(AVENEL, NJ) -- Avenel Performing Arts Center presents Richard Barone & Glenn Mercer: Hazy Cosmic Jive on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 7:30pm.
Richard Barone of the Bongos and Glenn Mercer of the Feelies join forces for a special duo performance of a curated set of music from the post-Velvet Underground universe of the mid-1970s — a particularly fertile period of rock experimentation.
Barone and Mercer will explore songs from historic albums by David Bowie, Brian Eno, Roxy Music, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, T.Rex, and others by artists who inspired their own work in The Feelies and The Bongos. They will be joined by Feelies percussionist Dave Weckerman on drums, bassist Bob Torsello (Slambovian Circus of Dreams), and special guests.
Tickets are $34 (plus fees) and available for purchase online. Avenel Performing Arts Center is located at 150 Avenel Street in Avenel, New Jersey.
Richard Barone is a recording artist, performer, producer, and author. Since pioneering the indie rock scene in Hoboken, NJ as frontman of The Bongos and helping to launch the chamber pop movement with his solo debut “cool blue halo”, Barone has produced numerous studio recordings and worked with artists in every musical genre. His list of collaborators includes producer Tony Visconti, Donovan, Lou Reed, and folk legend Pete Seeger. He has scored shows and staged all-star concert events at such venues as Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and SummerStage in Central Park.
His memoir Frontman: Surviving The Rock Star Myth was published by Backbeat Books. His album Sorrows & Promises and his latest book, Music + Revolution (Bloomsbury), are celebrations of the 1960s music scene in Greenwich Village NYC, where Barone lives. He teaches the course “Music + Revolution” at The New School’s School of Jazz & Contemporary Music, has served on the Board of Governors of The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), serves on the Advisory Board of Anthology Film Archives, and hosts Folk Radio on WBAI New York.
Glenn Mercer started on his musical path playing bass guitar with friends in various neighborhood bands. While studying art in college, he switched to guitar and helped form the “Out Kids,” with fellow Feelie Dave Weckerman on drums. Playing covers of semi-obscure garage bands from the 60’s; they soon began writing original material and playing shows in NYC. Bill Million was soon brought in as a replacement for the original bassist player. When the Out Kids broke-up, Glenn, Dave and Bill decided to stay together; Glenn took over lead vocals and Bill switched to 2nd guitar, and they chose the name “the Feelies.”
They released three records in the 80’s (including the classic Crazy Rhythms), before disbanding. Glenn and Dave soon formed the band Wake Ooloo that put out three albums in the ‘90’s. Glenn also began playing with other locals such as Sunburst and East of Venus, then put out Wheels In Motion. In 2008, he reunited with the Feelies for ongoing live performances, and released Here Before in 2011. The Feelies have continued performing.
