THE BLACK SWAN SOCIE
T
Past Shows
I've started producing concerts while in high school in the mid 1960s. I started with local bands like MALTESE CROSS [guys from my high school class]. In 1968 I was on the booking committee at my College - St. Francis College of Pennsylvania. The first three shows I worked on were SEALS AND CROFT, the original SHIRELLES and JOHNNY MAESTRO & THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE.
I lobbied to book the original FLEETWOOD MAC or the 4 TOPS, LINDA RONSTADT who was backed by members of the EAGLES and the opening act was JACKSON BROWN, or CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY. I mentioned to the committee a package headlined by the MOONGLOWS and they looked at me like I was nuts. Anyway the upper classmen held sway.
The Shirelles featured all four original ladies. Their bass player was drunk and passed out in the back of their Ford Thunderbird so I had to go to a fraternity house and borrow a bass player from a band playing a party. The Shirelles, especially Mickey, used him as a comedic foil, as he had hair down to his ass and claimed to have never heard their songs before. Whatever, he did a good job faking it. The show was a blast. During the Johnny Maestro show the recently deceased and my good friend NORM VAN LIER [of the Chicago Bulls] got up and sang with Johnny. Norm was a great athlete and not a bad singer!
The cost of each of these bands and groups [except the TOPS was between $1000 and $1200. The 4 TOPS wouldn't play at our college because it was a Catholic school.
Before I started producing concerts regularly in 1988 - working with the Nederlander Organization and Universal Concerts in Los Angeles - I produced a lot of shows on my own featuring Doo Wop, Jazz, R&B, Rock, Folk and Pop. In the mid1970s I put on a show with Joe Turner in a library. I booked Bruce Springsteen and the Persuasions at a college where I was teaching in 1973. In the early 1980s I produced shows with artists such as big band legends ERSKINE HAWKINS [who lived in my hometown], HELEN FORREST and HERB JEFFRIES.
I've also produced a lot of shows all over the U.S. from Arizona, Chicago, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New Mexico, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire - all over the West Coast and even Mexico [with Ron Holden].
In Chicago the MC was the legendary DICK BIONDE. In Los Angeles the MC and my collaborator on most of the shows was the legendary KRTH Dee Jay Brian Beirne. Huggy Boy was also the MC on a few L.A. shows - that was an adventure as Huggy always asked for a 'tip' after the show which was for the ponies at Santa Anita.
Some shows that I never got to produce!
Two great shows that I booked and was ready to produce until stupid things happened and Nederlander and I had to cancel them were
"THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II Concert" at the Greek Theater with ARTIE SHAW and his Orchestra, LIONEL HAMPTON and his Orchestra featuring Illinois Jacquet, HELEN FORREST and PATTI ANDREWS - in August 1995. After working my butt off to get Artie to return to conducting after a 30 year hiatus and Helen to come out of retirement things got dicey with Patti Andrews [she demanded higher and larger billing and that didn't sit well with either Artie or Lionel] and the next thing we knew the plug was pulled on the entire show.
The second show I had to cancel in 1995 was the recreation of GEORGE GERSHWIN's RAPSODY IN BLUE premier concert of 1925. I had the original charts for a 12 piece orchestra featuring musicians playing vintage instruments and had the 3 surviving members of the original 1925 Jean Goldkette Orchestra - who backed up Gershwin in 1925 - attending the concert. It was supposed to be held at the Pantages Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. But the advance ticket sale was very slow, so it was cancelled. L.A Dee Jay and musical historian - Joe Monte - and bandleader and historian - Johnny Crawford [yes from the Rifleman TV show] were both a great help in putting this together.
And of course there were the four Burlington Concerts that were supposed to follow the 1983 Burlington Concert in 1984!
