January 20, 2025. And with that, Jon "Bowzer" Bauman leaves the building and enters retirement from performing.
As with most of us, Jon will not be at a loss for things to do. He still maintains the success of his Truth in Music law and will continue his campaigns for Social Security Works! Medical issues have forced him to give in to the fact that jumping around as Bowzer is no longer an option. How to say good-bye? It isn't going to be easy.
I asked for this last moment. I wanted a bang-up good-bye show. Bowzer and Mohegan listened and even though the first snowstorm of the year was looming, they gave me and everyone else in this filled arena a thrill and tears we will not forget. TWENTY-THREE years of Bowzer's Doo-Wop, Rock N Roll, or Rock and Doo-Wop shows are now coming to an end. The two years prior, we watched him in The Wolf's Den. That makes 25 years of shows. I missed a couple due to snow or illness, but I am in the midst of sorting through old ticket stubs and have found a pile of MOHEGAN SUN BOWZER tickets. Since "your phone is your ticket" is now used, I will file these with my reviews and then file no more.
The snow is expected to be heavy ... except along the shoreline and in southeastern CT. Where do I live? Along the shoreline. Where am I going? To southeastern CT. What do I do? JUMP IN THE CAR AND HEAD TO MOHEGAN SUN.
I did not encounter any foul weather on my way to the Arena. Sitting in my seat, I watch a video of The Comets appearing in a past show. Bowzer is the one who brought them back together to appear many times in his shows and I stare wide-eyed, remembering their antics and the reviews I wrote of them. I realize that this show will not JUST be about tonight, and Bowzer, but will honor all the past shows to the best that they can. The words THANK YOU come to mind.
"FOR THE LAST TIME"
Can Bowzer really be saying these words as he heads onstage? OK, now I am emotional.
The two men responsible for 25 years of Bowzer shows are Jimmy Fox and Maynard Strickland. I should say Saginaw Maynard Strickland, as he has been bestowed with the highest Mohegan honor. Jimmy has passed away, but his portrait hangs in a place of visible honor at Mohegan and is posted on the backdrop while Saginaw Maynard gives a touching thank you speech to Bowzer for all the years he has dedicated to preserving the songs and original artists of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The opening performers are The Dubs. Cleveland Still is 90 years old and has been talked into coming to this farewell bash by Bowzer. The last time I saw Cleveland perform, he entered with a walker and sat on a stool. That was at least three years ago, as I know he did not perform last year. Tonight, one of The Dubs wheels him out in his chair and I watch him gleefully sing and move his hands in rhythm with the others. Now the tears come down my cheeks. This is not only the last time I will see Bowzer perform, but also the last time I will see several of tonight's artists perform.
Don't Ask Me To Be Lonely
The Chapel of Dreams
Could This Be Magic
Bowzer tried to get Shirley Alston Reeves to come out of retirement as well, but she declined. Some of you know how much I loved watching her and drooling over her stage outfits. So I was pleased that Bowzer shared a video of Shirley and her Shirelles from one of his previous shows. WOW! Her dress is gorgeous. 🤩
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
I have not seen Peggy March perform in several years. Apparently, she is so big in Europe that she performs all over the UK, Germany, France, etc. What?? She flew back here purposely to appear in today's show and is then flying back to Europe to resume her tour. What an honor!
Bandstand
Rock Around the Clock
Bridge Over Troubled Waters (dedicated to serving armed forces)
I Will Follow Him - Her mother told her she could not be a dancer on Bandstand until she was 16 years old. Recording this song got her an appearance at age 15! HA-HA Mom!
A video of The Platters reunion of Tony Williams and Herb Reed precedes the appearance of Frank Pizzaro - the music of The Platters.
With This Ring
Frank Pizzaro sings with members of Sonny Turner's and Herb Reed's Platters. He is a 9/11 firefighter whose voice Sonny Turner likened to the voice of Tony Williams of the original Platters.
