Saturday night, March 14, 2026. Downtown Milford is packed with after parade festivities as people roam from bar to restaurant, from restaurant to bar. I drive to the Veteran's Auditorium to see Gary Puckett and the Union Gap.
Gary Puckett will be appearing in the Happy Together Tour again in 2026, but what is his concert like when he has more time to perform more than his top hits?
Gary and the band arrived late tonight. It happens. So, the soundcheck is going on at 7:00 PM when I take my seat. Surprisingly, the show starts at 7:45 PM, which is only 15 minutes late. Jamie Hilboldt on keyboards, Woody Lingle on guitar and Mike Candito on drums are meticulously setting up the instruments with the sound volume and quality that the Union Gap songs require. I always find it interesting to watch how much time, effort, and talent goes into a performance BEFORE we see it.
The Union Gap jackets go on. The lights come out. The sound begins and Gary Puckett emerges with his white flowing hair encapsulating the look of authority for this small military song unit. For every seasoned and talented performer, the current concert is THE concert. Big crowd, small crowd, squeaks and cheers ... it doesn't matter. NOW is what matters.
Lady Willpower
Keep The Customers Satisfied
Over You
You Better Sit Down Kids
To Love Somebody
The Mighty Quinn
Don't Give In To Him
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Kiss Me Goodbye
Kentucky Woman
Lady Madonna
M'Lady
This Girl Is A Woman Now
Home
Woman, Woman
Young Girl
As Gary tells us, The Union Gap did many covers on their albums. Jerry Fuller decided that songs that were already a success and were loved by The Union Gap would ensure strong selling albums. Well, they did. Was it the use of already known and successful songs, or the way that Gary and The Union Gap performed them that made the sales? I cannot say, but most assuredly, Gary Puckett and The Union Gap performed each of these with personal meaning and talent.
A story of Gary's that brought ooooohs and ahhhhhhhs from the audience is the fact that Priscilla Presley told him that the song 'Young Girl' was the song that Elvis would sing to her. It became their song. Koooooool!
Remember, Gary will be touring with The Happy Together Tour in 2026 … but go see him with The Union Gap before and after this summer's tour. You will love the stories about each of these songs, the personal add-ons, and, of course, the wonderful talented performance that Gary, Woody, Jamie and Mike present.
I had a wonderful time.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
Forgotten Hits
