FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Henry J. DeLuca (412) 681-0652
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMERS – CHARLIE THOMAS’ DRIFTERS – TO HEADLINE ROOTS OF ROCK AND ROLL VOL. XXXIX
FEBRUARY 23 AT PITTSBURGH’S BENEDUM CENTER
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| The Drifters |
Doo Wop special lineup to include Kenny Vance & the Planotones, the Flamingos,
The Original Clovers, the Charts, Kathy Young, Josh White, Jr. and Pittsburgh’s Pure Gold
Pittsburgh – Jan. X, 2013 – Charlie Thomas’ Drifters, one of the rock era’s most popular and prolific groups and one of the first groups inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will headline the Roots of Rock and Roll Volume XXXIX on two shows, 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday February 23, 2012 at Pittsburgh’s Benedum Center. The Drifters’ are celebrating 60 years in show business and their 30 chart hits include enormous tunes such as “Under the Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “On Broadway,” “This Magic Moment,” and many more. The Roots of Rock and Roll concert series has appealed to audiences of all ages for three decades and is the premier venue for the music that shaped rock ‘n’ roll and American culture. These shows also focused the nation’s entertainment spotlight on Pittsburgh and created record-setting television and fund-raising productions for PBS.
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| Kenny Vance & the Planotones |
Kenny Vance, an original member of Jay and the Americans, has secured his spot in doo wop history by assembling the Planotones, a crowd favorite. Their harmony will soar on “Cara Mia,” “Diamonds and Pearls,” “Come Go with Me,” “Angel Baby” and Kenny’s doo wop anthem, “Looking for an Echo.”
The “Roots” audience will get a taste of “Love Potion No. 9” when another hugely popular group, the Original Clovers, featuring Harold Winley, reprises that smash hit plus others like “Devil or Angel,” “One Mint Julep,” “Lovey Dovey” and “Your Cash Ain’t Nothin’ but Trash.”
The show will also feature a group that created one of Pittsburgh’s most evocative ballads – the Charts with “Deserie.” And rounding out the show will be two single acts featuring tunes that have become endearing to Pittsburgh doo wop fans – the fabulous Kathy Young performing her anthem “A Thousand Stars” and Josh White, Jr. publicly performing his Pittsburgh hit, “Do You Close Your eyes,” for the first time ever.
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| Kathy Young |
Opening both shows for the 39th time will be Pittsburgh’s favorite show band, Pure Gold. Pure Gold demonstrates a unique love and respect for R&B, doo wop and rock ‘n’ roll through their flawless five-part harmony and unmatched orchestration. Pure Gold’s vocalists and band have provided accompaniment for countless top acts including Eddie Holman, Jerry Butler, Frankie Valli, Dionne Warwick, Gene “Duke of Earl” Chandler, Lenny Welch, Connie Francis and the late Lou Rawls. They have anchored more than 20 nationally broadcast PBS concerts.
Tickets are available at the Benedum Center for $45.75 and $30.75 (412-456-6666) or by mail with a $1.00 discount (until February 5) at HJD Enterprises, PO Box 5141, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206. More information is available at www.puregoldmusic.com.
The Roots of Rock and Roll series, now in its 33rd year of playing to sold-out audiences, is produced by HJD Enterprises, one of the nation's leading producers of quality live and broadcast entertainment events. The Roots of Rock and Roll was a part of the genesis for an entire series of nationally televised PBS shows that continue to set viewing and fund-raising records across America. HJD also has arranged several emotional reunions of original artists from the early years of rock ‘n’ roll that many in the business had thought impossible, including the Jerry Butler with the Impressions. Fans represent all age groups, as demonstrated by the huge success of the My Music concerts HJD has produced for Public Broadcasting, from baby boomers who grew up with the music, to today’s youth who have a new respect and appreciation for the harmony, lyrics and beat of this timeless music.
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