[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 46 (Wednesday, April 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E550]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF HERMAN SPERO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2000

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, today I honor Herman Spero, the Executive 
Producer of UPBEAT an ``American Bandstand'' type television show 
produced in Cleveland, OH.
  April 13, 2000 will be considered UPBEAT Day in Cleveland. On this 
day, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum will be unveiling their 
third in a series of their Rock and Roll Landmarks at WEWS TV, where 
UPBEAT was taped every Saturday night from 1964-1971. The show was 
syndicated in over one hundred cities and featured every major 
recording artist from the rock, jazz, and the rhythm and blues world. 
UPBEAT featured the first ever TV appearance of Simon & Garfunkle as 
well as the last appearance of Otis Redding. Other famous acts 
appearing in UPBEAT included the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
  We all know that it takes an immense amount of passion, hard work and 
dedication to make dreams come true. We are grateful to Mr. Spero for 
having an overwhelming amount of all three. He was instrumental to the 
success of Rock and Roll and had a historical role in its development. 
When the history of Rock and Roll is written, Herman Spero will have a 
fitting and appropriate mention. Herman Spero, through his unique 
combination of vision, common touch, and entertainment flair, is 
certainly deserving of this well-earned recognition.
  I ask you, fellow colleagues, to join me in honoring a Cleveland 
legend, Herman Spero, who has given the city yet another reason why it 
is the Rock and Roll Capitol of the World.

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