March 5, 2010 at 8:00 PM
Tickets: $75 VIP, $49/$39

Kenny Vance and the Planotones

As a kid in New York, Kenny Vance was captivated by the magic of rock 'n’ roll. At the age of fifteen, he was hanging around the famed Brill Building, meeting other singers and songwriters. Eventually he co-founded the successful group Jay and The Americans, who had the distinction of opening for The Beatles and The Rolling Stones for each of their first U.S. performances. He was later the musical director for Saturday Night Live and the musical supervisor for such classic films as “Animal House,” “Eddie & The Cruiser,” and the recent “Looking For An Echo.” Kenny Vance created The Planotones for the movie, “American Hot Wax,“ which is the story of Alan Freed. Learn the Planotones’ walk and enjoy such classic gems as “Cara Mia,” "Diamonds and Pearls," "This Magic Moment,” and “Looking For An Echo.”

BARBARA LEWIS

Barbara Lewis was writing and recording by her teens with record producer and DJ Ollie McLaughlin. Lewis' first single release in 1962, "My Heart Went Do Dat Da," was a local hit in the Detroit, Michigan. She wrote all of the songs on her debut LP, including the hit "Hello Stranger" which reached #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Dells can be heard backing her on several of these songs. Lewis then recorded "Straighten Up Your Heart" and "Puppy Love." These were followed by her million-seller "Baby I'm Yours" and two more Top 40 hits "Make Me Your Baby" and "Make Me Belong to You." In 1995, Lewis' "Baby I'm Yours" was featured on the soundtrack for the film, “The Bridges of Madison County.” She received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 1999.

BOBBY LEWIS

Bobby Lewis, born in Indiana, learned to play the piano at age five and so began his lifelong love of music. He moved to Detroit at age twelve. As a young adult he travelled the Midwest performing as a singer which brought him in contact with luminaries as Duke Ellington and Wes Montgomery, and he became friends with a young Jackie Wilson. His big break came when he recorded “Turnin' and Turnin’” which rose to number one on the charts in the Spring of 1961. It remained there for seven weeks. He followed this with the Top Ten hit, “One Track Mind.” Bobby Lewis continued to tour and appear on television on American Bandstand, Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars, and Alan Freed shows staged in New York City. “Tossin' And Turnin' was selected to be on the soundtrack of “Animal House.”

RON DANTE

Ron Dante was born in Staten Island, New York, not far from the famed Brill building. Since the young age of 11, when he began to play the guitar, he has become a successful singer, songwriter, producer and actor. Ron enjoyed his first taste of fame as a member of the parody group The Detergents, who had a 1964 Top 40 hit with “Leader of The Laundromat.” Between 1968 and 1970 he was the lead singer of The Archies. Their Top 40 songs included “Bang-Shang-A-Lang,” “Jingle Jangle, “Who’s Your Baby” and #1 "Sugar, Sugar," which was voted “Song of the Year'” in 1969. He toured on Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars with Herman's Hermits, Little Richard, The Animals, Little Anthony and The Imperials, and others. Ron Dante is also well known for his work as a producer for Barry Manilow, Cher, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, and others. His voice has been heard in spots for McDonalds, Coca Cola, American Airlines, Budweiser and dozens of other commercials.