| Rock, Rhythm and Doo Wop |
A simple song can transport anyone back in time — and the lyrical and electric sounds of rock, rhythm and doo wop do it better than almost any other genre. They evoke images of slow-dancing with a steady in the still of the night … crying to an “ex” that he don’t love you like I love you … or dreaming of happily-ever-after since I fell for you … Western Reserve PBS presents a musical event that is as close to time-travel as television allows. Rock, Rhythm and Doo Wop, taped at the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — the Oldies Capital of the World — reunites the original legends of rock ’n’ roll for a once-in-a-lifetime performance. Hosted by pop music legends Frankie Valli, Jerry (The Iceman) Butler and Lloyd Price, the program also boasts a surprise appearance by Little Richard, who burns up the stage with an exhilarating performance of “Keep A-Knockin’.” Also on the bill for Rock, Rhythm and Doo Wop is Fred Parris, who comes out of retirement after a decade to join the Five Satins in a performance of “In the Still of the Night,” the number-one oldies single of all time. Hal Miller joins the Rays after 40 years of retirement to sing “Silhouettes”; and Kathy Young is reunited with the Innocents to sing “A Thousand Stars” for the first time since they recorded the hit when Young was just 14 years old. Ed Townsend, who wrote and produced Marvin Gaye’s R&B classic “Let’s Get It On,” performs his 1958 hit “For Your Love”; hometown Pittsburgh boy Lou Christie displays his classic trademark falsetto in “Lightning Strikes.” The line-up also includes superstars Little Anthony and the Imperials singing their hits “Tears on My Pillow,” “Going Out of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop.” In a touching return to the stage after battling throat cancer last year, Larry Chance reunites with the Earls to sing “I Believe” and “Remember Then.”
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