(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents Golden Oldies Spectacular on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 7:00pm. The concert features The Brooklyn Bridge; The Duprees; Shirley Alston Reeves, original lead singer of The Shirelles; The Marcels; The Capris; Cleveland Stills & The Dubs; Lenny Dell & The Demensions; and Frank Pizarro, former leader singer of Herb Reed’s Platters. Tickets range from $35-$85.
The Brooklyn Bridge were formed by combining the Crests' lead singer, Johnny Maestro, with the Del-Satins (Dion's backup singers), and the horn players from the Rhythm Method. Maestro had several hits in the late 1950s with the Crests, including “16 Candles,” “The Angels Listened In,” and “Step by Step;” and the Bridge still perform those songs in concert. The Bridge signed with Buddah Records in 1968, and they had their biggest hit, “The Worst That Could Happen” (#3), a song written by Jimmy Webb, in 1969. Other hits included “Welcome My Love,” “Blessed is the Rain,” “You'll Never Walk Alone,” and “Your Husband, My Wife.” They sold more than 10 million records and appeared on shows such as Ed Sullivan. The Bridge were featured in 1999 on PBS' DOO WOP 50, and they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005. The incomparable Maestro died in 2010, and Joe Esposito is now the Bridge's lead singer. He performed “Lady, Lady, Lady” in the 1983 film Flashdance and “You're the Best” in 1984's Karate Kid. He also collaborated with Donna Summer on “Heaven Knows” and “Bad Girls.”
The Duprees, New Jersey's own, are known worldwide for their romantic interpretations of some of the most beautiful love songs ever written. They possess a smooth yet powerful vocal quality and heavenly harmonies, evidenced in the huge hit “You Belong to Me.” Other hits include “My Own True Love,” “Gone with the Wind,” “Why Don't You Believe Me,” “Have You Heard,” and “Theme from Exodus.” Although their romantic harmonies are second to none, The Duprees also present a dynamic stage show that energizes the crowd.
Shirley Alston Reeves, original lead singer of The Shirelles, started out in Passaic High School where they wrote and performed “I Met him on a Sunday” at a school talent show. The mother of a classmate owned Tiara Records, so they signed with Florence Greenberg who started them on their illustrious career. Shirley and the Shirelles had seven top 20 hits on the pop, R&B, and UK charts. They are credited with being pioneers of the “American Girl Group genre” and were the first Afro-American girl group to have a #1 hit. Their first #1 hit, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” was written by Goffin and King; their second #1 was “Soldier Boy.” “Mama Said” charted at #2 and “Baby It's You” and “Dedicated to the One I Love” both peaked at #3, and “Foolish Little Girl” was #4. Rolling Stone Magazine named the Shirelles as one of the top 100 best acts in rock and roll history and listed two of their songs among the greatest of all time. Widespread acceptance by white and black audiences of Shirley and the Shirelles' music predated that of the Motown acts. Reeves is still going strong and is one of the classiest ladies in music, and she is beloved by audiences worldwide.
The Capris are an American doo wop group. All original members were from the Italian-American Community in Queens, and their 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 Manhattan Transfer and became a big hit. The Capris were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2007.
Cleveland Stills & The Dubs are an American doo wop group formed in Manhattan in 1956. It is the 60th anniversary of Cleveland Still's big hits: “Could This Be Magic,” “Don't Ask me to be Lonely,” and “Chapel of Dreams.”
The Demensions are a doo wop group comprised of students attending Christopher Columbus High School in the Bronx. In the early 1960s, their version of “Over the Rainbow” became a big hit, supported by renowned DJ Cousin Brucie. “My Foolish Heart” was their second hit, and they appeared frequently on Dick Clark's American Bandstand and performed often at Palisades Park.
Frank Pizarro, former lead singer of Herb Reed's Platters, continues to honor the legacy of Herb Reed, founding and naming member of The Platters. The Platters were one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era with 40 charted singles on Billboard's Hot 100, including “Smoke Get in Your Eyes,” “The Great Pretender,” “Only You,” and “Twilight Time” among the most remembered. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Pizarro is a true American hero. In addition to serving two tours in Iraq, he was also a first responder at the World Trade Center on 9/11 helping evacuate people from Tower 2 as a member of the New York Fire Department.
STATE THEATRE NEW JERSEY is located at 15 Livingston Ave in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
