FORGOTTEN HITS: Salute to 100 Years of American Legion Concert

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Salute to 100 Years of American Legion Concert - Part Two

After Charlie Thomas' death in January, I was concerned about what would happen to his Drifters. So it was with true interest that I waited for them to open the second act of this show.

Onstage strolled Louis Bailey, Jerome Manning and Stephen Brown. Who is this fourth gentleman? After a rough internet search, I found out conclusively that his name is Jeff Hall. The appropriate Drifters websites are not current, which is understandable, so I needed to use word strategies for searching. I also viewed videos to ensure myself at last, that this man's name IS indeed Jeff Hall; from North Carolina. What a great second act opening.

1. On Broadway

2. This Magic Moment

3. There Goes My Baby

4. I Count the Tears

5. Up on the Roof

6. Under the Boardwalk

The smooth, classy, textured Drifters dancing is all there, along with the harmonies, smiles and formal bows of thankfulness. Charlie is proud, gentlemen.

And now, a performer who jogged onto stage and created drooling women around me with the question, "How old is he anyway?" When I said, "Mid 70s," they reacted with "Can't be!" I started to laugh and also to wonder that if Dennis Tufano were younger, would that make these ladies cougars?

The original lead singer of The Buckinghams bounces around the stage as though he were a young boy at a high school dance. The Chiclettes are his back-up singers, and his first song is 'Don't You Care?' Dennis, I think they do.

1. Don't You Care

2. Hey Baby (They're Playing Our Song)

3. Susan

4. Mercy Mercy Mercy

5. Kind of a Drag

Dennis also has a Viet Nam story, told to him by some vets at his concerts. Even in jungle war zones, units had portable turn-tables that they used to play 45s. (To be honest, that would have been the only thing that would have gotten me through all that!) So when they were listening to a particular 45, and the bombing would start, they yelled, "SAVE THE RECORD!" The record they were saving was 'Kind of a Drag.' It brought him joy and tears to hear this. Before he would allow Dennis Tufano to leave the stage, Dennis Nardone calls him back and points out that there are three 'Dennises' on stage right now, all with Italian surnames. The third 'Dennis' is Dennis Dibrizzi, the pianist of The CODA Band. Dennis Nardone feels this is "monumental." Dennis Tufano replies, "Hmm ... Three Dennises, no waiting." He runs off and I now have drooling, giggling women around me.

A story worthy of Hollywood, the life of Bobby Wilson has been one of endurance through tough times. Starting his show career as an impersonator of his father, Jackie Wilson, he now knows he is indeed Jackie's son. Childhood health issues kept him from playing as other children did, but kept him listening to music, which he then pursued. To thank the State of North Carolina and his country for all they had done for him, he joined the Navy and ran his two-year stint singing his way into a future as a Star Impersonator. Now knowing he IS Jackie's son, he enjoys bringing his heritage to the stage as a genetic gift. He is indeed a Jackie Wilson look-alike and sound-alike.

1. Turn Me Loose (Fabian)

2. 634-5789 (Wilson Pickett)

3. Lonely Teardrops (1959 Jackie Wilson)

4. Baby Workout (1964 Jackie Wilson)

5. Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson)

6. I'll Be Around (The Spinners)

7. Ain't That Peculiar (Marvin Gaye)

8. (Your Love is Lifting Me) Higher and Higher (1967 Jackie Wilson)

Bobby scared security by running down into the audience and joining people who were dancing and yelling at people to sing louder and get up! A very lively, non-stop Jackie Wilson-ish show. Apparently, Jackie never knew about Bobby but Bobby is now relishing the knowledge that he inherited his father's talent - to an almost identical twin level.

How can any performer(s) close a show like this? It has exceeded everyone's expectations and fulfilled the promise as a thank you to The American Legion and all of our military. I am worried for this last group. I am stupid.

Jay and the Americans cover the stage in their red, white and blue costumes and belt out 'Only In America.' OF COURSE! PERFECT!

1. Only in America

2. Let's Lock the Door (And Throw Away The Key)

3. Some Enchanted Evening

4. She Cried

5. Let It Be Me

6. Cara Mia

7. Walking in the Rain

8. Come A Little Bit Closer

9. This Magic Moment

The harmonies of Sandy Deane and Marty Sanders on Some Enchanted Evening was breathtaking tonight. The voices of Jay Reincke, Sandy and Marty are all strong and again, my favorite duet, 'Let it Be Me,' is mesmerizing. The reason they can complete a show such as this is purely due to the work and professionalism they have put in all these years. Sandy reminds us again that this is a show of thanks to the American Legion and the USA Armed Forces. He also thanks the police, the firefighters, EMTs - and he even adds in teachers. (I had nothing to do with it, honest

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