My Prayer
The Great Pretender
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
Bowzer plays Chopin in honor of his mother for the "last time in the Mohegan Sun Arena." More tears. I am thankful for the invention of waterproof mascara.
LaLa Brooks! Yes, she was 13 years old when she started singing with The Crystals and 15 years old when she started recording with Phil Spector. She can still dance to a squat on the floor and roar with her current Crystals in Tina Turner moments. And her stage wear is GORGEOUS! Ok, yes, I am knocked out by flashy stage apparel.
And Then He Kissed Me
Da Doo Run Run
Proud Mary
This next video is of the first headliner from the Mohegan Sun Arena shows. Who? I think back. I cannot be sure I know the answer. More clues please.
"His last show was in 2010 and he died four weeks later." OH yes. Now I know. I was at his last show.
It is Johnny Maestro. Johnny knew he was not going to live much longer, but he told no one else. His performance was superb. I remember watching with friends and marveling at his voice sounding exactly like his recordings. Bowzer could tell he wanted to do an encore, and so Johnny sang "You'll Never Walk Alone." Knowing all this now, how did he ever get through that song?
The Worst That Could Happen
Bobby Wilson seems to have found peace with the fact that he is Jackie Wilson's son. There is a documentary that follows the progression of his adoption, illnesses and final DNA results that gave him closure. He refers to songs "by my father" as he sings and rules the stage with showmanship and rubber leg moves that make me laugh and clap willingly. I recognize The Chiclettes as his backing female group.
That's Why I Love You So
Lonely Teardrops
To Be Loved
Your Love is Lifting Me Higher
Johnny Maestro wasn't the only performer to choose Mohegan and Bowzer as their final concert. Jay Black asked to perform in 2017 and really should not have been there. No one will ever know why he wanted to nor why his management and back-up musicians allowed it. I cannot find positive words to support him. So, I will use his words to Bowzer as he leaves the stage. "I sucked ... and they loved me." This video of the reunion between Kenny Vance and Jay Black on the Mohegan stage helps to remember the better days.
Let It Be Me
We have NOT hit intermission yet! The closers of the first half of the show (two and a half hours in) are Jay Siegel's Tokens. Jay was the first one to notify me that he was appearing in this show, thereby asserting that a show would surely be happening. I told Mohegan I knew they were going through with this farewell idea and that they needed to get tickets on sale tout de suite. Jay is one of the 85 year olds here tonight; that being the number I hear dropped most. Their ages matter not to me as their music is not only timeless and ageless, but forever in my life.
Tonight I Fell in Love
I'll Always Love You
Portrait of My Love - YES YES
See You in September / One Fine Day
Diamonds and Pearls - sung acapella with the Tokens and Jay's son, Jerry.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - It's always just a whim away.
INTERMISSION
Bowzer is going to keep us to this 15 minute slot as this is a lengthy show. He starts announcing "Return to your seats, Mohegan Sun" right on time and although my knees stiffened after sitting for this two and a half hour opening, I was able to get to the ladies room, stand and exercise my legs for a minute before I needed to retake my seat.
The Sha Na Na television shows have not been re-aired due to musical publishing complications. Bowzer has them all and says they have stood the test of time and he would like to find a way to get them back on TV. We get to watch a scene now that pits Bowzer against Ethel Merman singing 'ANYTHING YOU CAN DO.' Oh my! Remember when Bowzer was the size of a walking stick? And the grease on his shocking black hair could have been peeled off and reapplied.
The next video is from later years when Bowzer's son, Eli, was participating in the show. A duet of Eli and his dad doing 'Mr. Bassman' as I remember them. Bowzer refers to Eli's accomplishments as well as his love and gratitude for his wife, Mary often tonight. Eli has written, done lyrics and melodies and directed a musical called '44 - The Obama Musical.' I am not sure if it has traveled from the west coast. I would like to view it.
