Here is a time capsule of what a top-flight 'show band' (aka 'wedding band') looked and sounded like in 1990 - in this 'Demo Video' produced at a Long Island, NY soundstage studio.

The story goes: Atlantic City comedian Sal Richards has a brother singer who went by the stage name "Steve Diamond".

Well, a singer needs a backing band and a 'girl singer'.

The Steve Diamond Orchestra was a 'gem' of a 'show band' who'd performed at the most special time for newlyweds - their wedding... and hundreds of them! The band would vary between an 8 and 9-piece combo with percussion - and sometimes 10 with a trombone (3-piece instrumental section).

Steve was a dynamo at the parties - and would always piss off the new grooms by 'sitting' in their new brides' laps belting out "Mala Femmena" in true 'continental' fashion - making them melt (or squirm) in their seats.

Lee, the 'girl singer' had pipes for the theater.

She could growl and stylize her vocals right up there with the best of 'em.

And the rhythm section was kickass.

Louie on drums (kept rhythm like a Swiss clock - with the tastiest riffs and fills) was too professional for this troupe. Dave on guitar and Conrad on keyboards - what could go wrong? Probably Joe on bass if he didn't get enough sleep - or if it was a swing tune.

Rock musicians don't take well to Big Band swing!

Top it off with the best brass/sax section in the business - and you had the Steve Diamond Orchestra.

The Orchestra was a house band out of Huntington, LI, New York - at the now-demolished "Huntington Towne House" - a former wedding factory.

We were also regulars, via Tommy Donato Orchestras as agent, at the famous "Russo's On The Bay" in Howard Beach, Queens, NY - where the Italian songs went over REAL WELL. (BTW: The Viennese table there is to die for).

There was not a catering hall within the tri-state area of New York City (and a few in New Jersey) that the band didn't perform at.

And I can safely say 7 out of 10 venues were great, and at some of the other fancy catering venues, I wouldn't have my dog eat there.

Performances at:

Tavern on the Green
On the deck of the Intrepid Museum
Villa Russo
Russo's On The Bay
Floral Terrace
Jericho Terrace
Chateau Briand
Westbury Manor
Swan Club
Crescent Beach Club
The Fox Hollow
Crest Hollow Country Club
Cherry Valley Country Club
Guerney's Montauk
Giorgio's Baiting Hollow
Danford's Port Jefferson
Grand Prospect Hall - Brooklyn
The Metropolitan Club - NYC
The Hotel Pierre - NYC

and a 100+ more venues.

Enjoy a blast from the past when live bands at your wedding were a regular thing.