Doo Wop Explosion II – Another Nite of Acappella Harmony, will take place at Monmouth University’s magnificent Pollak Theatre in West Long Branch, NJ, on Saturday night, March 4, 2017. Tickets are now on sale. Purchase now for best seat selection.
Our celebration of doo wop acappella harmony at the Pollak Theatre is back by popular demand. Born on the street corners of urban America, rhythm & blues and doo wop singing reached its peak in the 1950’s, but still has a strong following today. While doo wop singing began as an African American art form, by the late 1950’s it was enjoyed by singers of all races. Doo wop harmony in its purist form is acappella (without instruments or musical tracks). Acappella harks back to their early days of singing on the street corners
We’ve again assembled some of the top acappella doo wop vocal groups from NYC to Washington DC. Headlining the concert will be R&B and Doo Wop favorites, Pookie Hudson’s Spaniels The Spaniels are known for the 1956 million seller, “Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight,” a song that defined the whole doo wop era. While all of the original Spaniels are now deceased, the current group backed lead singer Pookie Hudson before his passing in 2006 and continues the Spaniels’ tradition of superb doo wop harmony. The Spaniels almost always sing with a band or to tracks, but we heard them sing “Lovely Way To Spend An Evening” acappella in Queens last year and hired them on the spot!
Originating on the streets of Brooklyn, Vito & the Salutations scored regional hits in the early 1960’s with their recordings of “Gloria,” “Unchained Melody” and “Your Way”. Rick Anthony has been handling the lead for the past 15 years, as the original Vito is no longer with them. The group also contains long time member, Shelly Buchansky, who sang on “Unchained Melody” and most of their other hits. The group sounds great and will be singing all acappella, something they almost never do.
NEWLY ADDED: The Cameos are one of New Jersey’s most popular doo wop / oldies groups. They usually perform as an eight person vocal and instrumental band. On the Doo Wop Explosion II, the four vocalists (including Danny Ugarte, formerly of the Cordials, Plazas and Nite Owls), will sing a set all acappella!
Returning from our last Doo Wop Explosion, by popular demand, are two of the groups that excel every time they perform. The Philadelphia acappella group Quiet Storm remains one of the areas’ top vocal groups. Re-MemberThen did a fabulous job last time, on their own set and backing Larry Chance. Both groups will be singing all new material.
New to the concert this year are A Perfect Blend, an acappella group from Philly with a singing history going back many years and the Copians, who are made up of former members of other standout Philly acappella groups.
As always, this line up is subject to change as circumstances dictate. What we do promise you is the best doo wop acappella concert of the year, bar none! And, we’re working on a possible added special surprise guest group.
For those holding Golden Seat Tickets the “Meet & Greet” Reception and photo op with the singers will be held at 5:30 PM, prior to the concert. At this point there is only one golden seat ticket left for sale.
Tickets: $25; $40; $55 (Gold Seats)
Tickets are now on sale. Remember, last year we drew an audience of 600 people and almost sold out the Pollak Theatre so order tickets early for the best seats.