On this page I'll be putting up some of the posters, programs and photos from the concerts that I've produced over the years that folks may not know about - unless they were there. Note, when working with a sponsoring station such as KRTH I had to cater to their playlist. So, while some of the performers on the shows didn't appeal to my tastes, I wasn't producing them for my tastes but for the radio station's audience. Otherwise all of these shows would've been like the Burlington concerts. Regardless Brian Beirne and put together some great reunions of vocal groups and enable a great number of 'retired' performers to get back on stage after decades. Brian has counted that in the 13 Legends concerts at the Greek Theater alone we had over 100 performers perform. You can check with John Stalberg of the Southern California Doo Wop Society because he was at everyone of them!
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The Program for the first "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in November 1988. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Leon Hughe's Coasters, Richard Berry, the only reunion of the original Safaris, Rosie and the 'original' Originals, the Fleetwoods, Little Ceasar & The Romans, The 4 Preps including David Somerville of the Diamonds and some acts not on the cover including the last reunion of the original Jaguars, Bobby Sheen and Ron Holden. The band was an allstar New Orleans band conducted by the great Earl Palmer and the pianist was legendary collector Dave Antrell.
Below the program is the poster that I had when I realized that the program didn't include some of the acts - most importantly the Jaguars. This poster is one of four that I had autographed by all of the singers and band.
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The Program for the first "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in November 1988. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Leon Hughe's Coasters, Richard Berry, the only reunion of the original Safaris, Rosie and the 'original' Originals, the Fleetwoods, Little Ceasar & The Romans, The 4 Preps including David Somerville of the Diamonds and some acts not on the cover including the last reunion of the original Jaguars, Bobby Sheen and Ron Holden. The band was an allstar New Orleans band conducted by the great Earl Palmer and the pianist was legendary collector Dave Antrell.
Below the program is the poster that I had when I realized that the program didn't include some of the acts - most importantly the Jaguars. This poster is one of four that I had autographed by all of the singers and band.
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The Program for the 2nd "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in November 1988. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
The show starred the 4 Preps [again but that wasn't my doing] the Preps also featured David Somerville of the Diamonds and Jim Hayes of the Lettermen, Ron Holden, Jimmy Rodgers, Skyliners, Dick and Dee Dee, Santo & Johnny plus the Legendary quartet of Don Julian, Richard Berry, Tony Allan and Gaynell Hodge singing together for the first time since they attended Jefferson High School together. Also on the 2nd show on Saturday they were joined by Hank Ballard.
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The Program for the 2nd "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in November 1988. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
The show starred the 4 Preps [again but that wasn't my doing] the Preps also featured David Somerville of the Diamonds and Jim Hayes of the Lettermen, Ron Holden, Jimmy Rodgers, Skyliners, Dick and Dee Dee, Santo & Johnny plus the Legendary quartet of Don Julian, Richard Berry, Tony Allan and Gaynell Hodge singing together for the first time since they attended Jefferson High School together. Also on the 2nd show on Saturday they were joined by Hank Ballard.
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The Program for the 3rd "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1990. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Jack Scott, Freddy Cannon, the only reunion of the Pentagons, the only reunion of the Valiants and Alley Cats, Frankie Ervin of the Shields, Sonny Knight, Bobby Lewis, Jody Reynolds, Mel Carter, Terry Stafford, Ray Peterson and Joanie Sommers. Bobby Day was booked for this show but he passed away in July 1990.
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The Program for the 3rd "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1990. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Jack Scott, Freddy Cannon, the only reunion of the Pentagons, the only reunion of the Valiants and Alley Cats, Frankie Ervin of the Shields, Sonny Knight, Bobby Lewis, Jody Reynolds, Mel Carter, Terry Stafford, Ray Peterson and Joanie Sommers. Bobby Day was booked for this show but he passed away in July 1990.
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The Program
for the 4th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with
KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1991. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and
Co-Producer.
It starred the first reunion of the original surviving Robins [Grady, Billy, Ty, H.B Barnum] since the early 1960s, Bobby Vee who was joined on stage by Buddy Bailey of the Clovers to sing DEVIL OR ANGEL, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs who were joined by David Somerville of the Diamonds on LITTLE DARLIN', Don & Deweys' first performance since the early 1960s, Buddy Holly's original Crickets, Marv Johnson, Little Eva, Bryan Hyland, Ed Townsend's first performance since the 1960s, Jerry Wallace, the Tymes and Bobby Helms.
