Elliot Lurie is a singer and songwriter best known for the hit “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl)”. Recorded by Looking Glass, a band formed at Rutgers University featuring Lurie on vocals and guitar, “Brandy” was released in the summer of 1972. It quickly rose to the top of the charts, selling over a million copies and becoming one
Edison Lighthouse originated in England as an outgrowth of the successful group, The Flying Machine which had a US top 5 hit in November 1969 with “Smile A Little Smile For Me” featuring Les Fradkin on vocals, mellotron, organ and guitar. The producer of that smash hit assembled a new group for a new song
“It’s always been important for me to tune in with what’s going on in music” Evelyn says. She enjoys going to clubs and concerts and being with people who enjoy all types of music. “You have to live a little and explore a lot” the vocalist states. Evelyn always seems to dazzle the audience with
Famous for Latin-flavored dance-pop as well as for adult contemporary ballads, the female vocal trio Exposé enjoyed a great deal of commercial success in the ’80s and early ’90s. Exposé was the creation of Miami-based producer/songwriter Lewis A. Martineé, who assembled the original Exposé lineup in 1984. Although Exposé’s best-known lineup included Jeanette Jurado (born
Born on February 6, 1943, Fabian Forte was actually discovered at the age of 14 sitting on his front steps in Philadelphia, Pa. Soon thousands were to throng to his concerts. Capitalizing on his good looks and ability to excite an audience, Fabian reached dizzying heights of success. At 15, he won the Silver Award
In 1973, when Florida-born Rick Roberts and his new Colorado based band needed a name, an image that had long stuck in his mind – a woodpile stacked at the edge of a high cliff in Yosemite National Park, then set ablaze and pushed off the cliff as nature lovers from all over watched in
From college campuses to supper clubs, fairs to industrial shows, commercials to concert halls, Tokyo’s Latin Quarter to New York’s Copacabana, Glasgow’s Empress Theatre to Notre Dame, Las Vegas’ Sands Hotel to Honolulu Stadium, Okinawa’s Naha Theatre to Manilla’s Aranete Concert Hall… the Four Lads radio, television and live appearances reads like a veritable “who’s
35 girls and not one boy showed up to audition for the annual Hollywood High School talent show in the fall of 1955. The next day the school bulletin pleaded for “any guys out there who can do anything” and a show business story began that sounds a little like an MGM Musical. Unable to
No other popular quartet stayed together with original personnel intact for as long as the legendary Four Tops. And no other group associated with the American 60s sound has succeeded in remaining as fresh, joyful, lively, and timely. The Four Tops created a special magic that continues to delight audiences of all ages and nationalities,
On July 7,1979, an unknown French Canadian singer from Montreal – all of sweet 16 – stepped onto the boards of New York’s Fire Island before a screaming crowd of 5,000 to perform her very first single, “Come to Me”. She left the stage a star. “Come to Me” reached # 1 on Billboard’s dance chart, # 13 on its pop
Seldom has a performer been strongly considered for an Academy Award in both acting and music, yet Frank Stallone has managed to pull it off. His fiery portrayal of a brutish bartender in BARFLY had Hollywood insiders abuzz at Oscar time, and his #1 smash hit single, ‘Far From Over’ from Staying Alive was likewise touted for a “Best
In association with Harmony Artists. Born on September 18, 1940 as Francis Thomas Avallone, Frankie Avalon started out playing the trumpet. He was good enough to catch the eye of a local talent scout, who arranged for him to appear on Jackie Gleason’s CBS-TV show, which led to other appearances on national television. By the
Frankie Valli was born in the Italian First Ward of Newark, New Jersey as Francis Stephen Castelluccio on May 3, 1937, and went on to achieve worldwide fame both, as lead singer of The Four Seasons, one of the biggest music acts of the 1960s, and also as a solo artist. Frankie’s future course was
No oldies collection would be complete without Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s thrilling “Palisades Park”, with its carnival sound effects, swooping organ, relentless driving beat, and, of course, Freddy’s inimitable holler. Written by Chuck Barris (of Gong Show fame), and based on what was then one of New Jersey’s most popular amusement parks, the song is an
They are called “The Friends of Distinction” and for much of the last two decades, this talented four member, sophisticated jazz, R&B styled vocal group has distinguished itself in major entertainment arenas across the US. and Europe. The original Friends of Distinction was formed in 1968 by Floyd Butler and Harry Elston, both alumni of
America’s baby boomers moved into their mid teens, Gary began his professional career. For his first hit,“New Orleans”, attention was brought to the record by having promotional copies sent to radio stations in sleeves inscribed “Buy U.S. Bonds” – hence at age 19, Gary Anderson became Gary’ U.S.’ Bonds. The follow-up was the now legendary
For some time Gerry & the Pacemakers were the Beatles nearest competitors in Britain. Managed, like the Beatles, by Brian Epstein, Gerry Marsden and his band burst out of the gate with three consecutive number one UK hits in 1963, “How Do You Do It”, “I Like It”, and “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Gerry & the Pacemakers defined
The Grass Roots Are: DUSTY HANVEY: (Lead Guitar , Vocals)- For more than 27 years this Cherry Valley, California native has been an integral part of one of the most iconic bands of it’s time. Along with his skills as a lead guitarist and vocalist, Dusty also takes on the title of The Grass Roots’ Road
In May 1966, The Happenings virtually exploded onto the national charts with their first single release,“See You In September”. The song quickly spiraled up the charts to become an international #1 record throughout the entire summer. Most recently, Entertainment Magazine has listed “See You In September”in the top 100 summer songs of all time! The Happenings,
Peter Noone, the artist formerly known as “Herman”, was born on November 5, 1947 in Manchester, UK. His father was a semi-pro musician and keen that his son should follow in his footsteps, so Peter was sent to study singing and acting at the Manchester School of Music and Drama. He was something of a
W. JAY PROCTOR AND THE TECHNIQUES BAND SING MOTOWN, MEMPHIS, PHILLY, OTIS, TEMPS, TOPS, MIRACLES, DELFONICS, SAM & DAVE, WILSON PICKETT, AL GREEN AND MORE PLUS THEIR MEGA HITS “APPLE PEACHES PUMPKIN PIE” “KEEP THE BALL ROLLIN” BOOK JAY AND THE TECHNIQUES
“Well, meet me, baby, down on 45th Street” … is a line that was synonymous with The Peppermint Lounge in 1961 when Joey Dee and The Starliters were rocking the house with their smash hit, “The Peppermint Twist”, and shot to fame on the charts. It all started when one weekend, a New Jersey act, Joey
Joey Molland is a survivor and, when he looks back on how what started out as a rock and roll fantasy and then turned into a bona fide nightmare, he tries to remain upbeat. He concedes that the story was tragic but prefers to focus on the good times: “I had a great time. I
One thing John Waite has come to understand during his illustrious career in music, is that you live and learn best the hard way. Accept that there can be no highs without lows, no gain without loss, and certainly no love without pain. Take nothing for granted, maintain your integrity. Then, at least, you give
In 1964, when the British Invasion was in progress and American rockers were tough to find on the U.S. pop charts, Johnny Rivers was one of the first to regain a foothold. His first Top 10 record came right in the midst of Beatlemania. Over the next four years his funky, go-go rock gave him
