Fredonia Opera House
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
“The noblest art is that of making others happy”. P.T. Barnum
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Monday, April 11, 2022
Julian Lennon Performing Imagine
Julian Lennon is covering one of his late father, John Lennon's most iconic song for the first time, ever. He sang it during a Stand Up for Ukraine Campaign benefit for refugees on Saturday, April 9.
After a long-standing vow to never perform the tune, the 59-year-old singer-songwriter delivered a haunting performance of Imagine.
In a dark room full of candles, Julian Lennon did his version with only vocals and an acoustic guitar played by Nuno Bettencourt who would join to sing the final chorus in the arrangement.
In his Own Words, the Liverpool native wrote on YouTube.....
"Today for the first time ever, I publicly performed my Dad's song, Imagine. The song reflects the light at the end of the tunnel, that we are all hoping for. I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing Imagine would be if it was the end of the world. The War on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy. As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could."
With a powerful and emotional vocal delivery, the former Beatles' lyrics encourage listeners to imagine a world of peace, without materialism, without borders separating nations, 'and no religion too'.
Peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song would go on to be John Lennon's best-selling single of his solo career. In the years that followed, BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) named Imagine one of the 100 most performed songs of the 20th century. It would also be ranked #30 on the RIAA's (Recording Industry Association of America) list of the 365 Songs of the Century, earn a Grammy Hall of Fame award, and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll.
Julian truly has his father's voice which brought tears to my eyes when he began singing the powerful lyrics to Imagine.
Imagine all the people livin' life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Pat Locke, Maestro Muse
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Robert Louis Ridarelli, known by the stage name Bobby Rydell, was an American singer and actor who mainly performed rock and roll plus traditional pop music. In the early 1960s he was considered a teen idol.
Born to Jennie Sapienza and Adrio "Al" Ridarelli on April 26, 1942 in Philadelphia PA Rydell passed on April 5, 2022 in Abington Township PA from complications due to pneumonia.
He grew up in the same Italian neighborhood of South Philadelpia as Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte. At the age of four or five, Bobby used to sit in front of the TV set trying to impersonate performers like Louis Prima and Johnny Ray. His father recognized Bobby's talent and encouraged him to pursue a show business career. Rydell began playing drums at age five because he admired Gene Krupa. By age seven, he had begun to work nightclubs in Philly. While other kids were listening to the latest hits Rydell's father was taking him to listen to the last big bands working the various local clubs.
At age nine, he was a regular on Paul Whiteman's TV Teen Club television show that was broadcast from Philadelphia and performed on it for three years. It was during this time it was said that Whiteman shortened Bobby's last name to Rydell because he had trouble pronouncing Ridarelli. The truth was Bobby's father came up with the name. By the time he was a teen, he was playing drums in a dance band called Rocco and the Saints. It featured Frankie Avalon on the trumpet. Rocco and the Saints began playing annual summer bookings in the seaside resorts around Atlantic City. Rydell also played the guitar and was a natural comedian.
Rydell appeared as Hugo Peabody in the Oscar-nominated 1963 musical comedy, Bye Bye Birdie. He acted alongside Ann-Margret, Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh. Though the story dealt with a rock and roll singer, Rydell was cast with Ann-Margret who played Kim MacAfee, as a pair of high school sweethearts. Ann-Margret was 22 years of age when she made the movie. The film is credited with making Ann-Margret a superstar during the mid 1960s, leading to her appearing with Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas in 1964.
As a sidenote, it's no wonder that Ann-Margret and Elvis fell for each other during the filming of Viva Las Vegas; after all, Ann-Margret herself was often viewed as a female version of the King of Rock and Roll. Both were sex symbols and musical talents with undeniable star power and magnetic charisma.
Covid-19 effectively stalled Rydell's Hollywood Walk of Fame Star that was slated for 2020. At least Rydell was one of the first 10 to be inducted into Philadelphia's Walk of Fame on Broad street and Rydell High from the movie, Grease was named in honor of the singer.
Bobby with Dick
on
American Bandstand
At seventeen, Bobby Rydell was the face of American Bandstand, the kid from Italian South Philly with the smoothest vice, the highest pompadour and the sweetest smile with hits like Wild One, Wildwood Days, Sway, We Got Love, Swingin' School, Volare, Kissin' Time and Forget Him to name a few. His mother suggested he record Volare. He was far more than just a teen idol. Bobby's voice and boy-next-door charm earned him a spot singing, acting and dancing. His comedic talents made him a nighttime fixture during the golden age of TV variety shows. His phrasing and musicianship led to dozens of headliner gigs in the casino showrooms of Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Frank Sinatra anointed him as his favorite pop singer of the early 60s.
Bobby's brutally honest street corner narrative evolved during an eighteen-month collaboration with Allan Slutsky, the award-winning author and producer of the widely acclaimed book and documentary film, Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Inspiring and, at times, heartbreaking Teen Idol On the Rocks gives you a front row seat to the turbulent, six decade journey of one of Rock and Roll's earliest and most celebrated teen idol, Bobby Rydell.
Steve Abubato with Bobby Rydell
The Golden Boys of Bandstand
Bobby, Frankie and Fabian
Teamed up in 1985
And Then There Were Two
RIP Bobby
I saw the Golden Boys of Bandstand when they appeared at Chautauqua Institution. It was a night "us girls" will never forget. We screamed and swooned as the show took us back, in time.
Pat Locke
Maestro Muse
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Phil Collins performed 23 songs on the final night with Genesis on Saturday, March 6, 2022
The 02 in London, England
..a month ago today..
IN THE AIR TONIGHT
This song is my all-time favorite
An exceptional video that captured the true and powerful essence of the legendary
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles Collins born January 30, 1951 in west London is an English drummer, singer-songwriter, record producer and actor. He is best known for his tenure as the drummer and lead singer of the rock band Genesis and for his solo career which began in 1981 initially inspired by his love of soul music. He played drums from the age of five and completed drama school training, which secured him various roles as a child actor with his first major role, aged 13, in the musical Oliver! Later in his career, he resumed his acting appearing in Miami Vice and subsequently starring in the film Buster in 1988.
Collin's released eight studio albums that have sold 33.5 million records in the United States and an estimated 150 million records sold worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists. He is one of only three recording artists, along with Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson, who have sold over 100 million records both as solo artits and separately as principal members of a band. He has won eight Grammy Awards and one Academy Award.
Collins received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010. He has also been recognized by music publications with induction into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame in 2013.
Genesis' The Last Domino? Tour came after a 14-year live performance hiatus. It was also postponed due to the global pandemic. The band is joined on the tour by Collins' son, Nic.
Pat Locke, Maestro Muse
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