When Bowzer and The Stingrays perform, Bowzer does in-depth introductions since this is their final performance together. I would see these young guys bounce onto the stage and figure them to be in their early twenties - which would be difficult over 25 years. It never occurred to me that they aged. Now I see one of them has grown a beard edged with gray. There have never been beards allowed among The Stingrays. As the last performance, Bowzer has allowed them free reign and Anthony, Peter, Monty and John become seasoned performers who may have started as a Stingray when they were 19, but are now 56. Yes, that is over 25 years, but they worked with Herr Bowzer long before Mohegan snapped them up for a yearly role
Blue Moon
Mary Did You Know - a tribute to the years of Christmas shows they did in Florida - These too have now ended.
Bowzer's friend and former Sha Na Na performer, Johnny Contardo, comes out next. Johnny had to say good-bye to Bowzer's Christmas show in December and now finds himself restating his loss here at Mohegan. The friendships will still abide, but the loss is that of a co-worker. A co-worker who was your boss at times, but was always your friend, as he had your best interests in his heart.
Runaway
Those Magic Changes
Lovers Never Say Good-bye - the traditional duet with Bowzer
The word on the street is that Chuck Berry was a tough guy. Talented? Yes! Innovative? Yes! Successful? Yes! But tough to get along with.
One person he admired as being a "really nice guy" and always was eager to catch up with him was Gary US Bonds. Gary (also 85 years of age), his wife and daughter bring down the house with his fast-paced musical legacy. He expresses the reasoning for singers to do medleys. "We're just tired of doing these damn songs so let's string them together." Don't believe him. The joy he has performing any of his songs is obvious.
New Orleans
Medley: Twist Twist Senora / School is Out / Dear Lady Twist
This Little Girl Is Mine
Quarter To Three
Rocky and the Rollers have been the band for all these performers, adding in particular guitarists or pianists who travel with the various performers. Now they leave the stage, and the backing band for the closing act starts to set up. In other shows we would just wait, but this is Bowzer's last show and we can "go to the video."
Bill Pinkney and Charlie Thomas are two Drifters. No, no, not the rambling around kind, as far as I know. They were both in personifications of The Drifters singing group. As with so many groups, familiarity breeds contempt, and there were several falling-outs. Bowzer plays a video of another of his reunions, where Charlie Thomas comes onstage to sing 'What a Wonderful World' to Bill Pinkney after Bill's Drifters have performed. Bill cries. Charlie takes Bill's handkerchief and wipes Bill's eyes. They embrace. I see this same thing happening over and over tonight. Twenty-five years of love overcoming problematic issues and just presenting good music.
A final video before our closer. This is a list of the 110 groups and individuals who have performed in this show over the 23 Arena years, many of them in multiple shows. It is difficult to read. I see a name that evokes a memory and I miss the next few listings. This goes on as Bowzer explains that he, too, was surprised by the high number when they put it together. 110 DIFFERENT names, with multiple performances. Many retired or passed on. This gets more difficult and yet more moving as our time is coming to an end.
The closer: Chubby Checker and his band. For me, Chubby's band was too loud to enjoy all his vocals, but if you are a fan, you already know what you are hearing and it may not bother you. Mr. Checker is livelier and more agile than the last time I saw him. The audience is up and dancing ... primarily twisting by the middle of his set. Even people in the high arena are standing and twisting. After four and a half hours, it feels good.
Good Good Lovin'
Twist it Up
Little Bitty Pretty One
I'm Walking
Pony Time
I Saw Her Standing There
Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On
Peggy Sue
Let's Do the Twist
Let's Twist Again
I have not said, "They were great." "They were spot-on." They were fantastic." for anyone tonight or any other superlatives because that is all I would have been writing. They were, each and every one, at their best and giving their all for Bowzer. And the tears flowed. And the hugs continued as they all emerged back onto the stage to sing GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART together. ALL of them for the first time, and as Bowzer would say, "For the last time."🥲
Thank you, Bowzer. Thank you, Mohegan Sun. It was all that I asked for. God Bless.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
Yep. It was snowing on my way home.🥹
