“Play On: Power Pop Heroes” is the first in a scheduled series about some of rocks most dominant “Power Pop” bands such as The Beatles, The Byrds, The Hollies, The Zombies, Badfinger and multiple others. In the book, Sharp credits The Who’s Pete Townsend with coining the phrase “Power Pop.” Pete used the term as he described the band’s newly released 1967 single “I Can See For Miles.”
In a recent press release, Sharp describes what makes the genre so unique, “…the stylistic glue that welds it all together into one thrilling two-to-three-minute musical joyride is a collective reverence for a picture-perfect melody that will take your breath away and a supersonic hook, the size of the Empire State Building, that's near impossible to forget.” With a forward by The Raspberries Eric Carmen who is quoted as saying, “I think the essence of power pop is its transcendent ability to put a smile on your face and make the hair on your arms stand up. That’s what it’s always done for me” and features in this first volume on the pioneers of modern rock such as The Beach Boys, The Dave Clark Five, The Turtles, The Kinks, The Bee Gees and Small Faces; one can see why these acts were lumped into this category. All of them established raw energy and unheard of sounds as they blazed a trail that would be followed by a multitude of others and in some cases, even more successes of their own with solo careers and other bands.
One such example of this continued good fortune is that of the great Graham Nash. Nash broke in as a member of the Hollies and of course would go on to gain prominence with Crosby, Stills and Young in one of the most popular groups in all of rock history. Sharp asked of Nash, “When did you first realize you broke through in the U.S. with the Hollies?” To Which Nash replied, “It happened with one of our earliest records called “Stay” by Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. The Hollies did a really energetic, good version of that song. But then this band we didn’t know called the Four Seasons did a version of the song, which overtook ours. But that was the first time I thought, you know, we probably can do okay in America.”
Perhaps another is a quote from The Zombies Rod Argent who also had commercial success after the band went their separate ways. Rod discusses the moment with Sharp when the decision was made to add vocalist Colin Blunstone to the mix, “Colin really blew me away when I first heard him. I met Colin on our first rehearsal. We just put a few people together who were interested in forming a band. I knew the guitarist and the drummer from school vaguely. I was a very good friend with the bass player who left the band after the first year and that’s when Chris (White) replaced him. But Id never met Colin at all. He was a friend of the original bass player. When we met at that first rehearsal I was the singer and Colin was the rhythm guitarist so we sort of bumbled through our first rehearsal. Then during a break, I wandered over to the piano and played “Nut Rocker” by B. Bumble and the Stingers and Colin came racing over to me and said, “You have to play piano in this band.” And I thought that piano had no part in a rock and roll band at that time (laughs). I was a bit bemused by this and went back to singing. Very soon afterwards we had another coffee break and Colin picked up his guitar and started singing a Ricky Nelson song. Now neither of us can remember what song it was but I often say to Colin that I can still hear a bit of Ricky Nelson in his voice. I was completely blown away by Colin’s singing and thought he sounded fantastic. His range and pitch was great, quite naturally at that age. And I said, “Well, I’ll tell you what, I still want to sing but you’re gonna be the lead singer.”(Laughs)A lot of people don’t realize how powerful his voice is but at the same time he had a wonderful huskiness to his voice as well. His voice has changed now. It’s inevitable when you get older some of the characteristics change in your voice but in some ways I think he’s singing better now than he did at 18-years-old. Colin’s voice had a very magical quality then and I think it still has but in a slightly different way now. His voice is very plaintive and very special and he doesn’t sound like anybody else.”
