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 format radio. I'm sure you will agree that if it was a hit in Philadelphia, if it got national airplay, it would have been a hit around the country.
Grew up in Philly and remember a group called Billy and the Essentials with lead singer Billy Carlucci. Seem to remember him joining a retro group after the original group broke up. Is he still around?
-- Bill, Boynton Beach, Fla.
Yes, Billy is still around and basically does solo performances backed with musicians who are able to take the harmony parts just like the original Essentials. I'm sure you remember his classic versions of "Maybe You'll Be There" and "The Dance Is Over," which originally was the B-side of the Shirelles' "Tonight's the Night."
We were at the Kimmel show in January. Great as ever. We are coming to the show in April and would like to know who is performing other than Little Anthony, Brooklyn Bridge, and Kenny Vance? Can't wait. -- Jimmy K.
This show is a little different from the others because it will be one of an in-concert series. The other shows that we have done normally would have anywhere from six to 10 artists who only performed their hits. With Anthony and Johnny Maestro, they had so many hits that we will give them an opportunity to perform them all. Kenny Vance, as you know, with his interpretations of the oldies, does it better than most and is a perfect blend with this type of show. And the extra attraction, the one man whose group, the Moonglows, opened up the door for all the groups that followed -- the legendary Harvey Fuqua, is putting together again the sound of the Moonglows. Thus, on April 13, our "Harmony Reunion" at the Kimmel Center.
Jerry Blavat
Got a question for Jerry? Send it to AskTheGeator@atlanticcityweekly.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!
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...
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