(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Golden Oldies Spectacular: The Brooklyn Paramount Jubilee of Stars Volume II, on Saturday, March 2 at 7:00pm. This Golden Oldies lineup includes Sunny Turner’s Platters, Danny and the Juniors, The Skyliners, Gary Troxel’s Fleetwoods,The Passions, Lloyd Price, and Cleveland Still and the Dubs. This show is dedicated to the memory of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper who died 60 years ago in a plane crash, commonly referred to as the “Day the Music Died.” There will be a tribute to these great performers. Seven acts that pioneered American rock and roll, all on the same stage. Tickets range from $35-$85.
Headlining the show is “Mr. Personality,” Lloyd Price. Price was born outside New Orleans and played piano and trumpet and sang in the church choir. He started a band with his younger brother Leo (Leo went on to write “Send me Some Lovin” for Little Richard). Price’s first big hit, “Lawdy Miss Clawdy” embodied the rhythm and blues of the region and featured Fats Domino on piano. “Oooh, Oooh, Oooh,” ”Ain’t It a Shame,” and “Restless Heart” were follow up hits, but Price’s budding career was interrupted in 1954 when he was drafted to fight in Korea. While there, he was put in charge of a large dance band that played swing music for the troops. This became the origin of Price’s signature approach to music: combining a lush, full orchestra with the gritty, rawer tempos of R&B. Writing his own material, which was rare for hit makers of his era, Price became a major influence on the history of rock and roll and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. In the late 50s-early 60s, Price had a string of top 20 hits on both the pop and R&B charts, including “Stagger Lee” (#1 on both charts), “Personality”(#2 on pop charts), “I’m Gonna Get Married” (#3), “Lady Luck,” “Question”, “Come into my Heart,” and “Just Because.” Price’s band is comprised of some of the world’s premier musicians, and the six-piece horn section and female backup singers create the signature sound Price made famous 50 years ago.
Sunny Turner’s Platters was formed in 1952. The Platters enjoyed an incredible 40 hit singles on the Billboard Charts from 1955-1967, including four #1 hits: “The Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” Only You,” and “My Prayer.” Other memorable hits include “Smoke Gets in “Your Eyes,” “Enchanted,” “The Magic Touch,” and “Harbor Lights.” They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Danny and the Juniors began singing in the 1950s as teenagers in Philadelphia. In 1957, “At the Hop” went to #1 on the pop, country, and R&B charts and is the #23 rock and roll hit of all time according to Billboard Magazine. “Rock and Roll in Here to Stay” and “Twistin’ USA” were two of their other 11 charted singles. Danny and the Juniors toured in the Alan Freed Big Band Show, performed on American Bandstand more than 50 times and have travelled millions of miles and entertained millions of fans worldwide. Original members Joe Terry and Fred Maffei lead these members of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame onto the stage.
The Skyliners are a doo wop group from Pittsburgh that had a huge hit with their quintessential ballad “Since I Don’t Have You.” They appeared many times on American Bandstand and toured with Dick Clark’s Cavalcade of Stars, performed on many of Alan Freed’s rock and roll shows, and they were the first white act to reach #1 on the Cashbox R&B charts, which led to them performing eight times at the legendary Apollo Theatre. Their music has been featured in many movies, including Lethal Weapon II, La Bamba, and American Graffiti. Other hit singles were “This I Swear,” “Pennies From Heaven,” “It Happened Today,” and “Close Your Eyes.” The Skyliners were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
Gary Troxel’s Fleetwoods were the first group to have two #1 hits on the Billboard Charts in the same year, and the first mixed-gender trio with more one #1 hit. “Come Softly to Me” and “Mr. Blue” both reached #1 on the charts, two of the 11 hits enjoyed by the Fleetwoods. Hailing from Olympia Washington, other hits included “Graduation’s Here,” “Tragedy,” and “The Great Imposter.” They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the Doo Wop Hall of Fame in 2006.
The Passions were formed in 1956 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, with Jimmy Gallagher as their lead singer. Jim Gribble, also manager of The Mystics, presented them with their first hit, “Just to Be with You,” written by Paul Simon and Carole King. “Gloria” and “I Only Want You” also made the charts. Gallagher is also well known for his performances with The Legends of Doo Wop.
Cleveland Still and the Dubs are best remembered for their doo wop classic “Could this be Magic.” This signature song resulted in their many tours with Alan Freed. Other hits included “Chapel of Dreams” and “Don’t Ask me to be Lonely.” Original member Cleveland Still leads the group on stage.
For tickets, more information, or group discounts, call State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469), or visit STNJ.org. State Theatre is located at 15 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
