Sharply dressed in a yellow jacket and black fedora, with legs slightly bowed and hands shaking as he held the microphone, Rod Marino sang the Engelbert Humperdinck love song, “Quando Quando.”
It was an impressive performance, considering Marino has lived for more than 20 years with Parkinson’s disease.
He was the first singer in the first round of Orland Township’s Senior American Idol competition last week at Georgio’s Banquets in Orland Hills.
Moments before giving up his walker and accepting assistance to go on stage, the Elk Grove Village resident told the Daily Southtown, “I’m here because it’s a good cause, and it gives me a chance to inspire other people. A doctor told me singing would help keep my voice stronger.”
Marino sings at senior living communities and averages two hours of karaoke a day. He made it through the third round of the competition and won third place.
Asserting distinctive personalities, 12 other seniors took the stage. Their ranks included a baseball player, butcher, carpenter, dentist, electrician, health insurance agent, police dispatcher, patient services representative, teacher, telephone repairman and two salesmen. Some were retired and others still working.
Around 50 people auditioned for the event, according to Marie Ryan, Orland Township senior services coordinator. Those who made the cut had the option of singing with background music provided by a D.J. or playing their own music. They were graded by entertainer Blake Alexander, award-winning choreographer Maria Villari, and Orland Township’s 2016 American Senior Idol winner Laura Alberts.
Audience members seated at tables of 10 also weighed in with star-shaped paddles numbered 1 through 5.
Though only one person would come away with a first-place trophy, emcee Bill Brady, former owner of Barrel of Laughs comedy club in Oak Lawn, told the 500-strong crowd, “All 13 contestants are heroes because they got people to come out and raise money for the Orland Township Scholarship Foundation.”
The $30 dollar tickets and $731 collected during a raffle at the event would go toward scholarships for high school seniors at schools in Orland Township.
Park Forest resident Queeny Anderson, a patient services representative at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, didn’t make it past the first round but still received encouraging words from judges for singing Chaka Kahn’s “Tell Me Something Good.”
Oak Lawn dentist Kenneth Yerkes didn’t make the first cut either, but he was the only contestant to perform original music. Playing guitar, he sang a heartfelt rendition of “Angel My Love,” a song he wrote for his wife.
Also dropping out after the first round were Kathleen Kordelewski, a former Chicago police dispatcher, and Tinley Park resident Phil Graziano, a Korean War veteran and retired salesman. Graziano received a thumbs-up in the program for being 84 and competing for the seventh time.
Eight women and a girl danced in front of the stage holding colorful inflatable guitars as Tinley Park resident Susan Lloyd sang “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” a song made popular by Pat Benatar.
In the second round, Lloyd brought new meaning to what event organizer Ryan had said earlier in the evening: “It takes courage to get up there.”
Wearing a blonde wig that added several inches to her height and a short black skirt, she declared herself Dusty Springfield and gave an impressive rendition of “Son of a Preacher Man.”
When the wig started slipping, Lloyd took things in stride and clutched her forehead to hold the wig on. Some audience members laughed, but judges commended her professionalism and perseverance. Her show-must-go-on attitude was likely honed by years of performing in local bands and at weddings.
Orland Park resident Matthew Babich, who worked in the auto industry and played in the Roy Hobbs amateur adult baseball league, also weathered a snafu.
Technical difficulties in the second round hampered background music for singing “Gloria,” a 1965 song by Van Morrison. Starting over, with a World Series ring flashing as he handled the microphone, he still mustered an impressive performance, but did not make the third round.
Sporting a long red beard and plaid shirt, Victor Giacobbe, a butcher, seemed to channel Jim Morrison of the Doors while singing “Break on Through to the Other Side.” He commanded top scores from the judges and cheers from family members and friends from the Tinley Park VFW.
In the second round, he sang the lyrics to Pearl Jam’s “Black,” conveying artist angst and lost love. Judge Maria Villari told him, “It was a long song, and you kept your cool. You epitomized the song.”
He didn’t make it to the third round, but this wasn’t the first time, and it didn’t seem to bother him either as he danced with his significant other as his competitors performed.
“I think he could care less about winning every time he does this,” said Orland Township volunteer Joyce Wisniowicz. “He just likes to sing.”
For Giacobbe, there was a little more to it. “I love all the people here,” he said. “It’s for a good cause. My family came and wanted to have a good time. They’re my heart.”
Ziggy Bejger Jr., also sported casual attire — dark pants, black shirt and dark sunglasses. His rendition of “Pretty Woman” drew several women to the dance floor, but judges said his voice was “a bit pitchy.”
Lupe Orlando of Orland Park wowed the audience with a pleasant voice and impressive costume changes but didn’t make the final round.
Another Orland Park resident, Ray Parker, wore a tux reminiscent of Dean Martin, singing, “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head” in the first round,” and “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You” in the second.
Judges praised Parker’s stage presence and smooth delivery. He performs regularly with the Lincoln-Way Area Chorale and sings with the St. Michael’s Catholic Church choir.
Besides singing in the shower, Mark Bateman, a retired electrician also sings regularly in a church choir at St. Christopher Parish in Midlothian. Making it through all three rounds, Bateman delivered emotional renditions of “I Did It My Way,” “I’m Never Going to Fall in Love Again,” and “Hey Girl.”
Judges commended Bateman’s mastery and intensity, awarding him second place.
First place went to Ed Swanson, a retired telephone repairman, who crooned “Misty” so smoothly that after hearing just a couple of words Orland Park resident Caryl Tietz gasped and said, “Oh. My grandson played that song at my husband’s funeral.”
Swanson’s other songs from the 1940s, “Old Black Magic” and “Unforgettable,” evoked romantic memories for Tietz, an Orland Township volunteer and one of Cook County’s longest-serving election judges. “These old songs are the best,” she said.
Judges praised Swanson’s pleasing voice, stage presence, consistency and “mellow, cream-colored suit.”
At the close of the evening, Swanson posed for photos with previous winners and friends and co-workers. The retired phone repairman now works part-time providing food samples and doing product demonstrations.
“I just don’t have words,” Swanson said. “I’m feeling so happy. All my friends are here. I’m tickled pink!”
Since 2013, Orland Township has raised more than $200,000 in scholarship funds for high school seniors residing in Orland Township by holding events such as Senior American Idol, Senior Dancing with the Stars and Senior Dating Game.
Last year, the foundation provided $15,000 in scholarships, despite curtailment of senior events due to the pandemic. The online application process for scholarships opens in January with a submission deadline in March.
Susan DeGrane is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
