Meanwhile, on the next night, back at The Milford Performance Center, I arrive to watch Gary Lewis and The Playboys with Mitch Ryder. The Playboys will be the backing band for both Gary Lewis and Mitch Ryder. Being the band for two such diverse entertainers must be a fun opportunity to stretch your skills. They are accustomed to Gary's fun, light, romantic numbers and for several concerts now they play the edgier, beat-driven rockers that Mitch Ryder performs. This is the last concert for this duo on this run and so they have decided to do a live taping for cd release. When it comes out, buy it and you will hear me in the audience. Just tell yourself it is me that you hear, and if you meet up with me ... lie to my face and tell me you heard me clapping and singing "BOW WOW WOW WOW".
Mitch
performs first and by the time he finishes with 'Devil With a Blue
Dress,' he proclaims his joy at being able to leave the stage and sit
down. Mitch has had three back surgeries in the last year and a half. He
walks slowly and seemingly in pain but when he picks up that tambourine
and sings into the mic, you would swear you had just put the record on
your stereo. As he tells us: "I am still singing because I WANT TO." I
have heard Mitch in live concert six times and each time has been the
same vocal energy. He cannot dance around as he used to, nor jump and
slap his leg but that voice screams 'I am forever young.'
Mitch
tells us NOT to stand to clap no matter what, because, "Once one
topples over, you all fall." Some of us risked it, and I haven't heard
of any medical after-effects from the show.
During
the intermission, a Gary Lewis scrapbook of his childhood to adult
growth plays on the back screen. He opens his show with a video of he
and his father performing 'Sonny Boy' when he was 10 years old. Given
all the animosity that has been reported by the press and all the Lewis
family members about the discord between them and Jerry Lewis, my heart
is warmed to see this. It appears that healing on Gary's part is
happening, and he now seems to enjoy watching the old clips as they
pepper throughout the show.
Singing responsibilities are shared between Gary and the Playboys:
Mike Gladstone - Lead Guitar
Nick Rather - Bass Guitar
Willy O'Riley - Keyboards
Bobby Bond - Percussion
All
of the songs tonight Gary has recorded, though some were covers of
other bands' hits. Gary's description of himself is that he does not
have the best singing voice, but his enthusiasm and showmanship make the
delivery of each song upbeat and bring back memories for each of us.
A
story I have heard many times before is about the press interview Gary
did in which the interviewer told Gary she liked his songs very much,
and that she also liked his father, especially his father's song 'Great
Balls of Fire.' Great research, lady. I can't imagine why the press gets
the criticism it does. I say this after watching this morning's weather
video which states that this Tuesday, on election day, the weather would
be beautiful. Election Day was last week. 
This
Sunday matinee was so much fun. I saw some friends who are new to our
city's oldies performance schedule. They are now buying tickets to the
rest of the shows. For those who are now saying, "SHELLEY, WHAT WAS THE
SET LIST?," here it is
Mitch Ryder - Everybody Shake
Sock it to Me
Bow Wow Wow Wow
Jenny Take a Ride
When You Were Mine (written by Prince)
Shake a Tail Feather
Devil With a Blue Dress
Gary Lewis - Count Me In
Love Potion #9 (this was recorded by many groups)
Sure Gonna Miss Her
Mustang Sally - sung by Mike Gladstone
Save Your Heart For Me
I'm A Believer - sung by Willy O'Riley
This Diamond Ring
Little Miss Go-Go
Wooly Bully - sung by Nick Rather
Sealed With a Kiss
Palisades Park
Green Grass
Everybody Loves a Clown - written by Gary and Leon Russell
Brown Eyed Girl - sung by Willy O'Riley
She's Just My Style - also written by Gary and Leon Russell
Two concerts in one weekend AND there is one next weekend. Life is GOOD!
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