If I had one show of my West Coast shows that I wish I could see one more time this would be it. The Robins, Buddy Bailey, Maurice Williams and the Crickets doing a lot of obscure stuff like Real Wild Child.
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It starred the first reunion of the original surviving Robins [Grady, Billy, Ty, H.B Barnum] since the early 1960s, Bobby Vee who was joined on stage by Buddy Bailey of the Clovers to sing DEVIL OR ANGEL, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs who were joined by David Somerville of the Diamonds on LITTLE DARLIN', Don & Deweys' first performance since the early 1960s, Buddy Holly's original Crickets, Marv Johnson, Little Eva, Bryan Hyland, Ed Townsend's first performance since the 1960s, Jerry Wallace, the Tymes and Bobby Helms.
If I had one show of my West Coast shows that I wish I could see one more time this would be it. The Robins, Buddy Bailey, Maurice Williams and the Crickets doing a lot of obscure stuff like Real Wild Child.
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The Program for the 5th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1992. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Jerry Butler, Betty Everett was a no-show, Guy Mitchell [in his first Rock Show in 30 years], the Tokens, Mel Carter, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Dee Dee Sharp, Paul & Paula, Tommy Roe and Jewel Akens. The reunion of the Hollywood Flames was scheduled for this show - Earl Nelson, Bobby Relf, Gaynell Hodge and Leon Hughes - but the Rolling Stones released HARLEM SHUFFLE and Earl and Bobby thought that they should get $10,000 for their appearance alone and that wasn't in the budget. Seven years later Earl and Bobby wanted to do it for $5,000 and I agreed but KRTH killed it.
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The Program for the 6th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1993. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
This show featured the only reunion of the original Penguins since the early 1960s, Kathy Young's first show since the 1960s. J.J. Jackson, Marvin & Johnny, Phil Phillips, Fontella Bass, Shirelles, Buddy Knox, Clarence Frogman Henry, Merilee Rush, Len Barry, Jay & The Techniques and a reunion of the Teddy Bears' Carol Connors and Marshall Leib [Carol used a hand puppet to stand in for Phi!]
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The Program for the 7th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1994. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It starred the 2nd reunion of Kathy Young & The Innocents [the first occured in March 1994], the Marcels, the first reunion of the original Cascades, Gladys Horton & the Marvelettes, Jimmy Jones, Frankie Ford, Roy Head, Chiffons, Freddy Cannon, Lenny Welch, Bruce Channel and the Gentrys.
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The Poster [the flyers are in storage] for the 8th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1995. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
The show starred the original Diamonds, the first and only reunion of Vernon Garrett & the Velvatones [along with Don Julian ], Gene Chandler, Charlie Thomas' Drifters, the Olympics, the reunion of the Angels, the first performance by Charlie and Inez Foxx since the 1960s, Bobby Boris Pickett, We Five and Tommy Sands.
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The Program for the 9th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1996. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Frankie Lymon's Teenagers, the Rivingtons, Lou Christie, Doris Troy, Sam The Sham, the Chantays reunion, Doris Troy's first performance since the 60s, Dodie Stevens, Ian Whitcomb and the Archies.
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The Program for the 9th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1996. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Frankie Lymon's Teenagers, the Rivingtons, Lou Christie, Doris Troy, Sam The Sham, the Chantays reunion, Doris Troy's first performance since the 60s, Dodie Stevens, Ian Whitcomb and the Archies.
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The Program
for the 10th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with
KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1997. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and
Co-Producer.
