Even though it was 1:30 in the afternoon on a bright sunny day, Little Anthony and the Imperials— Jerome Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine, Ernest Wright, Robert DeBlanc, and Johnny Britt — completely illuminated the stage at the PNC Bank Arts Center on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 as a part of the Garden State Arts Foundation’s 2016 “Senior Concert Series,” a selection of concerts free to NJ residents aged 55 and older.
Since 1984, The Garden State Arts Foundation has provided free programs for senior citizens, families, and children at the PNC Bank Arts Center and other locations throughout New Jersey. According to Ronald Gravino, Vice President of GSAF’s Board of Trustees, “no federal, state, local, or Garden State Parkway toll money” is used to fund any GSAF presentations. Rather, the programs are presented by donations from GSAF partners including PNC Bank, Live Nation Entertainment, Sirius XM '60s on 6 radio, Oldies WOLD 107.9 radio, in addition to contributions from the general public.
Following a warm welcome from GSAF Executive Director Carolyn Santiago and an overture played by his top-notch back-up band, Little Anthony hit the stage solo with a dynamic version of Eric Carmen’s “All By Myself.” And if that wasn’t compelling enough, in the middle of the performance when the Imperials joined Anthony on stage, the full force of the band kicked in, and Anthony’s signature voice soared, it literally gave members of the packed house goosebumps!
Next, the group turned to R&B with a potent performance of Marvin Gaye’s Motown classic, “Heard it Through the Grapevine,” and soulfully rocked the house filled with an estimated audience of 7000 music lovers at The PNC Bank Arts Center.
Taking a moment to greet the Jersey crowd, Anthony welcomed everyone to “beautiful downtown Holmdel.” When asked later about his past experiences performing in the Garden State, Anthony jokingly replied, “Joisey is Joisey,” but followed up by seriously adding, “I enjoy being here in Jersey. I’ve been here many, many times.” Now living in California, Anthony also informed the audience of seniors that he would soon be moving back to the East Coast to settle down in sunny Florida.
Highlights of this midday performance included the group singing their very first Top 10 hit, 1958’s “Tears on My Pillow.” Explaining that, at the end of their shows, many people often told him they somehow missed hearing that song, Anthony, along with the Imperials, sang this song twice for the Garden State crowd — once in the first set and once in the second!
Additional highlights of the program included the boys performing a song which, explained Anthony, “sold two million copies in 1960, but I still don’t know what it means” — 1960’s “Shimmy Shimmy Koko Bop” — in addition to their dramatic 1964 ballad, “I’m on the Outside (Looking In).”
The audience cheered when The Imperials performed a tune which was written by group founder Ernest Wright, an acapella number he wrote for a woman to whom he and at least two other celebrities — Frank Sinatra and Howard Hughes — had once been attracted: Ava Gardner. The song, “Two People In The World,” was released as the B-Side of “Tears on My Pillow” and was also a huge hit, selling a million copies back in 1958.
Next, pointing out that his nickname, “Little,” was just one of “a lot of Littles” including — to name a few — “Little Eva,” “Little Willie John,” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” Little Anthony went on to explain that as far as he was concerned, his “favorite Little” was Little Richard, whom he says he still talks to on occasion. Unfortunately, he went on to add, Little Richard isn’t doing so well these days; as a result, in his old friend’s honor, Anthony and the boys performed a spirited version of Little Richard’s classic rocker, “Lucille.”
After that, Little Anthony’s one-of-a-kind voice was featured on a number which he revealed is his “favorite song” he’s ever recorded — the 1965 classic, “Hurt So Bad.”
Following a knock-your-socks-off version of the Holland-Dozier-Holland penned “How Sweet it Is,” the group performed a tune which, as Anthony revealed, is the song that singlehandedly put them in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — a number written specifically for him that went on to sell four million copies — 1964’s “Goin’ Out of My Head.”
The group’s spectacular performance lifted the audience members to their feet. Following their well-earned standing ovation, Little Anthony and the Imperials burst into their grand finale for this afternoon’s performance — a blistering version of The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” — leaving a smile on Little Anthony’s face and a Jersey crowd with a kaleidoscope of magnificent musical memories goin’ out of their heads!
For more information on future free performances sponsored by the Garden State Arts Foundation at PNC Bank Arts Center — including Tony Orlando on Sept. 22 (for audiences 55 and over) and Herman’s Hermits with Gary Lewis, hosted by Cousin Brucie, on Sept. 9 (for audience members of all ages) — please go to gsacfoundation.org.
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