Seventeen years of happiness ... together.
We missed Howard Kaylan when he was forced to stop touring. Now we miss Mark Volman. But we can't stop! This was meant to be a love fest of music. One of those businesses that can be reborn and restitched to reflect the happiness of the present. I have been looking forward to this night. August 1, 2026, at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre. What will happen to The Happy Together Tour?
Shadoe Stevens' voice is still heard at the beginning of the show and announcing each act. Since the line-up changes from year to year, it means he is asked to record the new introductions each year, which keeps continuity.
And the opening act, from Rhode Island? As ever, The Cowsills. Paul and Susan keep each other running across the stage and pulling the audience into the show quickly. Their job? Knock us between the eyes immediately and set the tone for the night. I write a note to myself during the second act stating that the point is to get involved. Performers AND audience! Involved together in music. Another goal is to keep the informality going. No matter how rehearsed, performers feel free to break at any time and connect directly with eye contact and recognition of audience members. For my part, I felt singled out as though I was the only one in the audience at times, but yet my seat was not close enough to the stage for that to be true and without the house lights on, I am a dark blur in a large theatre. Bob, Paul and Susan rule again.
The Rain, the Park and Other Things
Indian Lake
Love American Style
Hair
After the energy of The Cowsills, you would be foolish to think The Vogues would not be appreciated. They received long and loud applause in the middle of their set and as Troy Elich delivered his overstated tour time elements, he actually seemed to appear confused and bus lagged.
Troy: We have been on the road for eight months now!
Royce: No, No, it's eight weeks!
Troy: Oh ok, eight weeks on the tour this year ... 266 concerts!
Royce: No, No, it's 66 concerts this year.
Their harmonies are beautiful. The songs romantic and everlasting.
Five O'Clock World
Special Angel
Turn Around, Look at Me (siiiiiiggggghhhhhh)
You're the One
Troy, Royce, and Elliott, three-part harmony at its best.
A very notable change happens next. Ron Dante comes out to perform as the third set on the tour. For seven years, Ron has performed next to Mark Volman as a Turtle. Having to reign in Mark at times and make sure he was safe during his dementia periods must not have been easy. And now ... he is presenting himself solely as Ron Dante with no Turtles around him. The Turtles started this happiness together but now is a time when rethinking one's options and persistence in wishing for this tour to continue mandates newness. I do not believe this tour is simply about money. (I know. money is involved) It also encompasses love of music, friendship, TALENT, and amazing stage presence.
Ron opens with a Turtles song and explains his performance tonight as lead singer of two groups: The Cuff Links and The Archies. His musical history goes so much further into production and recording with other groups. These were not things I was aware of until he started touring with Mark and my own research came up with surprises.
She'd Rather Be with Me
Tracy
Sugar, Sugar
The audience loves the Archie cartoon that plays at the end of his set. Although the women in front of me could not remember Reggie's name ... be proud of me ... I kept quiet!
There are three new acts this year. None of them have I seen live before. The Fortunes close the first half of the show.
Coming from England, you may say WHAT? I say, HEY! Music is subjective and happiness can come from anyplace and anyone. I welcome the two English groups appearing this year and hope that we can connect with others in the future. I don't want to lose anyone though, so let's just have a day fest. OH, wait a minute. Sorry, Godfrey. You and the band would drop on the stage playing all day. Just go take a break while I talk about The Fortunes.
Eddie Mooney, Chris Hutchison, Glenn Taylor and Michael Smitham complete The Fortunes. As I notice throughout the Happy Together show, there is continuous motion onstage and the performers do their utmost to cover every inch of stage floor. Eddie is running around stage left to center to stage left and back again. He was also the only Englishman in The Walker Brothers and pays homage to them in song tonight. Who else is recognized? Why that obscure band that lead the 60s British Invasion ... The Beatles.
Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore
You've Got Your Troubles, I've Got Mine
Twist and Shout
I loved it! Music I know, but have not seen performed live.
Opening the second half, they bring out the 83 year old Union Gapper who is still making women swoon: Gary Puckett. Gary talks to the audience as friends, always thankful for their support and care throughout the years. The Happy Together Band is back and they support Gary in his hit songs in a way that makes memories and sing-alongs. Thank you again, Gary.
