(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- On November 2nd at 7:00pm, an incredible four act Rock and Roll Spectacular will transport the State Theatre audience back to the wonderful era of the 1960s, reliving those amazing days through their timeless music and its connection with the audience. The show is co-headlined by the legendary Chubby Checker and The Duprees.
Chubby grew up in South Philadelphia and formed a street-corner harmony group at age 8. He learned piano at Settlement Music school and went to South Philadelphia High School, where he entertained classmates, including Fabian Forte, with vocal impressions of Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Fats Domino. After school, he worked at Produce Market, where his boss was so impressed with his customer’s enjoyment of Chubby’s singing impressions that he had him record a version of “Jingle Bells” in which he imitated popular recording stars. Dick Clark sent it as a Christmas greeting to his business associates, and Cameo Parkway records signed Chubby. In 1959, “The Class” was his first hit. “The Twist was originally a “B” side, but Chubby tirelessly promoted it on tv, in interviews and in performances. By the summer of 1960, “The Twist” became a #1 hit, introducing the concept of couples “dancing apart to the beat” and leading to a revolution in dancing with one dance craze leading to another (the Jerk, the Hully Gully, the Boogaloo, etc.), and Chubby was at the forefront with “The Fly,” “The Pony” and “The Hucklebuck.”
In 1962, “Pony Time” was a #1 hit that was on the charts for 16 weeks, and Chubby starred in two movies, “Don’t Knock the Twist” and “Twist Around the Clock.” For the first time in record history, “The Twist” re-entered the charts and by January of 1962 was again #1 on the charts. Chubby Checker merchandise was everywhere: t-shirts, shoes, ties, dolls, even chewing gum! More huge hits followed: ”The Fly,” “Let’s Twist Again,” “The Limbo Rock,” and Chubby won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance. In 1964, her married Catharina Lodders, Miss World of 1962.
Chubby continues to push musical boundaries while performing all over the world. In 1988, “Yo Twist,” performed with the Fat Boys was a #14 hit and in 2007 “Knock Down the Walls” went to #1 on the Billboard Dance charts, introducing Chubby Checker to a new generation of fans. Chubby looks and sounds young and continues his historic dance moves, partying with concert goers. You’ll see why he was the only act to have 5 albums in the top 12 at the same time when you come to the State Theatre.
Co-headlining the show are one of New Jersey’s favorites, The Duprees. Known throughout the world for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written, The Duprees possess a smooth yet powerful vocal quality and heavenly harmonies, evidenced in their many hits, including the blockbuster smash “You Belong to Me.” Other hits include “My Own True Love,” “Why Don’t you Believe Me,” “Have You Heard” and “Exodus.” Their unique arrangements include doo wop harmonies combined with big band orchestrations. Although their romantic harmonies are second to none, The Duprees also present a dynamic stage show that energizes the crowd.
Jay Siegel’s Tokens started as the Linc-Tones in 1955 at Abraham Lincoln high School in Brooklyn. Jay Siegel was the lead singer and Neil Sedaka was also in the group. They evolved into The Tokens in 1960 and had a top 15 hit and million seller in 1961, “Tonight I Fell in Love.” Their international #1 smash hit, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” followed. Unique in the history of pop music, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” re-entered the charts 33 years later and went to #1 worldwide again, stoked by its use in “The Lion King” movie. The new Lion King movie also features “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” Their last big hit was “Portrait of My Love.”
The multi-talented Jay Siegel and the Tokens also produced many hits for The Chiffons, The Happenings and Tony Orlando and Dawn. In 1962, they were the first vocal group to produce a #1 hit for another vocal group (“He’s so Fine” by the Chiffons). They also sang on many commercials for Pan American, Ban, Clairol, Cool Whip and Chesterfield cigarettes. Jay Siegel continues to be blessed with his strong tenor voice and soaring falsetto.
Opening the show will be The Capris. The Capris are a doo wop group from the Italian-American community in Queens, New York whose name was derived from the Lincoln Capri automobile. In 1961, they had a smash hit, “There’s a Moon Out Tonight.” Their second hit, “Morse Code of Love,” was redone in 1984 by the Manhattan Transfer and became a big hit again. The Capris were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007, and their incredible vocal harmonies make them a perfect opening act for this spectacular show.
Tickets are on sale now at the State Theatre box office (15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick), by phone at 732 246-SHOW (7469) and on the web at STNJ.org.
