The incredible four act Sixties Spectacular comes to Proctors Theatre in Schenectady on Saturday, April 29, featuring Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone as headliner.
Co-headlining the concert are Jay and the Americans. The band started with four teenagers singing in Sandy Yaguda’s basement, and they are still going strong today. In 1960, they were signed by the dynamic producer/songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to United Artists and, starting in 1962, the group charted twelve top 10 records. In 1962, “She Cried” went to #5 on the charts. Jay Traynor, the first “Jay,” was the lead singer. Traynor worked in Schenectady for decades as a camera man for Channel 6. He was replaced by Jay #2, Jay Black, who was lead singer on the rest of their hits. In 1963, “Only in America” was a hit. In 1964, “Come a Little Bit Closer” went to #2 on the charts, “Let’s Lock the Door (and Throw Away the Key)” was top 20, and Jay and the Americans were part of The Beatles first American tour, and they played at Carnegie Hall on the Rolling Stones tour.
From the age of fifteen, Peter Noone gained international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits have sold more than sixty million records and include #1 singles “I’m Into Something Good,” “I’m Henry VIII, I Am,” and “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter.” Other hit singles are “Listen People,” “Silhouettes,” “Can’t You Hear my Heartbeat,” “A Must to Avoid,” “There’s a Kind of Hush” and “No Milk Today.” In all, 14 singles and 7 albums went gold, and the Hermits were twice named Cashbox’s “Entertainer of the Year.” Very photogenic, Peter graced the cover of nearly every international publication, including Time Magazine; performed on hundreds of top-rated television shows such as Ed Sullivan, Jackie Gleason, Dean Martin and Danny Kaye; starred in ABC’s musical “The Canterville Ghost” (Hallmark Hall of Fame’s presentation of the classic Pinocchio); and in three feature films for MGM.
In the 1970s, Noone composed songs and produced records for David Bowie and Debby Boone; played the leading roles in full-scale theatrical productions of “Aladdin,” “Sinbad the Sailor” and, in the 1980s, stared on Broadway as the dashing hero Frederic in the New York Shakespeare Festival’s production of “The Pirates of Penzance” and then reprised the role at the world-famous Drury Lane Theatre in London. For four years, Peter was the host of VH1’s “My Generation” and the PBS Special, “The British Invasion Returns.” He was a guest star on many prime time tv shows such as “Married with Children,” “Quantum Leap,” “Too Close for Comfort” and most recently starred in the recurring role of Paddington on the forever popular CBS Soap opera “As the World Turns.” In 2007, he sang “There’s a Kind of Hush” on American Idol and mentored the male contestants.
Dennis Tufano was the original lead singer on all The Buckinghams’ hits. Born in Chicago, Dennis inherited his musical talents from his father, a singer who also played violin, sax and harmonica. The Buckinghams had a string of hits, including the #1 smash “Kind of a Drag.” Other hits include “Don’t You Care,” “Hey Baby, They’re Playing our Song, “ “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and “Susan.” A true Renaissance man, Dennis Tufano spent his years in Los Angeles as an actor, voiceover artist, stuntman, producer and co-founder of the renowned improv voice-ensemble LA MadDogs. He also toured with Olivia Newton-John, performing duets on such songs as “Suddenly” and “You’re the One That I Want.” Part of his show is a tribute to one of his hero’s, Bobby Darin. Dennis still looks and sings great as he recreates his many hit songs.
Opening the show will be the 1910 Fruitgum Company. They defined “bubble gum pop” in the 60s. Their hits included “Simon Says” (#4 US/#2 UK charts), “1,2,3 Red Light” (#5) and “Indian Giver” (#5). All three gold records sold over a million copies, with “Simon Says” selling almost 5 million. Their other hit was “May I take a Giant Step.” Let by original lead singer, Frank Jeckell, they are a fun, exciting way to open the Sixties Spectacular.
Four great acts will bring back joyful memories at the Sixties Spectacular at Proctors Theatre. Tickets are available at the Protors Box Office, by phone at (518)346-6204 or on the web at proctors.org.
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