Headlining the show is Peter Noone/Herman's Hermits. Peter Noone has been a multi-talented entertainer (singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist, actor) virtually his entire life. As a child in England, he attended Manchester School of Music and Drama and played the role of Stanley Fairclough in the long-running British soap opera Coronation Street as well as appearing in several TV series such as Knight Errant, Family Solicitor, and Monro's Saki Stories.
From the age of 15, he gained international fame as "Herman," lead singer of Herman's Hermits. His classic hits have sold more than 60 million records and include three #1 smash singles: "I'm into Something Good," "I'm Henry VIII, I Am," and "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter." Other hit singles include "Listen People," "Silhouettes," "Can't You Hear My Heartbeat," "A Must to Avoid," "There's a Kind of Hush," and "No Milk Today." In all, 14 singles and 7 albums went gold and Herman's Hermits were twice named Cashbox's "Entertainer of the Year." Very photogenic, Noone graced the cover of nearly every international publication, including Time Magazine; performed on hundreds of top-rated television shows such as Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, Dean Martin, and Danny Kaye; starred in ABC's musical The Canterville Ghost (Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of the classic Pinocchio); and in three feature films for MGM.
In the 1970s, Noone composed songs and produced records for David Bowie and Debby Boone; played the leading roles in full-scale theatrical productions of Aladdin, Sinbad the Sailor, and, in the 1980s, starred on Broadway as the dashing hero Frederic in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of The Pirates of Penzance and then reprised the role at the world-famous Drury Lane Theatre in London. For four years, Noone was the host of VH1's My Generation and the PBS Special, The British Invasion Returns.
Co-headlining the show is Mary Wilson of the Supremes. As teenagers in Detroit, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Florence Ballard began to sing together. They went on to become the most successful female singing group in recording history-The Supremes. Since then, Wilson has gone on to be a part of dozens of hit records, written a best-selling autobiography, Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme, lectured and toured the world and served our country as a US Cultural Ambassador as part of the "Culture Connect" program designed to improve cross-cultural understanding internationally. In that role, she undertook missions to Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Asia, and South America. She also penned a sequel to the bestseller called "Supreme Faith...Someday We'll be Together."
The girls began singing together when Wilson was age 13, and they formed a signing group, "The Primettes," as the sister group to "The Primes" (two members of The Primes went on to form The Temptations). Both groups signed with the new label in town, MOTOWN, and changed the group's name to The Supremes. Motown founder Berry Gordy linked the girls with renowned songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland, and a four decade, 40 album career followed for Mary Wilson. They generated an unprecedented 12 number one hits, including five in a row - "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love," "Stop! In the Name of Love," and "Back in My Arms Again." By 1970, after Diana Ross and Florence Ballard left the group, Jean Terrell and Cindy Birdsong replaced them and Mary Wilson's "New Supremes" had another round of three top 10 hits ("Up the Ladder to the Roof," "Stoned Love," and "River Deep, Mountain High").
In 1977, Wilson began a solo career and continued to perform worldwide. In 1988, she made her stage debut in Beehive, a musical tribute to the female groups of the 60s. More recently, she starred in a national tour of "Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies," celebrating the music of the legendary jazz great. Her off-Broadway shows include Mother's Hubbard, Idealla's Soul Shack, The Vagina Monologues and, at the Detroit Opera House, Grandma Sylvia's Funeral. Her film credits include Disney's Tigertown and Lifetime's TV movie Jackie's Back. She also continues to lecture, with her captivating "Dare to Dream" presentation that is used by such organizations as the American Cancer Society and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
In 1988, The Supremes were induced into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Mary Wilson personally accepting the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jay and the Americans started with four teenagers singing in Sandy Yaguda's Brooklyn basement. From 1962-1971, the group charted twelve top 10 records. The three original members, Sandy Yaguda, Howie Kirschenbaum, and Marty Kupersmith, as well as Jay Reincke, continue to recreate the authentic, unforgettable sound of their great hits, to the delight of their fans. The hits include "She Cried," "Only in America," "Come a Little Bit Closer," "This Magic Moment," "Cara Mia," and "Some Enchanted Evening."
New Jersey's own, The Happenings, will open the show. In the summer of 1966, they had the #1 song in the world—"See You in September," as well as hit songs including "Go Away Little Girl" and "I Got Rhythm." They had nine singles on the Billboard charts, four of which went gold. The Happenings are excellent performers on stage, and Bob Miranda's voice remains one of the treasures of any era, guaranteed to thrill audiences.
For tickets or more information, call the State Theatre ticket office at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit us online at www.StateTheatreNJ.org. The State Theatre ticket office, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 6pm; Wednesday 11am to 7pm; Saturday 1pm to 5pm; and at least three hours prior to curtain on performance dates unless otherwise specified. For information on group outings and discounts, call 732-247-7200, ext. 517. Some additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