“Play On: Power Pop Heroes” is rife with quotes and stories from the bands and artists who gave the ‘60’s and early 1970’s their signature sound. One such amusing anecdote is told by Roger McGuinn; famous member of The Byrds. Roger recounts one of the group’s earliest gigs which happened to be a birthday party for a famous movie starlet. “One of our early shows was at a bowling alley in the San Fernando Valley. Our set was comprised of covers; we were doing Beatles songs and Bob Dylan songs. We had rearranged quite a few Bob Dylan songs and had taken them out of their original time signature and put into a rock and roll beat. One of our early gigs was for Jane Fonda’s 21st birthday party in Malibu. Derek Taylor had been the Beatles’ press secretary and he was working for the Byrds and the Beach Boys at that point, and it was his job to arrange for the Byrds to play at Jane Fonda’s 21st birthday party (laughs). So they invited the Byrds and we went out there. What Derek hadn’t planned on was some of our followers made their way in and they were really out there, half naked bohemians with body paint and ribbons in their hair. They were dancing around like demons up and around Henry Fonda and he was going, “What is going on?” Henry Fonda didn’t like loud rock and roll music and asked us to turn it down.”
Excerpts like these can be found throughout Volume One of this great book which also features several track by track descriptions of various “Seminal albums” to go along with the over 500 pages of interviews from more than twenty different artists. Sharp has taken pain staking time and effort in searching for just the right mix of performers which put together this first volume. “Volume Two” when finished will feature even more of the great bands we’ve all heard and enjoy. Bands such as Rick Springfield, Utopia, The Hudson Brothers, Cheap Trick and The Bay City Rollers will be the focus. Preliminary looks at “Volume Three” showcases The Romantics, the Go-Go’s, The Knack, The Bangles and the Smithereens just to give some brief insight to the many who sat down with Sharp and relayed their experiences.
This series promises to be informative, interesting and a must read for any classic rocker or music enthusiast. This is a definitive behind the scenes look into the private recounts and memories of some of the great performers and songwriters who transcended from AM to FM and even today’s Satellite Radio.
Pick it up today by going to http://www.goodmusicguy.com/play-on-power-pop-heroes-volume-1-2/ or Jetfighter for $39.95
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
THIS WEEKS CALENDAR LISTINGS
Alchemist & Barrister
28 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-5555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Bones of Contention
Sun. 9 p.m. Princeton Area Bluegrass Jam
Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night
All shows 21+
Amalfi's Restaurant & Bar
146 Lawrenceville-Pennington Road Lawrenceville
(609) 912-1599
Sat. 8:30 p.m. The Aldrich Brothers Band
Amarones Windsor Inn
29 Church St. Windsor
(609) 448-7144
Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Scott Gager & Debbie
Fri. 8 p.m. Ernie White & Tom Reock
Sat. 8 p.m. Meg Hanson Band feat. Billy Hill
Tues. 7:30 p.m. Texas Hold'em
Wed. 7 p.m. FREE Salsa Lessons
Big Shots Bar and Grill/Hebe Music Lounge
835 E Rte. 130 South, Burlington
(609) 267-1200
Mon. 7 p.m. Flintface, Soraia, Tortoise Pilot
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic.
Blend Bar & Bistro
911 Highway 33, Hamilton
(609) 245-8887
Tues. 8 p.m. Triviajam
Candlelight Lounge
24 Passaic St. Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Sat. 3 p.m. Pat Tandy Quartet. (No cover-$10 minimum)
Chambers Walk Cafe
2667 Main St. Lawrenceville
(609) 896-5995
Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton
The Backstage at Championship Bar
931 Chambers St. Trenton
Sat. 7 p.m. Hopeless Martyr, A Scent Like Wolves, Colour & Codeine, Buzzard Canyon, (TBA). All ages, $10
Wed. 4 p.m. All ages, $10/$12
Chickie's & Pete's
183 US Highway 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-9182
Tues. 8 p.m. Acoustic Music Night feat. The Dawgs
Dubh Linn Square
167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown
(609) 298-7100
Sun. 4 p.m.Billy O'neal
