Another night at Roxy & Dukes that we’ll remember for a long time! Doo Wop mega-star, Larry Chance, known for hits with the Earls like “Remember Then,” Eyes,” “Lookin’ For My Baby,” “Life Is But A Dream” and many more, gave us a rare all-acappella performance backed by acappella group, Re-MemberThen. Re-MemberThen opened with their own set and also backed Harry Maitland and De’Sean Dooley (grandson of Orioles’ Sonny Til). Roxy & Dukes, the club in Dunellen NJ that we bring acappella groups into each month was packed on Sunday night, December 11, 2016. In the audience were other celebrities like Shelly Buchansky of Vito & the Salutations, Alan David Stein (WMTR Radio) and Jim Bakay (WRDV Radio).
Re-MemberThen started the evening off with a Larry Chance composition,”Acappella With My Friends”. They then invited former group member Harry Maitland on stage to lead the group in “Thank You Johnny,” a song he’d written in tribute to the late Johnny Maestro. Newest member Sal Contrino led with a powerful rendition of “For Your Precious Love”. Frank Cicerale led on the Jive Five’s “What Time Is It” before Re-MemberThen serenaded dj Alan David Stein with one of his own radio jingles.
Next the group called De’Sean Dooley to the stage. De’Sean is the star of “Soul Harmony,” the musical about Sonny Til, Deborah Chessler and the Orioles that ran in Portland, OR, last year. We’re hoping the musical will start up again in 2017 and come East. De’Sean is also the grandson of Orioles’ lead, Sonny Til. Many in the audience were at our Doo Wop Explosion at Monmouth University last February when we ran a giant screen video of De’Sean singing Orioles’ songs acappella backed by Quiet Storm. Since that time, people have been clamoring to hear De’Sean sing live. Those at Roxy & Dukes got their wish when De’Sean gave a jaw-dropping acappella rendition of “Crying In The Chapel’ backed by Quiet Storm. De’Sean will be off leading another cruise ship production in January so this is his last acappella performance here for the next eight months.
Re-MemberThen then sang their acappella arrangement of the Del Larks’ “I Never Will Forget,” in tribute to the late Ron Taylor of the Del Larks. They sang the song to Ron’s lady, Judy, who was a guest in the audience. Re-MemberThen finished their set in strong form with “Two Kinds Of People,” “Traveling Stranger,” and an emotional “Girl On A Swing”. Called back for an encore, they gave us the Cadillacs’ “You Are”.
After a short intermission and drawing of the door prizes, we welcomed to the stage Larry Chance and Re-MemberThen. Larry was in great form, as usual, singing a number of Earl’s songs, most of which he’d written. This was only the second time he’d performed an all acappella set since the Earls sang on the street corner back in the 1950’s. Both times he was backed by Re-MemberThen. Classic Urban Harmony is proud to have been responsible both times. Larry and Re-MemberThen sang “Life Is But A Dream,” “Looking For My Baby, “Cross My Heart,” Never,” “Gloria,” “Streets Of The Bronx,” “Cry Cry Cry,” Re-MemberThen” and “Lost Love”. They concluded the set as the Earl’s always do, with “I Believe,” dedicated to Vietnam Vets. As always, Larry Chance entertained the audience with stories about the different songs and a touch of comedy. It was an unbelievable evening. Our sincere thanks to Larry Chance, Frank Cicerale, Marty Geliebter, Bill Butkowski, Mike DelFranco, Sal Contrino, Harry Maitland and De’Sean Dooley and of course the management and staff of Roxy & Dukes.
Next up is A Perfect Blend and Mid Life Crisis on Sunday January 22, 2017.
Here are some photos of the event, Click on any picture to enlarge it and then use the side arrows to view other photos. Scroll down to the bottom to watch videos.
