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Note: For the best viewing experience, please set your monitor pixel resolution to 1024 X 768.  Move your bottom scrollbar to the right to follow the band's history from their first paid gig in 1975 to their most recent milestone.  Click on any photo to enlarge it.  All links will open in a new page, so just close the links to return to your place in the time capsule.

1975

• 1st paid engagement, for the Girl Scouts of America.  (Dave Caruso: "They probably thought they were hiring four boy scouts.  By the look of this picture, we probably were!")

• 1st local newspaper article: "Brothers Form Band" (see picture above)

• 1st concert: Trenton Theatre

• In September, Mike, Joe and Dave attend Trenton High School together.  Mike is a senior, Joe's a sophomore and Dave's a freshman.  In the THS Marching band, Mike plays trumpet, Joe plays clarinet and Dave plays snare drum.

• 3 live CARUSO performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Joe, Rob, Dave and Mike Caruso

• Neighbor Debbie Lawrence creates the first of 3 sets of custom shirts for the four-brother group.  (Rob Caruso: "Hey, with shirts like those, who needs gigs?")

• First promotional photo session at Elizabeth Park in Trenton (see picture above).

• The brothers get their first van, and start purchasing equipment instead of renting.  Rob gets his first (and only) professional drum set.

• First known videos are taken of the the band (no sound).  One video shows the band performing in their basement for a small group of friends.  See the video.

• A second video was made of the boys playing at Debbie Lawrence's parents' 25th wedding anniversary.  See the video.

• Mike, the oldest member of the band, graduates from Trenton HS.  In the Fall, he attends University of Michigan-Dearborn.

• 15 live CARUSO performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Rob, Joe, Mike and Dave Caruso

1977

1st Single: "The Fastest Song Ever Written" / "What Time Is It Now?"

• Dave finishes 6 years of piano lessons.

• Joe graduates from Trenton High School.  He chooses Central Michigan University, where he will compete for and win the position of drum major in the CMU marching band.

Pictured: (l-r): Joe, Dave (with guitar),
Rob (bottom) and Mike Caruso.

1978

2nd Single: "The Game" / "Rainy Day Lullaby"

• Caruso plays at Michigan State Fair

• The band is now performing mostly at wedding receptions and private parties.  (Dave Caruso: "Two of us were still underage to play in bars.")

• Caruso makes "The Auctioneer," a barbershop quartet song, a regular feature in their live show for years to come

• While attending school at CMU, Joe is diagnosed with testicular cancer.  After a long, torturous combination of chemotherapy and surgery, he eventually gets a clean bill of health. Luckily, due to the band's light schedule, Joe only misses one gig while recuperating.

• 21 live CARUSO performances this year

Pictured (l-r) Joe, Rob, Dave and Mike Caruso, seen in a
second set of shirts made for the boys by Debbie Lawrence.

1979

3rd Single: "Class Song" / "What've We Got to Lose?"

• Dave graduates from Trenton High School

• Dave writes "Class Song," which is selected as the class song for senior class the 1979; Dave plays it at their commencement ceremony.

• 1st High School show, at Bishop
  Gallagher in Detroit, MI

• 31 live performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Rob, Mike, Joe (bottom right) and Dave Caruso

1980

4th Single: "Someday" / "Quit Your Foolin'"

• After a string of short-term lead guitarists, Wally Piotrowski (a.k.a. Walter Anthony) becomes CARUSO's first full-time lead guitar player.

• High School dances begin to dominate the band's schedule

• First of many band posters

• Dave attends the University of Michigan-Dearborn, using a music scholarship from Trenton HS.  He studies music and English.

• 66 live performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Joe, Mike, Dave and Rob Caruso

• Caruso appears with Rick Springfield in downtown Detroit

• Cabrini High School seniors adopt "Class Song"; Dave plays it at commencements.

• 1st college performance: Eastern Michigan University

• The band begins regularly mailing photo-postcards to notify their growing following of their public appearances

• Rob Caruso, the youngest member of the band, graduates from Trenton High

Pictured (l-r): Joe, Dave, Rob and Mike Caruso

1982

5th Single: "She's in Love With You" / "Princess."

1st Videos: "In the City," "Let Me Go," "She's In Love With You" produced for NACA showcase. Director: Dennis Hamilton.

• Guitarist Jake Tobias

• First out-of-state show: Hyram College in Ohio, along with WV, PA, KY, NY

• 73 live performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Mike, Rob, Joe and Dave Caruso.
Photo by Shawn Parker

1983

Videos: "YYY," "Dance It Up" Director: Dennis Hamilton

• College shows and out-of-state appearances now dominate the band's schedule

• The band plays their first bar gig, and are promptly fired.  (Rob Caruso: "Maybe we should've worn our matching satin shirts...")

