We
lost my friend Billy Dillon last Thursday. "BD" as he was known to many
of his friends. He was 53 and would have been 54 on Halloween. I have
known Billy since we were kids in Project STAR many years ago. If there
is a message in this week's piece, it is simply this: stop just
"making" plans to get together with your friends – and follow through
with them. Take a break from all the stuff that is still going to be
there when you get back. Spend some quality time with those quality
people, because you just never know. When these old friends are
suddenly gone, it will be too late and you could end up writing about
it in a newspaper column some day. The column is called On the Silly
Side, but the only thing silly this week is how silly, fleeting, and
fickle life can be. There are three "contacts" on my cell phone that
will now only serve as a reminder – a reminder that I should have hit
"send" and made plans to see an old friend.

Billy was married to
Deborah (O'Gorman) Dillon of Malden. He was the father of Brendan,
Patrick and Jacqueline Louise Dillon. He was the son of the late John
and Louise Dillon and brother of Katherine Ricketts of Malden, John
Dillon of New Haven, Conn, Janet Kirby of Quincy, Barbara Dillon of
Revere and the late Diane Martino. Billy graduated from Somerville High
School in 1973.

Billy had battled and beat cancer, but it was a
heart attack that took him from us. Here is part of an article I did a
while back that speaks of the musical group Billy was part of.

The
year was 1974 and the Fabulous Pharaohs were the big attraction at The
Embassy Lounge on Somerville Ave. Inspired by The Great Pretenders, The
Pharaohs were a pantomime act that did '50s and '60s music on Thursdays
and Sunday nights. The members were Mark, John, Mike, Billy and Brian.
Mike's brother, another John, ran the equipment (get well soon, John ).
Mark's brother George was part of the group for a short time and their
father, George Sr. – managed them for a while. Joe Ward and Dave Emery
were also on the tech crew at various times.

Complete with their
matching tuxedos, other flashy outfits and impressive light show, The
Fabulous Pharaohs packed the Embassy Lounge week after week. Loads of
enthusiastic girls showed up religiously to cheer on the entertaining
group. They had a dedicated following who knew every song and every
move – and believe me, these guys had their moves down to a "t" with
precision accuracy. When the strobe light kicked in during "Pretty
Little Angel Eyes" the crowd went wild. Brian, who was at least 6 foot
4 inches tall, danced into a frenzy – faster and faster with the beat –
when "Beep Beep" played night after night, the place went crazy. Billy
sang lead on "Good Lovin," "Chantilly Lace," and "Get Ready."

The
phenomenon went on and on, spreading to Studley's and eventually to
Johnny D's. The personnel of the Fabulous Pharaohs changed along with
the name – The Amazing Sensations and Solid Gold were offshoots and
reincarnations of the original. You can go to YouTube and search
Amazing Sensations to get an idea of what the group was all about.

Billy
Dillon added his boy next door good looks and killer smile complete
with blue eyes to that magical line-up. My band would be breaking down
our equipment and those guys were bringing theirs in, and we would just
laugh and goof around. Billy went nuts with laughter when I used my
"Yakky Doodle Duck" cartoon voice to say "Where's the Miller" referring
of course to Miller beer.

Billy was also a dispatcher for Green Cab for many years.

There
will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 17th at 10am at St.
Catherine's Church on Summer Street. We are all crazy busy with those
everyday chores like work, kids and bills. I know some of you have
dealt with the same regrets when someone passes and you meant to see
them, but were too late. We cannot beat ourselves up for being
legitimately trapped in the whirlwind of life. Every time a friend
passes away, I say the same thing: "I won't let it happen again." But
it does. Life doesn't stop or stand still so we can get together or pay
a visit to an old friend. We have to put the brakes on and make it
happen.

Every time I heard the Song "Angel Eyes" it always
brought me back to that wonderful time watching my friends perform. Now
when I hear "Angel Eyes" I will look up and know that Billy Dillon will
be keeping an eye on all of his loving friends and family members who
will miss him dearly. You can email Jimmy direct at jimmydel@rcn.com.