From the South Side: A memoir

From Garage Gigs to Motown Dreams — A True South Side Story of Music, Friendship, and Coming of Age.

Overview of the Book
From the South Side: A memoir (Sept 26, 2023) is a vivid coming-of-age tale chronicling the real-life experiences of a trio of friends—John LiVigni (known as “Jake”), Anthony F. Siciliano (“T”), and Larry Klimas (“Lorenzo”)—growing up on Chicago’s South Side. Set between 1964 and 1975, the memoir captures their youthful adventures amidst a backdrop of seismic cultural and political upheavals: assassinations, Vietnam, civil rights, Woodstock, and the explosion of jazz-rock music (amazon.com). The narrative details their transformation from local club musicians into the groundbreaking band Puzzle—the first white jazz-rock group to sign with Motown—offering unique insider perspectives on the music business and Midwestern music scene (amazon.com).

Plot & Themes
As Jake, T, and Lorenzo embark on road trips touring the Midwest and beyond—from Chicago strip joints to gigs in Boston and Florida—the memoir humorously and poignantly explores friendship, ambition, and the trials of early adulthood. It portrays the thrill of music-making and the harsh lessons of life—brushes with mob-controlled venues, the challenges of writing original material, and the emotional costs of recording a Motown album in Detroit and Los Angeles (amazon.com). Their story strikes a chord with readers and musicians alike, and according to Amazon reviews, the book is “very well written,” “laugh out loud,” and a “fantastic” portrayal of South Side culture and musical dreams (amazon.com).

Authors & Background
Co-authored by cousins Larry Klimas and Anthony F. Siciliano—both South Siders—the memoir is their first collaborative book (amazon.com). During the memoir’s period (1964–1974), they were bandmates touring the region and eventually secured a deal with Motown in 1972. Anthony built a long career as a musician and, later, a top-tier Yamaha piano dealer in Miami Beach, producing jazz concerts throughout southern Florida (amazon.com). Larry became notably successful as a studio musician: serving as bandleader for NBC’s The Midnight Special, touring and recording with acts like WAR, Chicago, and Neil Diamond, and releasing two solo CDs (amazon.com).

Positioning & Target Audience
From the South Side speaks directly to fans of memoirs, music history, and 1960–70s Americana. Its #304 ranking in Jazz Musician Biographies and #554 in R&B & Soul on Amazon underscores its appeal to music enthusiasts . Early reviewers describe it as an engaging narrative for both musicians and general readers chasing nostalgic era tales: “a coming-of-age buddy tale… with cultural snapshots” and an “uplifting, nostalgic visit to the era” (amazon.com). Positioned as an authentic testament to a transformative period in music and American culture, it’s ideal for book clubs, music lovers, and readers seeking stories rooted in real experiences.