• 126 live performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Mike, Joe, Dave and Rob Caruso

1984

Miller Music On RCA Records includes CARUSO's "Princess"

• Miller High Life signs Caruso to the
  Miller Rock Network

• Corporate sponsorship by Shure, Hamer, Ensoniq, Fostex, Zildjian, Dean Markley, others

• RCA Records releases "Princess"

• 1st Canada show: The University of Windsor

• Overnight touring begins

• Bars and lounge gigs now regularly supplement the band's tour schedule

• 209 live performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Joe, Rob, Dave and Mike Caruso
 

• Out-of-state touring begins and tour lengths increase

• "She's In Love With You" / "Princess" begins to appear on college radio charts

• Nominated "Entertainers of
  the Year" by the NACA

• CARUSO opens for Joan Jett

• Guitarist Bradley Davenport joins the band from June 9, 1985 to August 16, 1986

• 241 live performances this year

Picture 1 (b&w, l-r): Dave, Rob, Joe and Mike Caruso
Picture 2 (color, l-r): Joe, Mike Rob and Dave Caruso

1986

1st Album: "The White Album"

Miller Music II On RCA Records includes CARUSO's "She's In Love With You"

Videos: "Modern Girl," "She's In Love With You (Milwaukee Version)" Director: Kevin Mitchell

• CARUSO celebrates their 1,000th show with a live performance at Jaggers in Waterford, MI.

• RCA Records releases "She's in Love With You"

• NACA nominates Caruso for their Campus Entertainment Award

• Caruso opens for John "Dark Side" Cafferty and Corey Hart

• 249 live performances this year.  The band is now on the road so often, the self-booked band creates and distributes itineraries for the band and crew, detailing all aspects of each road trip.

Picture 1 (l-r): Joe, Dave, Rob and Mike Caruso
Picture 2 (l-r): Joe, Mike Rob and Dave Caruso

1987

2nd Album: "In the Face"

6th Single: "London" / "Young & Tender"

• Lee Thomas assumes the lead guitar duties for the band

• Nominated for another Campus Entertainment Award by NACA

• Caruso opens for Foghat

• Dave gets married on September 5th.  Rob and Lee Thomas play the Genesis song, "Follow You, Follow Me" at the wedding ceremony.  See the picture.

• 226 live performances this year

Pictured (l-r): Mike, Dave, Joe and Rob Caruso

• After 12 years, Dave leaves the group on January 3rd.  Lee Thomas stays on as the band's lead guitarist.

• The band's 1,500th live performance is celebrated

• Caruso begins recording demos for their upcoming album.  Rob becomes the band's new lead singer and songwriter, recording demos in Dave's studio while Dave and guitarist Lee Thomas co-write a few numbers.

• Dave plays piano bar for Colombo's restaurant.  See the pictures.

• Dave records 2 videos and an interview for Wyandotte Cable.

Pictured (l-r): Joe Caruso, Lee Thomas, Rob and Mike Caruso

1989

3rd Album: "I Love You...and Other Stories"

• Guitarist Arnie Newman

• 1st Issue of CARUSO band Newsletter: !Celebrate' la Vita!

• Dave's newsletter, "Aural Contact," premieres in June

• Guitarist Arnie Newman replaces Lee Thomas

• The band appears on PBS TV show "Club Connect"

• CARUSO earns a Main Stage Showcase at the NACA
  CARUSO appears at the NACA National Convention in Nashville

• Dave begins playing solo shows at various clubs and restaurants

• Dave warms up for the new Caruso band at their local appearances.  See the pictures.

• Dave writes music articles for Transoniq Hacker and Gig Magazine

• Dave records 2 more videos and an interview for Wyandotte cable

Picture1 (l-r): Joe, Mike and Rob Caruso, Arnie Newman
Picture 2 (l-r): Joe and Rob Caruso, Arnie Newman, Mike Caruso

• Guitarist Allen Liggett replaces Arnie Newman

• Caruso opens for New Kids on the Block

• On October 28th, The Allen Park Symphony performs a Halloween oratorio with Caruso, written specifically around their album, "I Love You...and Other Stories."  Dave Caruso is a guest performer.  In addition to playing all of the songs from the album with special symphonic arrangements by conductor Jim Hamman, Caruso sings Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair."  For the encore, Joe plays a classical clarinet solo, and the group performs "London."  Read the story.

• Dave continues to warm up for the band whenever they play locally, through 1991

• Joe creates the Caruso Leadership Institute to support his growing career as a speaker and writer.

