Happy Together 2023

Friday, June 09, 2023 @ 7:30pm

Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)
100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960

An evening of hit after hit after hit that will have you heading home whistling the soundtrack of the 60s and 70s! Featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony (“Tears on My Pillow,” “Goin’ Out of My Head”), Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (“Young Girl”), The Classics IV (“Spooky,” “Stormy”), The Vogues (“Turn Around, Look at Me,” “Five O’Clock World”) and The Cowsills (“Hair,” “The Rain, The Park & Other Things”).

THE TURTLES

Very few rock performers have remained as vital through the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s as have Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman. Initially they made their mark with the Turtles, then they joined Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention, and then they glided into their own Flo & Eddie persona, dishing out records that have encompassed a multitude of personalities. They’ve always been smart enough to have responded to the latest worthwhile trends in a fashion that has yielded an abundance of quality records, and more than their share of hits. This history will attempt to add a depth and perspective to Kaylan’s and Volman’s unique musical journey, one that, perhaps encapsulates the post-Beatles rock era like no other. This text was originally a companion piece to Rhino’s exquisitely packaged, executive version of “The Turtles Greatest Hits” (RNLP 160). Let’s pause just for a second to make the totally subjective case that the Turtles were the closest America ever came to having a Beatles. Others, like the Lovin’ Spoonful, Rascals and Beach Boys, certainly had as many hits, but the Turtles hits were better conceived and arranged and, like the Beatles, transcended so many styles.

The Rascals lacked the heavy guitars that were the sound of the day; the Spoonful were limited in approach, and didn’t last that long anyway; and the Beach Boys were too square for too long, and somehow seemed tied to a pre-Beatles era. Suffice to say that, even the Turtles more minor hits, the ones which failed to make it onto “The Turtles Greatest Hits.”, all sound like first class records. This will provide a necessary primer for understanding Kaylan’s and Volman’s crazy world, so you’ll be better prepared when the duo hit you with their next record, as their “history” continues. Two guys from Westchester. The one with the curly hair and glasses, and the other with the beard. That’s how Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (AKA Flo and Eddie) refer to themselves. Two slightly bewildered kids thrust into the fast lane of rock ‘n’ roll stardom -hits, fame, national tours, hanging out with the Beatles, joining the Mothers of Invention, acting in the “200 Motels” movie, and on and on … Two guys from Westchester.

Little Anthony and the Imperials is a rhythm and blues/soul/doo-wop vocal group from New York, first active in the 1950s. Lead singer Jerome Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine was noted for his high-pitched falsetto voice, influenced by Jimmy Scott. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, 23 years after the group’s first year of eligibility for induction, waiting longer than any other artist for the honor.

GARY PUCKETT has performed on more than thirty network television shows and prime time specials during his career, even adding a command performance for the President and Prince Charles at the White House. The Union Gap disbanded in the seventies. In 1974, “Young Girl” was reissued in England where it received a silver record award for attaining a top five position on the pop charts, several years after its initial release.

Gary continues to tour nationally & internationally. Gary currently resides in Clearwater, FL with his wife and family.

THE VOGUES

From the mid1960’s into the 70’s, “The Vogues” could be heard on radio stations coast to coast. They were also featured on the top television shows of the time like, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show, multiple times with Dick Clark’s iconic American Bandstand, and many more.

The Vogues unique sound was instantly recognizable and memorable. It was a lively fresh rock ’n roll with an American style that pierced the British invasion.” Their first song to top the charts at #4 and capture hearts was “You’re The One” written by Petula Clark in 1965.

Who can forget “Five O’clock World?” Not only was this a top 5 single in 1965, it remains a top request by fans today.  In 1997, comedian and actor Drew Carey adopted this as the theme song for his very popular television sitcom, adding new fuel to the Vogues fire.

Military Veterans, particularly those who served during the Vietnam conflict, remember how Armed Forces Radio regularly featured the Vogues hits including, “You Are My Special Angel?” You may recall, Bobby Helms first hit the airwaves with this unforgettable lyric, but the Vogues took it to another level using lush orchestration combined with powerful vocal harmonies to make it even more memorable.

Also appearing in 1968, “Turn Around Look at Me” took the world by storm. It was also an orchestral love ballad that established this new sound for the Vogues and firmly locked it in time.

Four gold records,  two platinum albums, and fifty plus years later, The Vogues continue to sellout audiences at concerts around the country.

The Vogues were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001, and remain one of the top vocal groups on the oldies concert circuit today.

The Classics IV, one of the most popular and influential pop groups of the 60s and 70s, originated in Jacksonville, Florida. They achieved phenomenal success with hits “Spooky,” “Stormy,” “Traces,” and Everyday With You Girl, all of which sold well over a million copies and were awarded gold and platinum discs by the Recording Industry of America. All four hits appeared in the 1977 film “The Chicken Chronicles” in addition to various other movie soundtracks including the hit HBO Series “Six Feet Under: By the 1970s The Classics IV accumulated a total of 16 Billboard chart hits, solidifying them as a hit making pop group and crediting The Classics IV with the development of “Southern Soft Rock.” To date The Classics IV have recorded 17 albums including “Spooky,” “Lil Bit of Gold” “Traces” and “Golden Greats.” In 1993 The Classics IV were inducted into The Georgia Music Hall of Fame. The Classics IV popularity is stronger than ever performing in a variety of venues to rave revues and receiving back to back invitations to join hugely popular Happy Together Tour. The group continues captivating audiences with their professionalism, good humor, and ingratiating personalities. In 2011 The Classics IV returned to the studio with the release their album, “A New Horizon,” blending the old with the new. 2015 saw the first ever “Live Album” with the release of “One Stormy Night – The Classics IV Live At The Ritz” and in 2020 the group received great revues and airplay with the first ever Christmas release “All I want For Christmas Is You”.

THE COWSILLS 

Back in the 1960’s, four brothers who wanted to be The Beatles formed a band called The Cowsills. The original Cowsills consisted of Bill on guitar, Bob on guitar and organ, Barry on bass and John on drums. Early gigs were at school dances and churches around their home in Newport, RI. Eventually, as their harmonic sound was perfected, they got a regular gig on Bannisters Wharf in Newport where they would sing Beatle songs hour after hour. Early recordings were released by the four brothers on Joda and Mercury Records. Barbara (“mini-mom”) joined the group to record The Rain, The Park and Other Things and shortly thereafter 7 year old Susan and brother, Paul, were added to the group. They were signed by MGM records and the group began it’s climb to the top!