Coley Wallace
Once again, greetings and salutations to all who had a ball with the Geator at the Kimmel. Fabulous show, so nice that we’re going to do it twice. Mark the date: Saturday, April 7, and this will be a doo wop reunion, bringing back some of the classic stars who’ve been with me over the last 10 years — folks like Little Anthony, the Duprees, the Harptones, the Skyliners, the Classics, the Dubs, and more of your favorites. Stay tuned and we’ll announce the complete lineup shortly.
And don’t forget, the Geator and the South Jersey/Philly crowd heading down south to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 1-3. That’s got to be a blast, along with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons’ appearance there, so make your reservations now. And yes, we will be doing book signings there.
Before we begin, one of our readers was able to answer the question posed by Joe Breitner in our Dec. 8 column. The name of the song is “Farewell, High School, Farewell,” by the Gus Levene Singers, recorded in 1960. Gus Levene, by the way, was a conductor and arranger who was responsible for Bing Crosby’s original recording of “White Christmas.” Thanks to Rich Dardine of Penns Grove for the answer. Now, let’s ask the Geator.
With the Oscars coming up, what are some of your favorite pictures that never won an Academy Award? — Donna Rand Pellicano, Hammonton, N.J.
There are a lot of them, but I’ll give you one: Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis in The Sweet Smell of Success. It was done in black and white and shot entirely in New York City. I knew every one of the locations because I had lived in New York City, and if you read my book, You Only Rock Once, you’ll relive those days with me. When I saw that picture, with the intensity of the city, it brought me back to those times. It didn’t get any Oscar nominations, but Tony Curtis was nominated for a best acting BAFTA (the British Oscar).
On one of your shows on XPN I heard you say that Lenny Welch’s father was in a movie, and at the Kimmel Center you said he was a boxer. What was his name and what movie was he in? Thank you — Reno, Morristown, N.J.
ONCE AGAIN, greetings and salutations. Hard to believe — tomorrow is April 1 and the opening of baseball season. The Geator’s prediction? The Phillies are going all the way. Also going all the way are the tickets for our Kimmel Center show May 8, Mother’s Day. I guess because everybody wants to give the gift of love to their moms, they’re giving that along with the gift of music. Hope to see you there. Now let’s ask the Geator. I read here in the Weekly that Kenny Vance and Jay Black are on the bill at your next show at the Kimmel Center. Will you have them perform together like they did when they were with Jay & the Americans? — Gil D. Absolutely....
Once again, greetings and salutations, and a very happy St. Paddy’s Day to all. Hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is only 10 weeks away, and with it, the opening of our 40th year at Memories in Margate and partying down at the Jersey shore. Meanwhile, back in Philly we’re getting things together for our special Mother’s Day show at the Kimmel Center on May 8, “A Gift of Music,” with special guest stars Frankie Avalon, Jay Black, the Tymes, the Orlons, the Soul Survivors, and Kenny Vance & the Planotones. More about that next week — but now, it’s time to ask the Geator. We saw you in the PBS documentary on rock DJs, Airplay: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio. Do you think that with the variety of programming available on satellite radio, those great days of creativity on the air will...
The technological gadgets of today simply weren’t around when Vance was a young Jewish kid from Brooklyn, a music lover who would become a founding member of Jay & The Americans in the early 1960s. It was an era in music when things like pop charts, 45s and live radio DJs were still relevant and made a huge impact on mainstream culture.
Greetings and salutations. What can I tell you about our 21st show at the Kimmel Center? Again, a complete sellout. But more important, everyone raved about the combination of Darlene Love on stage with Freda Payne. The salute to the Platters was unbelievable, with a 22-piece orchestra backing them up on all of their classic hits, and of course the Duprees, Kenny Vance & the Planotones, and the Soul Survivors — all proven stars time and time again. And you won’t want to miss the next one. It’s a special “Gift of Music on Mother’s Day.” Stay tuned for the lineup. But get your tickets in advance, because this will surely be another sellout. Call 215-893-1999 or go online at kimmelcenter.org. Now let’s ask the Geator. First, a trivia question for Oscar season: Who was the first host of Academy Awards? Answer below. I used to come to Wagner’s and Chez Vous. Whatever happened to the Nixon brothers? Thanks for the memories — Nancy When we began doing hops in the early ’60s, Bobby and Eddie Nixon were among the earliest kids who followed the Geator everywhere — not only to the Chez Vous, Wagner’s and Atlantic City, but also when...
(Originally published Sept. 2008) LAST MONTH DURING ITS SET at the Somers Point beach concert series, Jersey Shore rock trio the Billy Walton Band broke into "On the Dark Side," the 1984 John Cafferty hit fr...
Once again, greetings and salutations. Hard to believe, just a couple of weeks till Labor Day. And, of course, our pal Kenny Vance, along with the Planotones, who opened up our season, will close our...
Once again, greetings and salutations. Happy Easter to one and all -- and to kick off our holiday and our fling into spring, it's our Memories Disco Dance Reunion this Friday night at the Hilton, featuring G.C. Cameron, original lead of the Spinners, with a salute to the Spinners, and our "Band of Gold" favorite, Freda Payne. You can obtain tickets by calling the Hilton at 347-7111 or Ticketmaster at 1-800-736-1420, or the night of the performance at the Hilton box office. See you there -- now, let's ask the Geator. The great Four Tops song "I Got a Feeling" was a big hit in Philly and a favorite of your fans, but not a big hit on the charts for the Tops. Why are some songs so popular in Philadelphia and not nationwide? -- Your No. 1 fan, Dave Farber Simple answer: airplay. From the very beginning, when you listened to the Geator, I have had no restrictions or playlists. If I hear something that attracts my ear, I share it with my audience. There were so many great songs that the Tops recorded, not only A-sides but B-sides, that never got airplay because of...
To All a 'Goodnight' Greetings and salutations. And just a week away, on Oct. 26, the Monster Mash Ball starring Kenny Vance & the Planotones, 9pm at the Hilton. You'll dance the night away with all...
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1. Bill from Boynton Bch, FL said... on Feb 9, 2012 at 02:47PM
“In your article you state that you'll be at the Seminole March 1 - 3. Went online and found nothing about the 1st. That's the best date I can attend. Where will you be and what time? Of course, I'll bring my book for signing.
Bill
Boynton Bch, FL”
2. Keely said... on Feb 17, 2012 at 01:48AM
“Jerry will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, March 1, 2, and 3. His dance party will start at 5 pm and to the best of our knowledge will be in the plaza area outside where the shops are. Please check geator.net for any changes to the location. The dates will not change.”