Thursday, August 14, 2014

A Couple of VERY Cool, Recent Concert Events

re:  Recent and Up-Coming Concerts ... From The Folks Who Were There!:
Hey Kent ...
Just a note to sum up our shows at Cousin Brucie's Palisades Park Reunion 2, where we shared the stage with Chubby Checker, Neil Sedaka, Larry Chance And The Earls and The 1910 Fruitgum Company ... and our show in Streetsboro, Ohio,where we performed for "Streetsboro Days" on a bill with Dennis Tufano.
Cousin Brucie's show was held in The Meadowlands, outside of NYC, and it was a great day. The show was re-broadcast on Sirius / XM "Sixties On 6" radio station a few times after the show was over. It was a thrill for me to see Neil Sedaka perform and get to talk with Chubby for a bit.
In Streetsboro, Ohio,it was a rainy weekend, but we managed to get our show in on Sunday afternoon with only a couple of rain delays. We played a rocking set that was well received, including an encore jam with Dick Coughlin, Drummer for "The Cherry Slush" and Ricky Biagiola, Drummer from "The Outsiders", who both played Percussion ... and local guitar wiz, Michael Weber, trading guitar licks with me.  And then Dennis took the stage and was absolutely amazing, with his mix of Buckinghams hits, Bobby Darin tunes, and a few American songbook classics. Dennis is the best singer out there, in my opinion, and it's always inspiring for me when I have a chance to watch him perform and spend time offstage with him. His voice is better than ever! And man, can he play a mean Blues Harp!!!
The people of Streetsboro, Ohio, are great, and really took good care of all of us. I've attached a photo of me with Dennis and Ronn Scala, a great singer who sang backup for Dennis on Sunday. The photo was taken in the lobby of the hotel we stayed at, where there was a birthday celebration for Dennis' sister. I've also attached a photo of me backstage with Chubby Checker and his Music Director / Guitarist Gary Lefkowith before we hit the stage at The Meadowlands.
Hope you are having a great Summer! Next up for us ... The Cannery in Las Vegas in an "End Of Summer" show with Gary Lewis, The Brooklyn Bridge Band, and the 1910 Fruitgum Company. I('ve attached a photo of that concert poster, too.)
Talk soon....
Mitch Schecter / The Rip Chords
 




Meanwhile Al Jardine and Billy Hinsche were in town this past weekend as part of something called Aquapalooza!  (Great timing actually since Lollapalooza wrapped up here the weekend before!)
It was a first-time event and spectators watched the whole concert from their boats!
Billy sent along a couple of photos to share with our readers.  (kk)

Had a great time in Chicago last weekend with Al Jardine and The Endless Summer Band, performing at the 31st St. Harbor that was the location for the first Aquapalooza event.  There were two other acts that performed during the day including a Reggae band called Roots Rock Society, an Earth, Wind & Fire band called Shining Star, and a DJ who kept the music going in between set changes.  Boaters were invited to watch the show from in front of the stage, on the water - what a concept!  As Musical Director, I clustered several songs together to keep the aquatic theme going: "California Saga" (water, water, get yourself in the cool, clear water), "Sea Cruise," "Sail On Sailor" and "Sloop John B."  Though attendance was a bit light due to rough waters on the lake (so I was told), we did a rockin' good 75 minute show and hope to be invited back next year.  Having an event such as this at the Marina is a great idea and I hope this it continues to grow in size and popularity.
Billy Hinsche

AL JARDINE & THE ENDLESS SUMMER BAND
 
Bobby Figueroa (drums), Ed Carter (bass) and Billy Hinsche (keys / guitar) 
 at soundcheck.  Photo credit: Matt Jardine

Richie Cannata (sax / keys) and Tom Jacob (Hammond B3 / keys) 
Photo credit: Matt Jardine

 Ed Carter and Al Jardine share a laugh at soundcheck.  Photo credit: Matt Jardine

I guess Gary Lewis has missed a few more Happy Together shows ... FH Reader Shelley Sweet-Tufano just sent us this update:
Kent,
I held off on saying anything but now Howard Kaylan answered someone's tweet question, "Where was Gary in Cleveland tonight?" with "EITHER HOSPITAL OR HOME".
Shelley
Wow ... must be fairly serious then.  I didn't see anything on the Internet about his health condition ... hoping he's doing all-right and makes a full recovery!  Thanks, Shelley!  (kk)