A Toast to the Newlyweds!

December 17, 1971, Mt. Fuji Inn, Omaha, Nebraska. Ralph & Jan's rehearsal dinner, let's assume (until I get it from the horse's (or donkey's) mouth). Another wild gathering of associates to celebrate the soon-to-be Fuccillos. There's Big Red (John Regan) to the left of Jan.

The Classy Glass

1966: In a suit as sparkly as his glass of beer, our fresh-faced author attends the Cardinal Hayes graduation party with his classmate and associate, Mike Noone. The location is Marta's Italian Restaurant in Greenwich Village. Ralph's father knew the owner, as he used to provide meat to the kitchen. Besides Fuccillo, Marta's was a favorite hangout of John Dos Passos.

The Return of Richard Nixon

Ralph Fuccillo, photojournalist and Young Republican, snapped this iconic photograph of President Nixon on the campaign trail at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY. The photo's dated April 1971, so it's probably from late '70, early '71. Unless our boy was too cheap to develop the film in '68, when Nixon was there to open his NY campaign. So this shot is probably from his reelection bid.

Flash forward to November 12, 2010 at the The Artistery in Portland, Oregon, where his son Jeff's band, Helll are performing. Ralph encounters his hero once again. Now someone needs to paint a HUGE propaganda-like portrait of Big Pops!

Good Evening, Ladies & Germs!

1970: A white sports coat and a pink ruffled cuff. What an outfit! Here Ralph's dressed as the Insult Comic Dog -- cigar and all! I was most surprised that the event was Creighton's Senior Dance and not a talent show. Jan is, of course, dressed appropriately, but Ralph's ready to "Make a Deal!"

Ralph Takes the Cake

Maybe it's Ralph's birthday. Maybe it's a holiday. Maybe just a Tuesday. But here's Ralph's mother presenting him with a cake which he could easily eat the whole of today (if it's free cake). Is it a Carvel ice cream cake? And what is it? A carousel? The little figurine in the middle looks sorta like a Santa Claus.

So many questions? Where can we find the answers? In the pages of Ralph Fuccillo's memoir "Once a Kid."

Coming soon! (Hurry it up!)

The Darktown Strutter

Yeah, that's our boy, velvet shorts and all (well, not all -- no socks). Ralph loves talking about the time he danced on Broadway. I can't say for certain that this is the outfit he wore, but for let's assume it was for now. True story -- he tap-danced across that legendary stage!

Hard to think of Big Pops as a hoofer. In fact, the closest he's ever come to a hoof was when he tried horse at a Tokyo restaurant (hopefully, it wasn't Roquepine)!

The Clip Joint

Chicago, April 1971: Jan and Ralph pause for a photo outside of Ralph's Barbershop, much to the chagrin of the patron in the front window, whose two dollar haircut comes with an eyeful of Bronx derriere.

Ralph, of course, is not the namesake of the barbershop, and judging by those near-muttonchops, had yet to frequent said establishment.