The politics of music
can be an earful

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

It’s no secret that former President Bill Clinton enjoys an occasional jam session on his saxophone, but he’s not the only American political figure with a melodic streak.
Most presidential trivia buffs could probably tell you that both Richard Nixon and Harry Truman enjoyed a turn on the piano. Likewise, Thomas Jefferson considered the violin among his primary pastimes.
Lifetime Northeast Philly resident and longtime local public servant Tony Radwanski can’t claim to have reached the great political heights of Jefferson, Truman, Nixon or Clinton. But those former chief executives have nothing on Philadelphia City Council’s communications director in the way of music.
Radwanski carries his instrument with him everywhere he goes. He’s a popular lounge and nightclub singer.
Performing as "Tony Rad," Radwanski is the regular Saturday-night act at La Casa di Lucia on Bustleton Avenue in Somerton. On Friday, April 18, he will use his talents to benefit an ongoing restoration project at another Northeast institution, Glen Foerd on the Delaware, at 5001 Grant Ave.
Money raised by his Singing in the Rain concert and buffet dinner — which will be presented at the East Torresdale mansion and non-profit historical site — will help pay for a new roof over Glen Foerd’s priceless art gallery.
According to Radwanski, the $40 admission price will allow visitors to sample a bevy of homemade pasta dishes, salads and breads while listening to his version of classic American pop favorites by legendary composers like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers.
For the singer, the performance will combine two of his great loves. He also is president of the non-profit Glen Foerd’s board of directors.
For the night, at least, he’ll put civil service aside.
"I try to make a giant wall between them. I’m ‘Tony Radwanski’ when I’m doing city work and ‘Tony Rad’ when I’m singing, because ‘Radwanski’ won’t fit on anybody’s marquee," he said.
Radwanski has never had trouble finding his way onto marquees, even before his name found its way onto tongues of Philadelphia’s leading political figures.
The Northwood native and 1970 Frankford High School graduate took piano lessons when he was about 5. He still regrets giving up the instrument at a young age.
Still, his singing earned him a place in a citywide boys choir alongside a young Teddy Pendergrass, who went on to fame as lead singer of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes.
Radwanski then embarked upon the stage, performing in a production of Oliver, first at the Abbey Stage Door theater on Rising Sun Avenue, then on tour with a professional company.
Through his teens, he sang in a series of bands, including one group, the Ambassadors of Song, who toured the Pacific in the summer of 1969, including stops on the American West Coast, Hawaii, Alaska and Japan.
Though Radwanski, a baritone, always embraced the work of idols like Frank Sinatra, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Darin and Tony Bennett, he often found himself at odds with band mates.
"It was always a battle with the band wanting to do the rock music that was popular at the time and me wanting to do classic American pop," Radwanski said.
"I think Sinatra is the keystone to American music. The Great American Songbook is America’s gift to the world," he added, referring to the term given to the vast body of work by the top composers and singers from the 1920s to the early ’60s.
Despite his bright start, Radwanski always knew that music would never be a career for him. Accordingly, he stepped away from it altogether in 1972 amid more band reshuffling.
Law and government became his lifeblood.
"I always viewed (music) as a sideline because I was always interested in government," Radwanski said. "When other kids were doing other things, I was reading newspapers and stuff. I got it when I was a little kid and JFK was an inspiration to our generation."
Radwanski became active in the Northwood Civic Association and was elected its treasurer. He also took the city’s Civil Service examination and in January 1974 was hired as an investigator in the office of new City Controller Bill Klenk, who had defeated Tom Gola in the previous year’s election.
A year later, Radwanski married Kathy Stampone, the daughter of former state Sen. Nicholas P. Stampone.
Radwanski says he "kept climbing the ladder" under six controllers, including Jack Smithyman on two separate occasions and Jonathan Saidel, the longest-serving controller in city history from 1990 to 2005.
"When I first started in the city controller’s office, I figured I’d stay a year, then go to law school," he said. "But I really, really liked working for the city. And I like helping people."
In time, he took a leave from civil service to accept appointments as director of special investigations, deputy city controller and first deputy city controller.
When Saidel opted not to seek re-election in 2005 and mounted an unsuccessful bid for mayor, Radwanski began working for City Council, where his role allows him to focus on what he describes as another personal interest, the governmental public-information process.
"It’s a totally different experience for me," Radwanski said. "In the controller’s office, we did an audit, then we marketed the audit and tried to enact what we found through the city administration. Now I’m trying to put together information I’m getting from seventeen different (Council members)."
In his tenure, cable television has begun broadcasting City Council sessions live locally. The broadcast feeds, along with on-demand replays, are accessible via the Internet too, through phila.gov.
Serving as liaison between the government and public can be a demanding job. That, in part, is why Radwanski returned to his music about six years ago.
"Though I have always enjoyed my work, this balances me out," he said. "It has helped me get through.
"I missed it for a long time but never had the gumption to get an act together."
Nowadays, performers like Radwanski comprise a rare breed, largely because the costs of putting on a big band-style show are overwhelming. However, modern technology enables him to use pre-recorded backing arrangements while delivering his polished live vocals. Often, local professional musicians sit in to add to the festive atmosphere.
His Saturday night gigs at La Casa di Lucia start at around 8 and last well into the night. He has a strong regular following at the family restaurant and lounge.
"It’s a good feeling to know that people still come out and enjoy what I do every week," Radwanski said. "We get good crowds every Saturday night."
His itinerary also includes benefits for organizations like the Marine Law Enforcement Foundation and breast-cancer charities. With a repertoire that includes about 300 songs, Radwanski is equally prepared for a low-key cocktail party or an evening "barn burner."
April 18 will mark his third benefit at Glen Foerd in about four years. The roof project alone will cost an estimated $680,000.
"I’ve always loved historic sites in Philadelphia. I’m a history buff," said Radwanski, who now lives with his wife in East Torresdale.
He began volunteering at the mansion years ago when he "moved up here and found this jewel of a place. I have a lot of friends who volunteer here." ••
Tickets to the concert must be bought by April 14 and are available by sending e-mail to info@glenfoerd.org or calling 215-632-5330.
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com