An incredible seven act Golden Oldies Spectacular hits the Proctors’ stage on Sunday, November 12 with performances from The Happenings, Jay Siegel’s Tokens, The Bronx Wanderers, Barbara Harris and The Toys, and Kid Kyle.
The Happenings, featuring incredible original lead singer Bob Miranda, continues to impress audiences with their showmanship and vocal capabilities. Their 1966 and 1967 chart-topping hits, including “See You in September” (still ranked in the top 100 “summer songs” in pop history) and “I Got Rhythm” were both gold records, as was “Go Away Little Girl” and “My Mammy.” The Happenings appeared on TV many times, including Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, the Smother Brothers, and Merv Griffin shows. Audiences are sure to be dancing on their feet, especially during his version of “Proud to be an American,” a tribute to veterans.
Jay Siegel’s Tokens started their career as the Linc-Tones in 1955 in Brooklyn at Abraham Lincoln High School. Jay Siegel was the lead singer, with Neil Sedaka in the band. They evolved into the Tokens in 1960 and had a top 15 hit and million seller in 1961: “Tonight I Fell in Love.” Their international #1 hit, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” followed shortly after. Unique in the history of pop music, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” re-entered the charts 33 years later and went to #1 worldwide again, stoked by its use in “The Lion King” Disney movie. The Tokens’ last hit was “Portrait of My Love.”
The multi-talented Jay Siegel and the Tokens also produced many hits for The Chiffons, The Happenings, and Tony Orlando and Dawn. In 1962, they were the first vocal group to produce a #1 hit for another vocal group (“He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons). They also sang on many commercials for Pan America, Ban, Clairol, Cool Whip, and Chesterfield cigarettes. As popular producers, they hired Bob Miranda in 1963 to write songs for the artists they were producing such as The Chiffons and Gerry and the Pacemakers. In 1965, the Tokens and Jubilee Records formed B.T. Puppy Records, which signed and produced The Happenings.
The Bronx Wanderers were founded in 2006 by Vinny Adinofi. “Yo Vinny” was already a successful producer, record label executive, and publisher for Lifesong and Columbia Records, when his friends in show business– including Dion and actors Chass Palminteri and Danny Aiello– prodded Vinny to put together a rock and roll band featuring his musically-gifted 10 and 14 year old sons, as well as a few of their high school friends. More than a decade later, the Bronx Wanderers became a sensational act, performing in Casinos and theatres nationwide, and they continue to live the dream while happily residing in a Las Vegas casino since 2016. Their first year there, they received the Bronze Award for best new casino band in Vegas, only beaten out by Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys.
In 2017, The Bronx Wanderers have received seven nominations and have since won twelve “Best of Las Vegas” awards and been inducted into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. Their repertoire of songs appeals to multiple generations, including hits by Dion and the Belmonts, Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Billy Joel, and Queen. Their on-stage chemistry and energy actively engages all audiences, and the audience feels like part of the family by the end of the show. The Bronx Wanderers performed once at Proctors, bringing the house down with their amazing version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Proctors oldies fans kept requesting their return, but their Vegas residency limited their touring– until now.
Barbara Harris and The Toys will sing their hits, as well as hits from the girl groups of the 60s. Barbara grew up in North Carolina and was a featured vocalist in many churches by the age of 8. At 11, she moved to New York City and continuously won first prize at area dances. She and four of her high school classmates formed a vocal group, singing on street corners in Queens. Barbara Harris, Barbara Parritt, and June Montiero continued singing backup vocals on many recordings in New York studios when their manager, Vince Marc, introduced them to songwriter/record executive Bob Crewe, and they signed with his DynoVoice label. Marc also introduced them to songwriters Sandy Linzer and Denny Randell who wrote most of the songs that Barbara Harris and The Toys recorded.
Their signature hit, “Lover’s Concerto,” reached #2 on the charts and sold 2 million copies. It was followed by top 20 hit “Attack.” The trio also appeared on Dick Clark’s “American Bandstand,” “Shindig,” and “Hullabaloo,” as well as the movie, “It’s a Bikini World.” Barbara Harris continues to write and record her own songs and perfectly fits into this year’s Proctors lineup.
New Jersey’s Kid Kyle first gained prominence at age 8 with his performance in Los Angeles on American Idol Junior. He performed at Proctors before he was a teenager and brought the house down. Kyle has performed on “Today in New York,” “Good Day, New York,” and “The Tony Danza Show.” He was also featured in PBS’ 2008 “My Music, Doo Wop Love Songs” and again in 2018 in PBS’ “Doo Wop Generations.” In 2019, Kid Kyle was voted best male singer and inducted into the East Coast Music Hall of Fame. At age 28, he embodies the next generation of singers that will keep the great music of the 50s and 60s alive and flourishing.
Vito Picone & The Elegants will perform at Proctors for the second time. They were formed in 1956 in Staten Island, and they had a monster hit, “Little Star,” in 1958. Co-written by Vito Picone, “Little Star” sold almost three million copies worldwide, and spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts. They have received the “Million-Aires” award for the song airing over 1 million times on the radio. Vito and The Elegants have performed at Carnegie Hall, and have performed eight times at Radio City Music Hall. They were also the first doo wop group to perform at Lincoln Center.
“Little Star” has been used in countless productions, including the show “The Sopranos.” Vito even made a cameo appearance in the Oscar-winning motion picture “Goodfellas.”
Opening the show is Vinnie Medugno. Although still a young man, Medugno wears many hats: WABC weekend radio host, dj at entertainment events, dance music performer and songwriter (one was a hit on the Billboard UNderground Dance Music charts), and teacher at Port Richmond HIgh School. Vinnie performed on T.J. Lubinsly’s PBS show “Doo Whop, Pop and Soul Generations,” and, like Kid Kyle, he embodies today’s younger generation of entertainers determined to keep our music alive.
Tickets are on sale now at the Proctors box office – 432 State Street in Schenectady – by phone at (518) 346-6204, or on their website.
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