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A Night of Memories... at the Lions Club Doo Wop Concert
by Evelyn J. Mocbeichel

The 1,000 seat South Hampton High School auditorium was filled to capacity, with an excitement in the air. The Southampton Lion’s Club Charitable Trust and WLNG Radio station were hosting their fifth annual oldies spectacular and the audience was ready for another evening of terrific music! Lion’s Club President, Bob Grisnik came on stage looking quite debonair in a “white sports coat and pink carnation.” Softly in the background, the band played the tune of the same name as Mr. Grisnik’s apparel. A creative set design depicted New York City buildings and theater district with marquees showing musical entertainment venues. Grisnick welcomed the audience to the show and thanked all the sponsors for their generous support. Also helping as Co-Master of Ceremonies introducing each act, WLNG radio personality, Rusty Potts, followed the formal dress theme by wearing a black tuxedo.

Each year these shows outdo the previous one and the audience appreciation shows with the growing number of attendees. This was our fourth year coming and from our experience, I knew the show would be wonderful, and relayed that to our guests, Maria and husband, Joe. Singing at the sold out performance, the groups were Charlie Thomas’ Drifters, Jay Siegel and The Tokens, Kenny Vance and the Planotones and Shirley Alston Reeves, original lead singer of the Shirelles. Put together by LAR Enterprises, Inc., the night was pure doo wop and “that old time rock and roll” that the generation of the 50’s and 60’s loved so much. It was a trip down memory lane as we listened to our favorites, by these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame inductees. The sound system was crisp and clear, the accompanying bands were excellent and the singers belted out the songs, as they did many decades ago, thrilling the audience in the same way as they have for generations.

Opening for the evening was Shirley Alston Reeves with her backup singers in glitzy blue gowns. The audience showed their approval of the choices by thunderous rounds of applause after her versions of “I met him on a Sunday”, “Baby it’s You”, “Tonight’s the Night”, written by Ms. Reeves, among other favorites. For her closing number, Ms. Reeves said “this was dedicated to everybody, every family that has someone serving in the military”. The rendition of “Soldier Boy” was heart wrenching, especially since this journalist’s son-in-law, Bob, is currently serving in Iraq. When I was a teen, this song was equally stirring, because so many soldiers were at the time serving in Viet Nam. A well-deserved standing ovation greeted Ms. Reeves and her singers at the end of their performance, and was continued after each act that evening.

Kenny Vance and the Planotones made their second appearance at the Lion’s Club concert due to the overwhelming demand for their return. Chatting about the “old days growing up in Brooklyn,” Vance talked about the early days seeing the Alan Freed show at the Brooklyn Paramount. Mr. Vance and his group wowed the audience with his long held notes and voice that remains the same as it did when he first appeared on the rock and roll scene. Songs like “Its All Right”, “Oldies but Goodies” “Devil or Angel”, “Diamonds and Pearls” and other romantic numbers had some audience members coming down to the area in front of the stage to dance. The highlight of their performance was their classic hit, “Looking for an Echo” and “Gloria” that showed what a set of “pipes” this seasoned professional still possesses.

Having a special meaning to us was the third group, Jay Siegel and The Tokens because of their chart topper, The Lion Sleeps Tonight. Number one on the charts when I met my husband, it became “our song” long before it was the title for the popular Disney movie. Hearing the Tokens in person was a thrill for us. Singing their hits and those of their peers, the audience clapped and sang along to “Portrait of My Love”, “Runaround Sue”, “I Got Sunshine”, “She Cried” and of course, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”. Mr. Siegel pointed out that the renewed interest in this song has children all over the world, as young as three years old, knowing the words. This proves that great music lives on and can be passed on through the generations. This same thought was addressed by the performers as they thanked the audience for coming out and supporting the doo wop sound to keep it alive. Thanks to the hard work of the Southampton Lion’s Club and other organizations this music will continue to endure!

The final act for the evening was Charlie Thomas’ “Drifters”. Coming on stage in flashy, flame red suits and “spiffy” shoes, the night was still electrified! “This Magic Moment”, “Rose in Spanish Harlem”, “Save the Last dance for me”, were all mellow renditions of the music that we loved as teens, and still do to this day. Hearing the Drifters doing their original hits, “Save the Last Dance for Me’, and “On Broadway” was an unbelievable experience as anyone there that night will agree. Add to this a medley that included “Up on the Roof”, “Stand by Me” and “Cupid”, you can imagine what a magical night it was at the South Hampton High school. Called out on stage at the end of their act for an encore, Charlie Thomas told the audience that each member of their group had served proudly in the military and he announced what branch. Thomas asked the audience to join him singing, “God Bless America” and the out pouring of patriotism was deeply touching and a wonderful addition to the show. Not to forget why we came, to enjoy that rock and roll, the band moved to the undeniable foot stomping, hand clapping “Shout”! Everyone joined in singing, hands waving above our heads and just “rockin” with the sounds! Oh what a night!

From the start of the evening viewing a lineup of over 25 classic cars in the front parking lot, to the fabulous golden music for the ages, it was a show not to be missed! Tickets sold out early this year and with the promise of another unbelievable show already in the planning stages for next year, don’t wait too long to buy your tickets. Listen to announcements on WLNG early next spring and look for notices in The Montauk Sun and local newspapers for the August 2008 date. You will have the chance to rekindle the feelings you had so many years ago and listen to some of the classic and dearly loved songs of all time! It was a solid gold evening all around, listening to solid gold music that will forever be dear to our hearts!

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