It featured Chuck Berry, Cleve Duncan & The Penguins, the Skyliners, Mel Carter, Jimmy Jones, Rosie & The Originals, JJ Jackson, Kathy Young, the Crystals, Len Barry, Leon Hughes' Coasters, Bobby Boris Pickett, Freddie Cannon, Tony Allan, the Murmaids [not on the program added to the show two days before the show]
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It featured Chuck Berry, Cleve Duncan & The Penguins, the Skyliners, Mel Carter, Jimmy Jones, Rosie & The Originals, JJ Jackson, Kathy Young, the Crystals, Len Barry, Leon Hughes' Coasters, Bobby Boris Pickett, Freddie Cannon, Tony Allan, the Murmaids [not on the program added to the show two days before the show]
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The Program for the 11th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1998. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It starred the original Jacks - Cadets first reunion in over 35 years, Del Vikings, Capris, Kingsmen, Tokens, Gary U.S. Bonds, Barbara Lewis, Eddie Floyd, Frankie Ford and the Champs. The reunion of the Jacks - Cadets was amazing and I had worked for over ten years to get them to do it.
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The Program for the 12th "Legends of Rock N' Roll Concerts that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Greek Theater in October 1999. Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
It featured Chubby Checker, the Box Tops, the Legendary Blue Notes, the Hues Corporation, Jay & The Techniques, the Casinos, Bobby Sherman, Al Wilson and others not on the program.
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The original program for the 1983 Burlington Concert. The page on the right was also the poster.
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The poster for the 1st Black Swan Concert in March 1986. It featured the Cardinals - Swallows - Plants, Marylander, Castelles - Angels, Rene Hinton Capris, Keystoners, Tymes, Revels, Majors - Versatiles, Jimmy Springs' New Red Caps, Ecstasies, Moments Pleasure, Bobby Thomas of the Vibranaires, Tycoon and John Van Loan son of Joe Van Loan and Brian Van Loan so of James Van Loan in tributes to their Fathers. Andy Magruder of the 5 Blue Notes and the original Blue Notes featuring Franklin Peaker both signed contracts but never showed.
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The poster for the October 1986 Black Swan Concert. It featured the Angels - Castelles, Rene Hinton of the Capris, Revels, Swallows, Dreamlovers, Silhouettes, Majors - Versatiles, Keystoners, Tymes, the final performance of Brenda & The Tabulations, the reunion of the Turbans and host Kae Williams. Again Franklin Peaker and the Blue Notes had agreed to perform but Franklin decided the day of the show not to. This show was one that snigers insisted on doing as a music organization in Philadelphia failed to list one R&B or Doo Wop group or singer on its list of singers to be honored.
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The poster for the October 1986 Black Swan Concert. It featured the Angels - Castelles, Rene Hinton of the Capris, Revels, Swallows, Dreamlovers, Silhouettes, Majors - Versatiles, Keystoners, Tymes, the final performance of Brenda & The Tabulations, the reunion of the Turbans and host Kae Williams. Again Franklin Peaker and the Blue Notes had agreed to perform but Franklin decided the day of the show not to. This show was one that snigers insisted on doing as a music organization in Philadelphia failed to list one R&B or Doo Wop group or singer on its list of singers to be honored.
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The Program for a concert I produced in New Jersey in 1991. I produced it with my company Concert Masters and the MC was Jerry Blavat. Jerry had another engagement that evening and for much of the show Eugene Pitt did a marvelous job as the MC of the concert.
It featured the Pentagons [last performance], Ron Holden, Solitaires, Jive Five, Five Discs, Lilian Leach & The Mellows, Don & Juan, Rosie & The Originals, Tiny Tim & The Hits, Freddy Cannon, Fleetwoods, Mel Carter, Swallows, Paula & Paula. There were supposed to be fifteen acts on the show but Margo Sylvia passed away 8 days before the show and we changed the progam cover.
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This show may look like it was a monster but it was! No one had ever produced a monster All Latino Rock and Soul concert at one of the main L.A. theaters. This show sold out very quickly and all the promoters - Avalon, Bill Graham, Universal etc., were in shock about this 'little' show selling out so quickly. The night of the show over 10,000 people showed up to get in and the Greek only holds 6400. People were jumping fences, crashing gates, bribing guards to let them in. It was nuts. In addition a lot of singers heard about it and the show doubled in size the days just prior to the show.
