On Thursday, July 30, Concerts under the Stars at Lou Booth Amphitheater, Second and Ocean avenues, will present the Rainbow Club Reunion featuring the Roca Bocs.
If you have a few years under your belt, you may remember the Rainbow Room on Pacific Avenue in Wildwood, one of the clubs where George Young played his hit (credited to Georgie Young and the Rockin’ Bocs), “Nine More Miles,” on Cameo Records in 1958.
North Wildwood Mayor Bill Henfey said,” This concert will bring back lots of good memories for many, and for those who are relative newcomers to our island, they’ll begin to understand what a wonderful musical history we have.”
All the Concerts under the Stars begin at 8 p.m. at Lou Booth Amphitheater, Second and Ocean avenues.
Trivia fans, here’s one for you: What do “Simon Says” and “1, 2, 3 Redlight” have in common?
Sure, they’re little kids’ games, but you may remember they’re also songs from the early years of Rock ‘n Roll sung by 1910 Fruitgum Company.
Originally called Dr. Jeckell and the Hydes, the group formed in January of 1967 and consisted of Floyd Marcus on drums, Pat Karwan on lead guitar, Mark Gutkowski on organ, Steve Mortkowitz on bass guitar, and Frank Jeckell on rhythm guitar, and all of them took turns on vocals.
They recorded their biggest hit, “Simon Says,” which was on the album of the same title. Their second album was “1,2,3 Redlight.”
On their third album, “Goody Goody Gumdrops,” the band changed almost all of its members with Mark Gutkowski on organ and rhythm guitar, Chuck Travis on lead guitar, Rusty Oppenheimer on drums, Larry Ripley on bass and horns, and Bruce Shay on percussion, all of them taking turns on vocals.
At that point, the Fruitgum Co. consisted of Jimmy Casazza on drums, Don Christopher on guitar and vocals, Ralph Cohen on trumpet, Rich Gomez on guitar and vocals, Jerry Roth on saxophone and Pat Soriano on keyboards and vocals.
Lately members have gotten back together to re-form the Fruitgum Company.
Come out and see them at the free concert, Saturday, Aug. 1 at 8 p.m. at Lou Booth Amphitheater, Second and Ocean avenues.
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