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Celebrating
Asbury Park's West Side Harmony
Video Screening
Asbury Park, NJ, January 19, 2013
The Asbury Park Historical Society celebrated
Asbury Park's West Side harmony on Saturday January 19 by showing short videos
of Bobby Thomas and Lenny Welch along with a
video of the 2011 panel discussion between Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny
Lyon, Bobby Thomas and Nicky Addeo, discussing the West Side's unique vocal
harmony music scene. We (Charlie & Pam) got to give opening remarks
about Bobby and Lenny. Others giving opening remarks were Don Stine,
Asbury Park Historical Society president (who organized the evnet) and author
Daniel Wolff ("Fourth of July" and "You Send Me: The Life And Times Of Sam
Cooke"). We also brought along our book of Asbury Park vocal group
photos. The event was held at the Atonement Lutheran Church, 308 First
Avenue in Asbury Park.
Bobby Thomas, Asbury Park vocalist with the Vibranaires, V-Eights and
Orioles, passed away in 2012. The event was part of the Light of Day
celebration in Asbury Park. For more information about both
organizations see
www.APHistoricalSociety.org
and,
www.LightOfDay.org.
“When
we speak of Asbury Park’s West Side, we’re referring to the once
thriving black business and entertainment thoroughfare of Springwood
Avenue. Located just a short walk from the boardwalk and beach, the West
Side was a world away culturally. Asbury Park’s historically
segregated, pre-civil rights-era society gave rise to an area across the
tracks that produced unique and noteworthy music. Long before Bruce
Springsteen, Southside Johnny and Bon Jovi, the West Side had a jumping
musical scene, with nightclubs like Leo Karp’s Turf Club, Cuba’s the
Madonna Club, the Orchid Club, and Big Bills, forming the foundation for
Asbury Park’s later musical glory. As we honor Asbury Park’s musical
legacy, we must remember its socially diverse roots.” - Charlie Horner
[Photos and
video below by Marian Cicerale]
Our table with Asbury Park vocal group photos
Bobby Thomas'
son, Randy Thomas (center)
Asbury Park
Historical Society President, Don Stine
Pam & Charlie
Horner
Charlie
Author, Daniel
Wolff
Here's the video we watched of Bobby Thomas singing "Crying
In The Chapel" backed by Quiet Storm.
Copyright © Classic Urban Harmony LLC, 2013. All
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