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THE KIT KATS flourished during the most exciting time in Musical History; The age of Rock & Roll. These 4 handsome young men had the looks, talent and charisma for starters but, more importantly, they worked and played very hard to become the top band within a hundred mile radius of their homes in Philadelphia. They reached their goal, rubbed elbows with the biggest names in show business and eventually, joined the nation's top 2% in earnings. Even now, in this new millennia, they still hold money-grossing records at the clubs that they played in the 1960's and 1970's. I'm lucky to have been born in the 1940's because, in 1955, I was just 13 years old, in my 6th years of music lessons, when Rock & roll EXPLODED onto the scene. For the first time ever, music was taken to the streets. Nothing this revolutionary has ever happened before or since! This wild music excited me like nothing else could. It made my heart pound, it made me feel great and it brought out the animal in me. By ear, I learned the wonderful sounds of Little Richard, Fats Domino, Huey Smith, Johnny Johnson, Ray Charles, Larry Williams and Jerry Lee Lewis. I loved it with so much heart and soul that years later, the Philadelphia Enquirer called me, "The Greatest Rock & Roll Pianist on the East Coast." I always wondered who my competition on the West Coast was? No Matter. The Kit Kats ruled from 1962 to 1974. They were: Kit Stewart: Leader, Drummer, Vocalist & Lyricist. The group's founder, he had CHUTZPAH & a great driving beat. Big John Bradley: Guitarist & lead singer. He sang like an angel & rocked like chuck berry. Ronnie Cichonski: Bassist & Vocalist. He laid an electrifying foundation. Karl Hausman: Pianist, vocalist, composer & Arranger. I always loved THE KIT KATS MUSIC! In my head, I heard it rather symphonic with such a beat that you couldn't sit still. These guys were MAGIC! Thanks to Jamie Records, two originals, "Let's Get Lost on a Country Road" and "Won't Find Better Than Me" sold very well internationally and became # 1 in many cities. Ten songs in this album have lyrics by Kit Stewart but, as I always wrote the music first, I wanted to present these 10 songs as I originally conceived them, instrumentally. The remaining five songs would've been our future releases had the Kit Kats not disbanded in the mid 1970's. In November 1999, Jamie Records released a digitally remastered 2 CD set; "The Kit Kats;IT'S ABOUT TIME" Go to http://WWW.JAMGUY.COM for this 2 CD set. Sales were Fantastic. Kit & I talked of throwing a huge reunion party just for the love of it. Everyone was excited but, in 2001, Kit suddenly died and I was devastated by both losing my friend of 39 years and the realization that THE KIT KATS will never be again. It's over forever! Unlike most people, I don't mind getting older, I have few regrets and I don't have to prove nuthin to nobody except myself. I "did it all" with a sensational band who was part of The greatest Period of Musical History. The Kit Kats! You'll never see the likes of them again, my friend. Listen to their music & you'll realize that they were ahead of their time. How Sweet It Was!
ENJOY,
KARL HAUSMAN
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