I first mentioned Tony Carey as the keyboardist for Rainbow Mk II (1976-1977; see my review of "On Stage"). Although his tenure with Rainbow was brief, he was (and still is) quite prolific as a solo artist, recording as Tony Carey and Planet P Project (among others). He scored a few minor hits along the way (e.g., "I Won't Be Home Tonight" and "Why Me?"), but never really turned the corner.My favorite song of his is "A Fine Fine Day" from his 1984 LP "Some Tough City". I like songs with stories, and this one tells the story of Uncle Sonny's return from prison. The lyrics are ambiguous about how the reunion turns out, but the video and 7" cover art leave no doubt about Sonny's fate. I remember this one getting some airplay on MTV (and maybe radio) when it came out. My favorite work of his is still with Rainbow, but this song isn't bad and you might remember it from 25+ (!) years ago.
A Fine Fine Day: official video, lip sync version from Solid Gold.
Bonus Link: The YouTube channel "pinkwrld" is devoted entirely to TC/PPP videos.
Actually, it was a #22 hit on the Billboard charts. I remember MTV played the hell out of it and it was on the radio quite a bit as well.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that the song made it that high. I remember the video, but I can't recall it on the local radio stations -- perhaps they played it and I just don't remember.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I always liked this song. Thanks for posting!
Great song! I remember recording it onto cassette off the radio back in the day. We also had the 45 single at the station I worked at in the mid 80s and would play it in light rotation.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised at how many people remember this song! Any other memories from your station days?
ReplyDeletethanks for posting!
This is such a great tune w/fantastic organ. I always thought "the old Houdini" meant he skipped town and was safe...guess not from the vid! Love it tho...may actually do it w/my acoustic duo
ReplyDeleteI remember discovering Tony Carey as a teenager when I saw him play A Fine, Fine Day on the TV show Solid Gold. I was immediately hooked. Awesome song! During the same time I heard Why Me and bought the cassette and wore the heck out of it. 40+ years later I've owned both in various formats and they are still in my personal rotation. I also remember hearing I Won't Be Home Tonight on KQ92, it's is a killer album, and I like it more than Some Tough City.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see a remastered Planet P Project on 180gm vinyl!
I had no idea there were so many Tony Carey fans!
ReplyDeleteI also remember "I Won't Be Home Tonight"; I think that made the local radio station but I can't be sure.
Thanks, Frank, for posting.
I really like Tony Carey. I’m a huge 70’s Rainbow fan. The line up even though revolving, was always stellar, and Carey was a part of some very good hard rock. I remember the song well. I remember really liking it. Good find! Think I’ll listen to it now! Thanks!
DeleteI really like Tony Carey. I’m a huge 70’s Rainbow fan. The line up even though revolving, was always stellar, and Carey was a part of some very good hard rock. I remember the song well. I remember really liking it. Good find! Think I’ll listen to it now! Thanks!
DeleteI remember MTV playing the heck out of A Fine Fine Day back in the day. I love the song. I love the video. I never got tired of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd when I heard it again recently on the Top 40 countdown on my Sirius XM radio I was like Oh yeah! I remember that one and I got interested in all over again. The melody and the story just sticks with me and he's got such powerful vocals too. I hope he knows he's got fans.
Thanks for posting Astrid!
ReplyDeleteI found a version of a fine fine day by Tony Cary on You tube a few years ago That was a remix. I has been removed and I cant find it now. I THINK it was on his Blue Highway release but its not listed on the song list. It may have been on an Import of the Album. Can anybody give any info on this ? Thank You.
ReplyDeleteEvery once in a while, a memory sparks in my head of the song "A Fine, Fine Day" and seeing the video on MTV, back when they actually played music videos. It's a song I still remember quite fondly. While the song is still very good, I think the video helped make it memorable. I love how it told a story and that stuck with me enough to still remember the song 35 years later.
ReplyDeleteI loved this song from the first time I heard the intro while watching the video on MTV back in the day. I just couldn't believe that this tune did NOT go into the top ten, at least, and then it faded away into obscurity. Ticked me off!! It deserved much better. Tony Carey deserves better, such a great song!!!!
ReplyDeleteI totally remember both the song and the video...loved them
ReplyDeleteI don't remember the video, huzzah for youtube!
ReplyDeleteTook me ages to reconnect with this song. I've probably overlooked it digging though used 45s a dozen times, but no more. Snagged a nice minty import for $2.00. Heard it on an American Top 40 replay on the local 80s station a few weeks ago and from the first bar recognized it and started looking for a hard copy. Planet P's "Why Me" has been a staple on my equipment for 35+ years.
ReplyDeleteA Fine Fine day was a cool, powerful and gritty rust belt type song that was so popular in Cleveland back in the day. Songs like that evoke strong memories and emotions. I was 21 at the time and had the World by the tail. Man, to go back to those days. But you can never go home, you can only go forward to what God has planned in this world and to what he has waiting for us, which is far better. Rock on.
ReplyDeleteWho was it who was Uncle Sonny?😊
ReplyDeletephenomenal song... Song and video quintessential 80's stuff. For some reason didn't put together him being the same guy on keyboards in Rainbow... Who am I kidding for me Rainbow was about three guys mostly, RJD (RiP), Joe Lynn Turner and of course the man himself, Blackmore (honorable mentions Roger Glover and Graham Bonnett). I later on went back and looked at the history of Rainbow, they had quite a few top tier musicians come through the ranks (Bob Daisley!!!, Jens Johanssen). 2 Quick questions (if anyone can indulge further...Lol). Dio in an interview mentioned something of how Carey was treated by Ritchie, any of you guys have some info or sources on a story that reveals something or is that just RJD spewing out drama? Also about this song in particular, is this biographical or just some good writing (just curious, but I'm assuming more the latter)? True classic!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant song. Reminds me of our uncle Dave who returned home after doing time.. such pithy lyrics.. love tony
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