The ‘New’ Stylistics?

NEWS & VIEWS > ASK THE GEATOR

By Jerry Blavat 

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Aug. 24, 2011

Greetings and salutations — and lo and behold, my main man Frankie Valli is back at the Borgata. It’s always sold out, and you know that Frankie at Memories on a Saturday night is always the musical sound that we’ll put down.  

And the nights just get better and better. Last Saturday the stars came out in droves. My old friend Herb Spivak, his lovely wife Marcy and kids began the night, along with Brian from the Buck Hotel and his entire family. Then my old pal Herb Lipson from Philadelphia Magazine was there with his family. And it kept getting better — Dr. Paul Gross and his lovely Anita, Jonathan Saidel on the dance floor with Judge Maria Sisofo, whose mom is one of my favorite people, Charlotte McLaughlin, and, for the entire weekend, Irene and Fred Shabel, along with Mary Campbell and beau Rich. Then in came Lisa Gaudio, Bob’s daughter, with hubby Jim Kazanjian. Plus Magdalena, the kids from Longport, Marissa the birthday girl, the gang from Talutto’s, and Butch and the lovely Vanessa dancing to “Summer Wind.” And on and on — Tucker, Victor the barber, his nephew Luca, Charlotte and Ray, the gang from Cascia’s, and even Frank Gitto made two in a row. So the bottom line: If you haven’t experienced the magic of Memories in Margate, there are just a couple of weeks left to do so. And remember, Sunday nights are, in the biz, International Nights, with no cover from 4-8 pm.  

Before we begin, an update. The new Lone Ranger flick starring Johnny Depp as Tonto has gone the way of the wind — apparently the special effects budget was getting out of control. Let’s hope it gets revived at some point, because the focus was to be on Tonto and the Native American spirituality. We’ll keep you posted. Now, let’s ask the Geator 

 Wow. The more I listen to your interviews about your book, the more I wish I could sit down with you for dinner. I see you’re having a book signing in my area. Would you sign your book there, even though I bought it someplace else?   — Pasquale Vallese, Bensalem, Pa. 

 At many of my book signings, you can bring your own copy for signing. However, some stores that host signings require that you buy the book there, so check with the venue first. Upcoming book events are on the calendar at geator.net and on the Facebook page for You Only Rock Once.  

At a recent concert, they kept emphasizing the word “new” in Russell Tompkins and the New Stylistics. Please tell us about them and give us an update on the original Stylistics. — Tinker Lonergan, Atlantic City 

 Russell Thompkis Jr., who as you know was the original lead singer of the Stylistics, left the group in 2000 and was replaced by Eban Brown, whose voice is very similar. Russell recorded a solo album and put together a new group, Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, with a focus on recreating the sound of the original recordings. Original members Herb Murrell and Airrion Love are still with the Stylistics, along with Eban Brown and new member Jason Sharpe. The group records new material in addition to performing the classic Stylistics hits. 

 Hey Geator, what’s this about a cruise with Kenny Vance & the Planotones? Any info please!   — Judi Hickoff Horetsky, Middletown, Pa.  

 It’s true — it happens Oct. 27-31 and it’s the Malt Shop Memories Cruise, which I’ll be hosting, and the lineup of artists is amazing. Along with Kenny, it’s the Beach Boys, Little Anthony, Lou Christie, Jay Black, the Skyliners, Shirley Reeves, and more. For details, check their Web site at maltshopcruise.com.   

Got a question for Jerry? Send it to AskTheGeator@acweekly.com or Geator Gold Radio, 626 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. For more info on Jerry’s appearances, go to www.geator.net — and keep on rocking, ’cause you only rock once!