Tues. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Shaun Ruymen
Wed. 9 p.m. Trivia Night
Fran's Pub
116 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215)862-5539
Mon. 8 p.m. Open Mic Blues Jam hosted by Jimmy Pritchard
All shows 21+
Halo Pub
4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square
(609) 586-1811
Sat. 7 p.m. Deb & Mike
Havana New Hope
105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-9897
Thurs. Beat the Clock College Night DJ Dance Party
Fri. 8:30 p.m. Shot of Southern
Sat. 8 p.m. Ian Hunter and his Rant Band. Ages 21+, doors at 6 p.m., $40 (general admission)
Sun. 2 p.m. Midnight Sun Orchestra
Mon. 10 p.m. Karaoke in the Bar w/ DJ Ron Sherr and Bridget
Wed. 8 p.m. Pat Foran and Friends
All shows 21+
Ivy Tavern
3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton
(609) 888-1435
Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke
Sat. 10 p.m. Papa Delux
All shows 21+
John & Peter's
96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-5981
Thurs. 9 p.m. I Have Been Floated w/John Williams of Quilt
Fri. 9 p.m. Halloween Show w/ Ammunition / The Sound of Urchin
Sat. (3 p.m.) Run to Sandy (9 p.m.) Atomic Age
Sun. 3 p.m. Jason Ager
Mon. 9 p.m. Open Mic. Night w
Tues. 9 p.m. Comedy Night w/ Mark DiAlto & Mark Riccadonna Storytelling Show
Wed. 9 p.m. The Invitational
All shows 21+
JoJo's Tavern
2677 Nottingham Way Hamilton
(609) 586-2678
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke
Palermo's Of Hamilton
310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton
(609) 838-7979
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
All shows 21+
Patriot's Crossing
1339 River Rd. Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Fri. 7:30 p.m. Halloween Party w/ The River Dogs
Sat. 7:30 p.m. Lisa Bouchelle and Joe D'Angelo
Pete's Steak House
523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton
(609) 585-8008
Fri. 9:30 p.m. "Halloween Party" w/F2 and The Anchovy Brothers
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Out of The Red
RHO Waterfront
50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 9 p.m. College Night Costume Party w/ DJ Paul Desisto
Fri. (4:30 p.m.) Happy Hour $10 Buffet (8:30 p.m.) Annual (optional) Costume Party w/ High in the Mid 80's
All Shows 21+
Sunsets at Cream Ridge
181 Rte. 539 Cream Ridge
(609) 208-2500
Fri. (6 p.m.) John & Maggs) (9:30 p.m.) Halloween Party w/ DJ Nebbs
Sat. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit
Tavern On The Lake
101 Main St. Hightstown
(609) 426-9345
Fri. 9 p.m. Halloween Party w/ Far Cry
Sat. 9 p.m. (TBA)
Wed. 8 p.m. Karaoke Night
The Ivy Inn
248 Nassau St. Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
Fri. 10 p.m. DJ Darius
Sat. 10 p.m. DJ Joey El
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ Ron Sherr
The HOB Tavern
146 Second Street
(609) 291-7020
Fri. 9 p.m. Halloween Party w/ DJ Entertainment
The Record Collector
358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown
(609) 324-0880
Sat 8 p.m. John Ford Band w/ Edward Rogers. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $15 (advance)
The Sticky Wicket
2465 South Broad St. Hamilton
(609) 439-0007
Fri. 9 p.m. Halloween Party
Sat. 9 p.m. Halloween Party w/ The Devil
All shows 21+
The Sun National Bank Center
81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check web site for upcoming events
Tir Na Nog
1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Fri. (5 p.m.) Tommy Glover (9 p.m.) Halloween Party w/ Tommy Glover
Sat. 9 p.m. Mr. Lucky
Sun. 3 p.m. Irish Sessions
All shows 21+
Trenton Social
449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 8 p.m. Cinema Thursdays Presents: Double Feature "Daisy Derkins, Dogsitter of the Damned / Evil Brew
Fri. 10 p.m. Friday night w/ Jay Kountree & Jaxx
Mon. 10 p.m. Service Industry Night w/ DJ-Jay Kountree
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Fri. 10 p.m. Halloween Party w/ Mixxtape
Sat. 10 p.m. The Sun Parade. $5 (cover charge)
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Jam Night
Tues. 9 p.m. Acoustic Grateful Dead feat. members of Splintered Sunlight
All shows 21+
Wildflowers Inn
2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington
Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock
Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