This is an advance flyer featuring Question Mark & The Mysterians, Chris Montez, Little Willie G [lead of Thee Midniers] doing his first secular show in 20 years, Sunny & The Sunliners, Rene & Rene, the reunion of the original Blendells, Champs, Rosie & The Originals, The Salas Brothers & Tierra plus the additional acts were the first and only reunion of the original Cannibal & The Headhunters, Sam the Sham and Malo.
Movie stars like Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos and comedian Paul Rodriquez showed up along with a bunch of So. Cal. Latino politicians. It was an amazing event.
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This show may look like it was a monster but it was! No one had ever produced a monster All Latino Rock and Soul concert at one of the main L.A. theaters. This show sold out very quickly and all the promoters - Avalon, Bill Graham, Universal etc., were in shock about this 'little' show selling out so quickly. The night of the show over 10,000 people showed up to get in and the Greek only holds 6400. People were jumping fences, crashing gates, bribing guards to let them in. It was nuts. In addition a lot of singers heard about it and the show doubled in size the days just prior to the show.
This is an advance flyer featuring Question Mark & The Mysterians, Chris Montez, Little Willie G [lead of Thee Midniers] doing his first secular show in 20 years, Sunny & The Sunliners, Rene & Rene, the reunion of the original Blendells, Champs, Rosie & The Originals, The Salas Brothers & Tierra plus the additional acts were the first and only reunion of the original Cannibal & The Headhunters, Sam the Sham and Malo.
Movie stars like Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos and comedian Paul Rodriquez showed up along with a bunch of So. Cal. Latino politicians. It was an amazing event.
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The Program for the 2nd Latin Soul concert that I produced in the summer of 1992. Again it may not look like a monster show but IT WAS. No one had booked the Eddie Holman, There Degrees, the Intruders or Barbara Mason in L.A. since the 1960s. Plus I reunited the Originals and Brenton Wood is one of the biggest name acts in Latin Soul music. The rest of the lineup featured the 20th Anniversary of Tierra and Joe Houston.
The Intruders didn't perform TOGETHER in their set. Tierra had a big cover of it in the 70s and they did it for an encore when they were joined by the Intruders. At this point several hundred young folks - mostly girls - rushed the stage like they were the Beatles - throwing flowers, jumping on stage etc. It was madness.
I produced at least one Latin Soul Concert every year at the Greek and wound up doing these shows all over the West from Texas to Northern California inluding one memorable one in a rodeo/bullfight ring in New Mexico.
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The Program for the 2nd Latin Soul concert that I produced in the summer of 1992. Again it may not look like a monster show but IT WAS. No one had booked the Eddie Holman, There Degrees, the Intruders or Barbara Mason in L.A. since the 1960s. Plus I reunited the Originals and Brenton Wood is one of the biggest name acts in Latin Soul music. The rest of the lineup featured the 20th Anniversary of Tierra and Joe Houston.
The Intruders didn't perform TOGETHER in their set. Tierra had a big cover of it in the 70s and they did it for an encore when they were joined by the Intruders. At this point several hundred young folks - mostly girls - rushed the stage like they were the Beatles - throwing flowers, jumping on stage etc. It was madness.
I produced at least one Latin Soul Concert every year at the Greek and wound up doing these shows all over the West from Texas to Northern California inluding one memorable one in a rodeo/bullfight ring in New Mexico.
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The Program
for a series of three concerts that I produced on Labor Day weekend 1992 at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City. It was a tie in with a fight. From 1988 - 1991 I produced the boxing video for dozens of fights - most in Atlantic City, and I got the great announcer Michael Buffer to be the MC. Michael came up with title Rock and Roll Knockout.
It featured Jerry Butler, the Tymes, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, the Champs, Paul & Paula, Dee Dee Sharp, the Fleetwoods with a reunion of Gary Troxel and Barbara Ellis, Little Eva, Frankie Ford and Mel Carter.