• Dave's now playing his solo show several nights a week for a series of Michigan restaurants, including 71 dates for the Carlos Murphy's restaurant chain in Southfield, Michigan and Escondido, California

• Dave performs at Michigan colleges. including Wayne State University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Oakland Community College, Lawrence Technological Institute and Wayne State University

1991

Video / Retrospective: "Young and Tender" Produced by Debbie Malchie & Dave Caruso

• Guitarist Randy Casquejo and keyboardist Rob Casquejo replace guitarist Allen Liggett.

• The band now consists of two sets of brothers, whose last name begins with "C" and ends with "O."  (Rob Caruso: "We were brothers from different mothers.")

• The band begins frequently featuring their dad, Mickey Caruso, on trumpet

• Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, MI hires Rob as a percussion instructor for their marching band.

Picture 1 (front row): Mike and Rob Caruso
 (back row) Rob Casquejo, Rob Caruso, and Joe Caruso
Picture 2: Rob Caruso, Randy Casquejo, Joe Caruso,
Rob Caruso (below right) and Randy Casquejo

• Ruth Caruso, the boys' mom, loses her battle to lung cancer on March 14th.  Ruth had proudly supported her sons' band.  She was active as a school parent and she was instrumental in bringing big bands to Trenton High to perform through the Big Band Boosters organization.

• CARUSO begins performing less often.

• Dave and Rob Caruso form "Mr. Happy & The Imposters" (later shortened to just "The Imposters") with Caruso guitarist Walter Anthony and bassist Richard "Quinn" Quenneville.  Joe Caruso and Mickey Caruso, the boys' dad, often drop by and sit in on saxophone and trumpet.  The band specializes in classic rock.  See the pictures.

• "A Crude Interest" gives Dave a chance to play an eclectic mix of alternative music with friends Eric Freeman (drums), Ralph Koschnitzke (keys & vocals), Tracey Flynn (vocals) and Nick Piunti (guitar).  See the pictures.

Pictured (back row, l-r): Mike and Joe Caruso
(front row): Dave, Mickey, Ruth and Rob Caruso

• Rob is married on August 7th.  The Imposters plus Joe and Mickey Caruso, J.C. Unger and others  jam at the wedding reception (above).

• "The Imposters" perform for the last time on April 17th.

• Rob Casquejo marks his last year with the band.

Pictured (l-r): Richard "Quinn" Quenneville,
Joe Caruso, Wally Piotrowski

• May 15th: Mike, Joe, Dave, Rob, and their dad, Mickey Caruso, perform their first full-length show together in 8 years, in a reunion at the Sportsman's Den.  Also appearing are Wally Piotrowski and Rob Casquejo

• November 5th: Mike, Dave and Rob Caruso form a trio project, called "Plan 9."  Joe and Mickey Caruso sit in as the band's horn section.  See the pictures.

Pictured (l-r): Joe, Mike, Mickey and Rob Caruso

• Dave appears semi-regularly at "The Grind" coffee house in Wyandotte, MI.  Joe, Rob and their Dad Mickey make appearances, as well as members of "A Crude Interest."  See the pictures.

• "Caruso Trio," another side project, features Mike and Rob Caruso with guitarist Wally Piotrowski

• Wyandotte's Roosevelt High School Marching Band promotes Rob from Percussion Instructor to Band Director

• Natalie Caruso, Rob's first child is born on March 26th

• Dave is divorced after 7 years of marriage

Pictured (l-r) Rob and Dave Caruso

• Dave and Rob Caruso form "Mr. Happy," a new trio with longtime Caruso friend and guitarist Jake Tobias.  Dave learns to play bass guitar and alternates between bass, guitar and keyboards during the show.  See the pictures.

• Rob calls on all band alumni from all previous years to join the current Roosevelt Marching Band in a parade.  This includes Mickey Caruso, who played the trumpet in high school at Roosevelt.

• On August 27th, President Clinton visits Wyandotte.  Rob leads the RHS Marching Band in playing "Hail to the Chief" and Clinton shakes Rob's hand as he walks to the podium to deliver a speech.  This will be Rob's final year as Director.

• On September 9th, Rob and his wife have a second baby, Julie.  Rob asks to be replaced in "Mr. Happy."  Jake invites Chris Wietzke to step in on drums.

• On November 2nd, Mike, Rob and Dave join area dignitaries, clients and friends to roast their brother Joe for his birthday

• Final issue of Dave's "Aural Contact" newsletter

Pictured (l-r): Mike, Dave & Rob Caruso

• Mr. Happy gains exposure (it's not what you think!) at several new clubs in Michigan

• Dave and Rob Caruso make plans to team up with friends Kevin Holevar and Keith Saxton for "H'Oliver Twist," an alternative hits band.  Before the band can have its first rehearsal, Rob receives an attractive offer for a job opportunity in Houston, Texas.

