Deborah Chessler, creative force behind the Orioles, ca. 1950.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives, courtesy of Deborah Chessler)
What an honor for Shirley “Deborah Chessler” Reingold to be
paid tribute to by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with a live interview by Dr.
Charles Horner. Deborah was the manager and songwriter for the legendary
pioneer vocal group, the Orioles. Charlie is an authority on Rhythm & Blues
music and in particular the Orioles. He had previously interviewed Deborah.
(Pam, Charlie & Deborah Chessler)
Charlie in front
of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (Cleveland)
The Rock Hall
flew us into Cleveland to interview the 85-year-old songwriter/manager who
looked years younger than her chronological age. We all met in the “green”
room which had a feast laid out for us. The participants in the “green room”
were Charlie and myself along with Deborah and her husband, Paul Reingold.
Mark Del Costello, Val Shively and the staff of the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame
were there also. Terry Stewart, President and CEO of The Rock Hall was there
to greet us.
Pam in the Green
Room
Pam, Charlie,
Deborah and Paul
Deborah & Pam
Paul, Deborah
and Val Shively
Val, Mark, Pam,
Charlie, Deborah and Paul
On the way up
to the Theatre where the interview would take place with a live audience,
Shirley looked up and noticed a promo for the event. We all stopped to
take photos.
Fourth Floor Theater at the Rock Hall
Pam in the Theater
The audience
consisted of about 50 people who listened attentively as Charlie asked
questions and Shirley responded with wonderful recall. There was a screen
where photos from The Orioles and Shirley’s past were projected. When a song
was mentioned, Charlie requested it be played and it was! After the
interview, questions were taken from the audience.
The Vibarnaires, forerunners of the Orioles, 1948
Top Row, left to right: Sonny Til, George Nelson,
Alex Sharp, Richard Williams; Bottom: Tommy Gaither
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Charlie &
Deborah beneath projection of the telegram from
Arthur Godfrey asking the Vibranaires to return to NYC.
The Song that in 1948 started in all.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
The Orioles, ca. 1949.
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives, courtesy of Deborah Chessler)
When the
program was over, Shirley signed autographs and photos were taken. We were
happy to see that we knew people in the audience who came out on a Monday
night to meet with Shirley.
Left to right: Lauren Onkey (VP of Education & Public Affairs,
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame),
Charlie Horner, Terry Stewart (President & CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame),
Shirley "Deborah" Chessler Reingold, Val Shively, Mark Del Costello)
Terry Stewart (President & CEO of the Rock Hall)
and Deborah Chessler
Deborah Chessler & Val Shively
Deborah signing autographs
Following the
event, we were taken out to dinner courtesy of the Rock Hall and enjoyed spending more time with Shirley & Paul Reingold, The
Hall of Fame’s Lauren Onkey, Mark Del Costello, and Val Shively (who
drove in from the Philly area to at last meet Shirley in person).
We had a
wonderful two days in Cleveland and finally got to tour The Rock And Roll Hall
of Fame. Our thanks go to Mark Del Costello for his ideas on this project and
to Terry Stewart for facilitating this interview.
UPDATE: Deborah Chessler
passed away on October 10, 2012.
Except where
noted, all photographs taken by and the property of Pamela Horner.
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2009-2012. All
Rights Reserved.