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It featured Jerry Butler, the Tymes, Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs, the Champs, Paul & Paula, Dee Dee Sharp, the Fleetwoods with a reunion of Gary Troxel and Barbara Ellis, Little Eva, Frankie Ford and Mel Carter.
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The Program for a concert called the Magnificent 7 [have to have clever names!] that I produced with KRTH Radio and the Nederlander Organization at the Pacific Amphitheater in April 1992 . Brian Beirne was the Master of Ceremonies and Co-Producer.
The Pacific Amphitheater holds 25,000. We invited around 10,000 troops destined for the Gulf War to the show. It featured Little Anthony in his last show as a solo, Ben E. King, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Freddie Cannon, Ronnie Spector, Lesley Gore and Brenton Wood.
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The Program for a concert I produced in New Jersey in 1994. I produced it with my company Concert Masters and the MC was Jerry Blavat.
It featured the original Robins, the only reunion of the Butlers, Dubs, Kathy Young, Tokens, Orlons, Len Barry, Marcels, Frankie Ford and the Intruders.
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This is the flyer for one of the most unusual shows that I ever produced. The Los Angeles Police Department held a Hispanic Scholarship fund concert in July 1994 at the L.A. Sports arena and KRTH, Brian Beirne and I agreed to produce it. Linda Ronstadt was touring with her Spanish Language tour, Canciones de Mi Padre, and she agreed to perform in the evening portion of the show. In the afternoon we had ten oldies groups including Zola Taylor's Platters, Leon Hughes' Coasters, the origina members of Bill Haleys' Comets, JJ Jackson, the Superbs, Ron Holden, Penguins, Don Julian & The Meadowlarks, Richard Berry and Arthur Lee Maye. I will have to find the flyer for the afternoon show. The Arena held 25,000 and was completely sold out.
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This is the flyer for one of the most unusual shows that I ever produced. The Los Angeles Police Department held a Hispanic Scholarship fund concert in July 1994 at the L.A. Sports arena and KRTH, Brian Beirne and I agreed to produce it. Linda Ronstadt was touring with her Spanish Language tour, Canciones de Mi Padre, and she agreed to perform in the evening portion of the show. In the afternoon we had ten oldies groups including Zola Taylor's Platters, Leon Hughes' Coasters, the origina members of Bill Haleys' Comets, JJ Jackson, the Superbs, Ron Holden, Penguins, Don Julian & The Meadowlarks, Richard Berry and Arthur Lee Maye. I will have to find the flyer for the afternoon show. The Arena held 25,000 and was completely sold out.
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The Poster [there was no program] for the benefit for the Los Angeles Red Cross that I produced at the beautiful Patnages Theater in L.A. with KRTH Radio and Brian Beirne in March 1994. The Northridge Earthquake hit on January 17, 1994. Shortly thereafter Kathy Young suggested that Brian and I put together a benefit concert. In less then five weeks Brian and I got 25 singers and groups to commit to it.
We invited many more then 25 acts but many of them were already booked. But, the performers who did perform did so for nothing and every penny of the proceeds went to the Red Cross.
The performers included Jan & Dean [some of the Beach Boys showed up also], Leon Hughes' Coasters, the original Robins, the first reunion of Kathy Young & The Innocents, Sam the Sham, Marvin & Johnny, JJ Jackson, Preston Epps, Gene Chandler, the Tokens, Paul Peterson, Brenda Holloway, Chris Montez, Fabian, Bobby Sherman, Larry Verne, Cleve Duncan's Penguins, Ron Holden, Tommy Roe, Ed Townsend, Dodie Stevens and a bunch of stars from vintage TV shows and movies such as Ed 'Kookie' Burns, Donna Douglas from the Beverly Hillbillies, Wil Hutchins from Sugarfoot and No Time For Sargents and Dawn Wells from Gilligan's Island on stage and introducing the performers.
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