Atlantic City Weekly

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Greetings and salutations. With Easter right around the corner, keep in mind that the Easter Bunny will be hopping all over the place Tuesday, March 29, when we have our Bunny Hop at the Sands Casino Hotel, starting at 5. So mark down that date, in addition to our usual Thursdays at the Sands. And now, on to your questions.

Hey, Geator - There was another dance going on across town the same nights that you were rockin' at Chez Vous. I remember meeting people at 69th and Market who were going to that dance instead of your gig at Chez Vous. Do you remember anything about that scene? Keep rockin'

-- Rob P., Media, PA

Dear Rob, Before we began doing dances at the Chez Vous, kids in that neighborhood would go to a parish dance called St. Alice's. Unfortunately when the Chez Vous began drawing up to 2,000 kids a night, St. Alice's ended up closing their dance because of low attendance.

Hi Jerry, I just read that your next oldies show at the Kimmel Center will be with Connie Francis and Anthony & the Imperials. When is it and who else will be there? I have been to most of your other shows at the Kimmel Center and enjoyed them very much.

-- Marcy

Dear Marcy, This show, on April 23, is the first of the "In Concert" series we're going to present at the Kimmel Center. Both Anthony and Connie, as you know, had strings of successful recordings, therefore we are able to feature them performing not just two or three of their songs but an entire show. Of course, the perfect act that bridges the gap will be Kenny Vance & the Planotones. Other artists we are considering for our In Concert series include Paul Anka, Jay & the Americans, Brenda Lee and Al Martino, who've all had long careers and a multitude of hits, and certainly can do 60-90 minutes alone on stage.

Jerry, your albums on Lost Nite contained some tracks by the Click-ettes. Do you have any information on this forgotten group from the doo-wop era?

-- John Gallessich, Hicksville, NY

Dear John, The original Click-ettes (Barbara English, Charlotte and Trudy McCartney and Sylvia Hammond) recorded for a New Jersey label called Dice and were produced by the legendary Zell Saunders, mother of Johnny Louise Richardson, one-half of Johnny and Joe. In 1958, as the Rinky Dinks, they sang backup for Bobby Darin on "Now We're One" and "Early in the Morning." When they left Dice, Zell owned the name of the group so they became the Fashions while Zell formed a new version of the Click-ettes. They eventually disbanded to pursue solo careers but have reunited over the years to do oldies shows. Barbara English still sings lead for them and also occasionally for the Toys. Zell Saunders had tremendous success with female artists, including Baby Washington, and was the mastermind behind the Click-ettes, the Hearts, the Jaynetts, the Z-Debs, the Endeavors, the Poppies, and the Patty Cakes. In reality these groups were made up mostly of the same girls whom Zell circulated as needed.

My late father, who served in the RAF from 1939 until 1945, introduced me to the wonderful sounds of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller and Artie Shaw and took me to see and hear Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Count Basie and Buddy Rich whenever they visited London. As a devotee of big band music all my life, I found on eBay a reel to reel entitled Let's Swing by Wendell Tracy and His Orchestra. The tape arrived and wow! I immediately wanted to know more about Wendell Tracy, so I turned to my computer. Little there except for your "Ask the Geator" page (9/16/04)! I would just like to add to your response to Randy in Virginia Beach: Having just discovered this recording made by your father, I know it is going to give me a great deal of listening pleasure for hopefully many years to come. If you have been unable to obtain a copy and would like one, please let me know (copyright restrictions permitting). All the best and "Let's Keep Swinging."

-- Jeff Smith, Barnardiston, Suffolk, England

Dear Jeff, Thanks for your terrific letter, which we've forwarded in full to Randy. Many people may not have been familiar with the talents of Wendell Tracy up until the time I used his piece as background music for my "Lover's Portion" on WHAT radio and in my album For Lovers Only, Volume 1. But he was well respected, and I'm glad I was able to introduce his music to more people. It's amazing how music brings people from all over the world into contact with one another.