved a monthly paycheck. When management failed to pay Billy his monthly wage, Billy told them that he was leaving for Portugal with Gary Lewis!! Billy played drums in the early days of the new Playboys. The band consisted of Billy on drums, Gary Lewis on guitar, Bill Vendetti on bass and Mark Addison on keyboards. That version of the band did two road trips. A week in Kansas City and then on to the Azores of Portugal. While overseas, Billy's 1985 recording of "Never Again {Without You}" was starting to take off on Cleveland radio station WMMS 100.7. Since Billy was legally still under contract with his management company, he had to resume his previous position. Billy finished out one more gig for Gary Lewis that year in Jacksonville, FLA. An outdoor oldies festival with Gary Lewis, Freddie Cannon, Alex Chilton. Since the Playboys had to back up all the artist, Billy was moved to the lead guitar position {his main instrument!}and a Cleveland drummer named Jeff Cubas took the drum slot. Filling in on keyboards for the first time was former "Love Affair" frontman Rich Spina. Billy finished out his contract with his management co. and was a free agent at the end of 1987. Billy was playing small acoustic gigs with Rich Spina around that time. Rich contacted Gary's then manager to let him know that himself and Billy were playing together and would Gary need a band? 1988 started the fulltime tenure with Gary Lewis & the Playboys. The band members changed through out the years but the main core of this version of the Playboys was Rich Spina & Billy. Billy & Rich remained fulltime members with Gary up until November 2004. Due to unfortunate circumstances, the long time 18 year Cleveland version of the "Playboys" was no more. Billy was never comfortable with that decision. Billy was the only member to stay in contact and maintain a friendship with Gary. While on tour with the Raspberries in 2005, Gary contacted Billy once again to play drums with the Playboys. The new lineup along with Gary consist of Nashville musicians Nick Rather on bass and vocals, Bryan Fox on keys, drums and vocals,  and Billy once again on drums, guitar and vocals. This new lineup is stronger than ever!

Gary Lewis & the Playboys 1993 with Gary's father, Jerry Lewis

Gary Lewis & the Playboys lineups during Billy's tenure:

January ,February  1986- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Billy Sullivan {drums, guitar, vocals}, Bill Vendetti {bass guitar vocals}, Mark Addison {keys, vocals}

March 1986- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar}, Billy Sullivan {lead guitar, vocals}, Rich Spina {keyboards, vocals},  Bill Vendetti {bass guitar, vocals},  Jeff Cubas {drums}

January 1988 to May 1991- Gary Lewis { lead vocals, guitar, drums} Billy Sullivan {lead guitar, vocals}, Rich Spina {keyboards, vocals},  Joe Chot {drums}, John Dean {bass guitar}

June 1991 to August 1993- Gary Lewis { lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Billy Sullivan {lead guitar, vocals},  Rich Spina {keyboards, vocals}, John Dean { bass guitar}, Mike Hudak {drums}

September 1993 to May 1999- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Billy Sullivan {lead guitar, vocals}, Rich Spina {keyboards, vocals}, Mike Hudak {drums}, Paul Sidoti, {bass guitar}

June 1999 to November 2004- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Billy Sullivan {lead guitar, vocals}, Rich Spina {keyboards, vocals}, Mike Hudak {drums}, Darren Frate {bass guitar}

July 2005 to September 2006- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums},  Brad Henderson {lead guitar, vocals}, Nick Rather {bass guitar, vocals}, Bryan Fox {keyboards, flute, vocals}, Billy Sullivan {drums, guitar, vocals}

October 2006 to May 2007- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Matt Grant {lead guitar, vocals}, Nick Rather {bass guitar, vocals}, Bryan Fox {keyboards, flute, vocals}, Billy Sullivan {drums, guitar, vocals}

June 2007 to October 2007- Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Matt Grant {lead guitar, guitar synth, vocals}, Nick Rather {bass guitar, vocals}, Billy Sullivan {drums, guitar, vocals}

November 2007 to present-  Gary Lewis {lead vocals, guitar, drums}, Nick Rather {bass guitar, vocals}, Bryan Fox {keyboards, drums, vocals}, Billy Sullivan {drums, lead guitar, guitar synth, vocals}

Music Director, Road Manager for Gary Lewis from January 1988 thru November 2004-  Rich Spina

Music Director, Road Manager for Gary Lewis from October 2005 to present- Billy Sullivan

Gary & Billy in 2002
Gary & Billy 2003

Billy, Gary Lewis & Playboys with New Hampshire Governor John Lynch and his first lady Dr. Susan Lynch at their Inaugural Ball, January 6, 2007
Billy on drums with Gary Lewis in Denver 2005