Lady Willpower
Over You
Woman, Woman
Young Girl
The next newcomer is from Chicago. Actually, I don't know if he ever lived there but as the lead singer of the group named after the city, he has the right to say he is from Chicago. Jason Scheff! Jason comes out roaring on his guitar and covers the entire stage as he performs. I love the effects that musicians have when they are able to make it back to the mic in time to pick up their vocals after parading the stage floor so we can each see their fingers awakening the guitar strings. He makes a run to the front of the stage to say Hi to Tom Cuddy and give him credit for all he did for Chicago (again, the band, not the city) back in the day. Tom and I have mentioned trying to say hello to each other at a concert, but in the middle of Jason Scheff's set, keeping my eyes on him is my focus. Sorry, Tom. We need to plan this out better.
What a versatile line-up so far. And as it continues, each act appears able to be themselves and just have fun. How can we make this last longer without making it a longer show? I guess we have figured it out to its best. Just watch and repeat each year.
Saturday In the Park
Feelin' Stronger Every Day
If You Leave Me Now
25 or 6 to 4
The third new act comes out ... The Troggs! Dave Peters and Jason Freddy are wild things! They start with an endearing light love song and move into one of the most sensuous songs of the 60s. It always makes me want to curl up in a chair and let the fantasies roll through my mind. They end with the song that does not have a great melody nor poetically romantic lyrics, but gets you up dancing no matter where you are when you hear it. Jason Freddy is the one in this group who is continuously moving, jumping and running across the stage, making audience eye contact continuously. The pair's presentation of songs perfectly represents the stories of The Troggs and their lifestyles in their 60s heyday.
With a Girl Like You
Love is All Around
Wild Thing
Now knowing who is going to be the closing act, I am worried. The Association has gone through some tough times, most of them out of their control. Shadoe announces them as their NEW formation, down from 11 to 3 members, and to my surprise, they run, jump and yahoo on to the stage. The Happy Together Association members are Jules Alexander, Bruce Pictor, and Paul Holland. If they were appearing elsewhere without the stunning Happy Together Band, Bruce would be on drums and there would be two more with which to be associated. They start with my song:
And Windy has stormy eyes
That flash at the sound of lies
And Windy has wings to fly
Above the clouds (above the clouds)
Above the clouds (above the clouds)
Anyone who has ever been in a lie situation with me will back this up. After the eyes flash, I fly away. Not necessarily forever.
With Jules, Paul, Bruce and The Happy Together Band, we have the dynamic harmonies that set the scene for those 8-tracks playing in the car as you rode with your friends and/or significant person on summer nights such as these.
Windy
Never My Love
Cherish
Along Comes Mary
Returning to the stage is Ron Dante who announces we ALL need to sing Happy Together. We do and we remain happy whether we are remembering past shows or seeing the tour for the first time.
Ron: So, Godfrey what should we do now? Everybody is up out of their seats.
Godfrey: We could order a hundred pizzas.
While this sounds good to me about now, I know for sure that this massive audience will have those pizzas gone before I get even close to a box.
Ron and Godfrey: Let's start the show all over again!
And with that each act returns to participate in the Finale, giving a line or two from their songs and ending with Happy Together.
Godfrey Townsend, Manny Focarazzo, Greg Smith, and Chris Camillari, thank you for your continued support of all these acts and the supreme talent and professionalism you always present as The Happy Together Band. I think I heard some of Peaches and Diesel before The Association came out.
One more thing ... I have curly hair. One of my students likes to touch it and say "I like your hair. Your hair is puffy." As I watched The Happy Together Tour, I saw curls: Greg Smith, Jason Scheff, Jason Freddy, Paul Holland. Thank you for freely showing your curls.
Did it all work tonight? From my standpoint and the standpoint of the audience at The Oakdale, it surely did. We celebrated the music. We celebrated Howard and Mark. We celebrated ourselves. WE CELEBRATED.
Shelley J Sweet-Tufano
NE Correspondent
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