• Mike creates a new company, The Edison House, to promote his speaking engagements and his writing

• Mickey Caruso, the boys' dad, dies on December 7th after an 11-week hospital stay.  Mickey had bought the band's first P.A., driven his 4 young sons to their first gigs and helped them make decisions in the music industry.  Rob and Dave sing Dan Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band" at his funeral.

• Rob leaves Michigan and relocates with his family to Houston, Texas on December 14th

pictured (l-r): Dave, Rob, Mickey (seated).
Joe and Mike Caruso

• Dave plays with "Mr. Happy" (the band) for the last time.  They re-group with Jeff Nolan, Diane Smith and later Tracey Flynn from "A Crude Interest."

• A re-tooled "H'Oliver Twist" debuts in March, with John Buffa assuming the drumming responsibilities. See the pictures.

• Rob plays a one-night show with "H'Oliver Twist."

pictured (l-r): Rob, Dave and Mike Caruso

1999

CD Single: "Class Song"

• On the song's 20th anniversary, Dave Caruso releases "Class Song," an extended-play CD.

• Dave creates the Aural Contact web site, which becomes DaveCarusoWeb.com, to support his original music projects.

• Joe is married in Italy on June 25th.  Joe and his new wife, Carol, hold a Michigan reception on August 23rd.  See the Rob, Joe and Dave picture.

• Dave starts yet another band, "The Room Upstairs."  This time Dave is joined by CARUSO guitarist / alum Walter Anthony and "A Crude Interest" drummer Eric Freeman for a mix of classic rock, oldies and some alternative music.  See the pictures.

• Dave joins "Mr. Happy" for a reunion show at Woody's Diner in Royal Oak, MI.

• Joe's wife Carol hires Dave as Vocal Director for musical theatre productions of "Cinderella" and "Annie" at Woodhaven High School.

Picture 1: Dave Caruso.  Photo by Larry Caruso.
Picture 2 (l-r): Rob, Dave & Mike Caruso

• On July 7th, Joe and Rob Caruso appear with Dave Caruso & The Room Upstairs at Memorial Park in Lincoln Park, MI.  See the pictures.

• That same weekend, Dave and Rob play at the Allen Park Bar in Allen Park, MI

• Dave returns to Woodhaven High School, this time as Vocal Director and Keyboardist for "Pippen"

Picture 1 (l-r): Dave and Joe Caruso.  Photo by Lori Juncaj.
Picture 2: Rob Caruso

• Dave hosts several solo concerts at Scalicis Lounge which feature several of his band mates from "A Crude Interest" and "Mr. Happy."  See the pictures.

• Dave begins entertaining as a dueling pianist.  He creates a new company called  Piano Wars! to support his dueling pianos ventures.  Dave's first dueling partner is Bill Jacques.

• Rob's company moves him to New Orleans.

• Dave returns with "Mr. Happy" for another reunion show at Woody's Diner in Royal Oak, MI

• Dave creates a Songwriting Workshop for young songwriters and presents it for the students at Boyd Arthurs Middle School in Trenton, MI.  See the pictures.

Pictured: Dave Caruso

• On December 27th, Mike, Joe and Rob Caruso stop in to see Dave Caruso & Bill Jacques in the Piano Wars! dueling pianos show.  By this time, Dave, Rob and Joe have played together at several Piano Wars! shows and with The Room Upstairs.  The boys begin talking about a possible CARUSO reunion show.  See more pictures.

• Dave learns to play drums

• More songwriting clinics by Dave at Boyd Arthurs Middle School in Trenton and Allen Park High School

• Joe asks Dave to write and record the music theme for his Detroit Public Television WTVS 56 program, "The Power of Losing Control."  DPT likes the song and commissions Dave to write a theme for a second program.

Pictured (l-r): Dave, Rob, Mike and Joe Caruso.
Photo by Lori Juncaj.

2003

CD Anthology: "Caruso: The Albums, 1986 - 1989"

 

Video / Retrospective: "The Boys are Back" CARUSO / Dave Caruso

• On July 13th, Joe, Dave and Rob Caruso host a Caruso reunion performance at Pier 500, along with Caruso band members Bradley Davenport, Jake Tobias, Wally Piotrowski, Rob Casquejo and special guest Nick Piunti.  See the pictures.

• The CARUSO band releases a compilation album called "Caruso: The Albums, 1986-89," containing tracks from their three albums.

