On November
12, 2011, a spectacular show took place. It was billed as a once in a
lifetime concert featuring Asbury Park’s West Side musicians It was held in
the stately Victorian Paramount Theatre in the heart of Asbury Park.
Paramount
Theatre
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Asbury
Park’s West Side has had an active R&B music scene since the early 1950’s.
Of special importance to vocal group harmony fans, are groups like the
Vibranaires, Vibes, Mar-Keys, V-Eights, Broadways, Darchaes, Uniques and
many others. The Soul of Asbury Park concert’s goal was to reunite many
members of the West Side singing community, a vibrant collection of talented
vocalists who set the stage for Asbury Park’s later fame with Bruce
Springsteen, Southside Johnny and others.
The MC for
the night was the eloquent and knowledgeable Nicky Addeo, himself a long
time resident of the Asbury Park vocal harmony scene. Nicky opened the
night with a powerful rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner”.
Nicky Addeo
Bobby Thomas grew up in Asbury Parks and formed the Vibranaires after
hearing Sonny Til and the Orioles sing in 1948. After recording with the
Vibranaires, Vibes and V-Eights, Bobby joined Sonny Til’s Orioles in the
1960’s. In fact, for a number of years the three singing Orioles behind
Sonny Til were all Asbury Park residents. On this night, Bobby Thomas was
backed by the acappella group, Quiet Storm, as he performed a tribute to
both the Orioles and his original group, the Vibranaires. Bobby and the
group were impressive. A band was backing them but Bobby and Quiet Storm
were strong enough to carry on harmonizing alone. They sang The Orioles’
“It’s Too Soon To Know”, The Vibranaires’ song from 1954 “Doll Face”, and
The Orioles’ “Crying in the Chapel”. They closed with the Orioles’
arrangement of the Ivory Joe Hunter composition “I Need You So”. What a
fantastic start to the evening.
Nicky Addeo
introducing Bobby Thomas and group (Quiet Storm)
Left to
right: Bobby Thomas, James Phillips, Darrall Campbell,
Williams Nicks, Ron Silva and Kamau Osceola Akiba
Bobby Thomas
and James Phillips
Johnny
Petillo, an Asbury Park native who later sang with Danny & The Juniors and
The Duprees, said he was schooled in “doo wop boot camp” at the Siciliano
home on Asbury Avenue. Brothers Sam and Patsy Siciliano are legendary
Asbury Park entertainers, known for their work with Ray & the Darchaes and
other groups. Johnny sang a dramatic version of “Blue Moon” in which he
sang both the lead and bass parts.
Johnny
Petillo
Speaking of
the Siciliano brothers, Patsy Siciliano then serenaded us both vocally and
on saxophone with Billy Ryan on guitar. They gave us a marvelous blues
rendition of “Stormy Monday Blues”.
Patsy
Siciliano
Up next
were the legendary Broadways who had not sung together for forty years. The
Broadways were an extremely popular and influential group in Asbury Park.
[It’s said that Bruce Springsteen used to open for the Broadways back when
he was a member of the Castiles.] The Broadways made two outstanding soul
singles for MGM in 1966 but eventually became inactive as Billy Brown
left to join the Moments and later form Ray Goodman & Brown.
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
(From the
Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
What an
incredible treat to hear original Broadways’ Billy Brown, Ron Coleman and
Robert Conte, joined by Dennis Anderson (the group’s bass player from back
in the day, who now sings with the Coasters). Missing was only Leon Trent,
who could not make the reunion due to a prior commitment and Ray Morris and
Joe Major (formerly of the Mar-Keys and Bobby Thomas’ Vibes) who have since
passed. The Broadways sang their 1966 Northern Soul recording “You Just
Don’t Know,” The Temptations’ “Just My Imagination” and a gospel song, “Why
Not Me Lord”.
The Broadways
The Broadways
(left to right) Billy Brown, Ron Coleman, Dennis Anderson, Robert Conti
The Broadways
The Broadways
[As a
footnote to Asbury Park music history, Broadways’ Ron Coleman told us how he
and Leon Trent co-wrote “Fool Number Two” by the Uniques on Norm Seldin’s
Selsom label. The Uniques included Ron Coleman, Leon Trent, Ray Morris,
Sam Siciliano and Nicky Addeo – small world!]
This
legendary Asbury Park group sounds as good as ever. It was a very
impressive set by the Broadways.
To hear the
1966 Broadways record, "You Just Don't Know," click the YouTube below.
Nicky Addeo
introduced his son, Nicky Addeo Jr., who sounded a lot like his father in a
strong rendition of The Platters “My Prayer”.
Nicky Addeo Jr.
The crowd
was anxiously awaiting the next artist and they were not disappointed!
Lenny Welch grew up in Asbury Park but had not made a singing appearance
here since before leaving for NYC in 1957 and becoming famous. He spoke
about his roots, learning to sing with the West Side vocal group, Joe Major
and the Mar-Keys at Asbury Park High School in the early 1950’s.
1957 photo of
the Asbury Park group, the Vibes. Left to right:
Bobby Thomas, Lenny Welch, Joe Major, William Penha
(Photo courtesy of Bobby Thomas)
Lenny Welch
photo, ca. 1959
(From the Classic Urban Harmony Archives)
Lenny sang
his first hit from 1959, “You Don’t Know Me”. He explained that after a
stint in the service, he hit the charts again with “Ebb Tide” which he sang
next. After entertaining us with dancing, stories of his career and songs,
Lenny closed with his biggest success, “Since I Fell for You”.
Lenny Welch
Lenny Welch
Bobby Thomas
& Pam Horner at intermission
After a
short intermission, Nicky Addeo opened the second half leading an impromptu
acappella set along with a group he put together that afternoon. The backup
group included Danny Ugarte, (who, as a member of the Plazas, once backed
Nicky on record), Bobby “Blue” Castellano (of the Delmonicos), and Elliott
Banks. Nicky led the group on “My Hero” and “Gloria”. It was a spectacular
set by Nicky and his latest Nite Owls group.
Nicky Addeo &
the Nite Owls
Danny Ugarte
(Plazas) and Nicky Addeo
Nicky Addeo &
Nite Owls, Left to right:
Bobby "Blue" Castellano, Elliott Banks, Danny Ugarte, Nicky Addeo
A group new
to us on the music scene was New Era, though we’ll bet each of the members
has considerable singing experience. They sang three songs including the
Temptations’ arrangement of “Some Enchanted Evening” and “I Love Music.” We
hope to hear more from this impressive group.
New Era
New Era
One of the
best known singers in the concert was Billy Brown. The first time we’d seen
Billy Brown was earlier in the evening with the Broadways. Of course, we
knew Billy had left the Broadways to join the Moments who after a successful
career, morphed into the even more successful Ray, Goodman, & Brown. Harry
Ray and Al Goodman have now left us, but Billy Brown has assembled two new
singers to keep the Ray, Goodman, & Brown group going. Their singing and
choreography is spectacular. Billy Brown led the group on the Moments “Love
on a Two Way Street” and sounds great as always. He had great response from
the audience. Ray Goodman & Brown followed with hits “Look at Me I’m in
Love” and “Special Lady”. They had the whole audience on their feet.
Ray Goodman &
Brown; Billy Brown in center.
Ray Goodman &
Brown
Ray Goodman &
Brown. Billy Brown on right.
For and
encore, all the performers reunited on stage for a great version of “Stand
By Me,” with different singers taking the lead.
Encore
Billy Brown
leading "Stand By Me"
What a
thrilling concert bringing back together so many Asbury Park stars. We’re
looking forward to more shows like this.
![[New!]](images/smallnew.gif){kind=small}