Picture 1 (l-r): Joe, Rob and Dave Caruso
Picture 2 (l-r): Dave and Rob Caruso
Picture 3 (l-r): Dave and Joe Caruso, Pier 500 Owner
Richard El-Awad, Rob Caruso

2004

CD Single: "Elizabeth Parker"

• Dave releases his CD single, "Elizabeth Parker"

• On Saturday, July 17th, Caruso performs at an all-ages concert at Elizabeth Park in Trenton.  The afternoon concert was sponsored by Wayne County Parks and featured Dave and Rob Caruso, Jake Tobias and Walter Anthony.  See the pictures.

• On that same evening Caruso play a second concert at Scalici's Lounge in Allen Park, MI.  The set list included Caruso originals and covers, along with new songs from Dave's upcoming album.  See the pictures.

• Rob appears with Dave for the Port Huron to Mackinac boat races.  See the pictures.

• Dave appears weekly at Hickey's Grill in Woodhaven, MI, Pub 13 in Ypsilanti and several other clubs, including Rum Bullions in Reno, Nevada

Picture 1 (l-r): Dave & Rob Caruso, Jake Tobias at Elizabeth Park
Photo by Dan Drotar
Picture 2 (l-r): Dave and Rob Caruso, Jake Tobias at Scalici's
Picture 3 (l-r): Mike, Dave, Joe & Rob Caruso

• Dave and Rob play again for the Port Huron to Mackinac Boat Races.  See the pictures.

• In February, Dave is promoted to dueling pianos Entertainment Director for Pub 13 in Ypsilanti, MI.  See the pictures.

Pictured (l-r): Dave and Rob Caruso.  Photo by Lori Juncaj.

• On May 18th, Dave, Rob and Joe Caruso play to a full house at Sibley's Hotel Grill.  They perform three eclectic hour-long sets packed with some of their favorite music on piano, guitar, drums, sax and congas.  See the pictures.

• Rum Runners USA hires Dave as dueling pianos Entertainment Director for their Mishawaka / South Bend store.  See the pictures for Mishawaka and South Bend.

• Dave gets a MySpace Music page

Picture 1 (l-r): Joe, Dave, Mike & Rob Caruso
Picture 2 (l-r): Joe, Rob and Dave Caruso
Picture 3 (l-r): Joe, Mike and Dave Caruso

2007

30 videos of Dave Caruso and the CARUSO band are added to The Music Of Dave Caruso web site.  See the videos.

• On July 15, Dave, Rob and Joe Caruso return to The Pier 500 with Jason Tobias on lead guitar, Nathan Montgomery on bass and Paul Bickel on trumpet, playing songs from their anthology CD and several of their favorite covers.  See the pictures.

• CARUSO videos appear on YouTube.

• Dave takes his Songwriting Clinic to the band students at Western Schools in Jackson, MI.  See the pictures.

Picture 1 (l-r): Joe, Rob and Dave Caruso
Photo by Lori Juncaj
Picture 2 (l-r): Dave, Joe and Rob Caruso

• For the 2008 CARUSO reunion show on August 1st, Dave and Rob Caruso bring back vocalist / bassist Richard "Quinn" Quenneville (The Imposters), guitarist and vocalist Walter Anthony (CARUSO / The Imposters / Caruso Trio / The Room Upstairs), drummer Eric Freeman (A Crude Interest / The Room Upstairs) and guitarist Lee Thomas (CARUSO).  Joe Caruso adds sax and guitar to several tunes.  See the pictures.

• Dave celebrates 3500 performances and 35 years in the music business with a set of old and new original songs mixed with stories at Rum Runners in South Bend, Indiana.  See the pictures.

Picture 1 (l-r): Dave Caruso, Richard "Quinn" Quenneville,
Photo by Lori Juncaj
Lee Thomas, Rob Caruso, Walter Anthony
Picture 2 (l-r): Dave, Joe and Rob Caruso
Picture 3: Dave Caruso

2009

Video / Retrospective: "Elizabeth Parker" Dave Caruso

Video / Retrospective: "London" CARUSO / Dave Caruso

• CARUSO Reunion with Mike, Joe, Dave & Rob (first time in 15 years!)  The band of brothers joins 7 other bands in honoring their good friend, Dan Drotar at the Pier 500 in Wyandotte, MI.  See the pictures.

• Dave Caruso's "Elizabeth Parker" CD appears on iTunes, Amazon.com and other on-line sales outlets.  Several power pop blogs post glowing reviews.

Picture (l-r): Mike, Dave, Joe and Rob Caruso
Original photo by Dan Drotar

• Dave travels to Vermont, New York, Texas, Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Texas while racking up a career total of 3,800 shows