By Eli (151.197.217.213) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 06:59 am:

I would just like to say that last night's
Philly Soul Spectacular was a monumental success and it was completely sold out!!
The venue was the beautiful new Kimmel center for the performing arts which is across the street from Philly International.
Back in the day, on that very site was the Fantasy Lounge where all of the PIR and other Philly acts used to hang and relax
It was done in the tradition of the WQED PBS specials.
In fact all of the great musicians from those shows were flown in as well as backing singers Pure Gold .
They were all very professional and a joy to work with.

I arrived at the morning rehearsal at ten AM.which was held in the Rendell rom which reminds me of a 2003 Bell Sound!!
The lineup was:
The Soul Survivors, Billy Harner, Eddie Holman,
Dave Bupp of the Magnificent Men, Barbara Mason, Billy Paul,The Orlons, Frankie Avalon, The Tymes, Billy and the Essentials, Junior Pirollo and the Four Jays,
Kenny Vance and his group,and of course the Stylistics who I had the honor of of conducting for.
We were served a wonderful buffet lunch and then then the dress rehearsal was moved to the main room(Verizon hall)which is a sight to behold as it is like a modern day La Scala!!

We were then served a sumptuous dinner aand then it was time for the show which went without a hitch.

All of the artists were in rare form and Jerry Blavat was the consummate mc and host!!
The Styilistics closed the show and then there was a rousing finale where everyone came back out on stage.
I was in my glory up there conducting.
There was an after party at a local nightclub as well.

By Lynn Bruce (68.41.107.30) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 07:38 am:

Sounds like a magical night Bobby.I hope we get to see it.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.36) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 07:54 am:

Wow Bobby,
what a great line up
Would loved to of seen it all and I bet you had a blast.
great stuff and thanks Bobby.
mel

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 08:22 am:

Fantastic!!! Who was with the Orlons?

By David Meikle (81.130.211.124) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 08:48 am:

Was George Williams with The Tymes Bobby?

He was performing in Benidorm, Spain for a couple of years. 1999-2000 I think.

Still had a great voice then.

Leon Huff or maybe Kenny Gamble were once quoted as saying George had one of the best voices that they ever worked with.

By Sue (205.188.209.109) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:14 am:

Bring it to Detroit! I'd also like to know who was in the Tymes...

And what street was/is Philly International on?

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 10:44 am:

Bobby:
Great work! I would love to see the videotape!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Nish (170.224.224.134) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 11:41 am:

Eli! Sounds like a magical night!!! I WISH I could have been there. Barbara Mason is one of the greatest performers.

And the Soul Survivors of "Expressway To Your Heart" were there? Now that's a performance I would have LOVED to have seen.

By David Meikle (81.109.33.165) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:12 pm:

Sue

Tymes line up is on this pagehttp://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/members.htm

They're calling George "Williamson" but I'm almost certain it is "Williams.

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:19 pm:

Are there more shows planned? Wow! Hope they
get Dee Dee Sharp to appear.

By David Meikle (81.109.33.165) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:40 pm:

PIR is based at 309 South Broad Street

By Sue (63.85.105.20) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 01:43 pm:

I lived just a block off Broad Street in my early years, on Hunting Park. I think it was Cameo Parkway that was on Hunting Park Ave., the industrial side, on the other side of Broad Street.

Bobby or Vonnie will know.

By David Meikle (81.109.33.165) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 02:03 pm:

Sue

Bobby told us that Cameo Parkway was in the lane to the right of this building. Past the blue wheelie bins.

When he returns he'll comment hopefully.

By Eli (151.197.217.213) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 02:06 pm:

Hi guys and gals!!!

It WAS a magical night indeed.

The Orlons have original member Steve Caldwell.
As far as the girls, I believe that al of the originaks are deceased.
One of the girls, Helen has been with them since Spinning Top. The other girls , I do not know although they were great.

One of the real surprises was Dave Bup the lead singer of the Mag Men sing peace of mind backed by Pure Gold. Awesome.

Eddie Holman... Awesome..awesome indeed.
When I grow up, I want to sing like that!!!

There was no video, unfortunately.
Henry DeLuca, the PBS producer did take "home video" of the rehearsal as did a few other people.

I took many "classic" pics of the rehearsals and the activities of the day and would you believe, someone stole my camera and my Funk Bros hat!!!!
Vonnie brought me another camera later and I took more pics but not as great as the set that was stolen.
I will post them as soon as they are developed.

The original Soul Suvivors, Richie and Charlie Ingui were great and it was quite a surprise to have them perform there and they are the nice guys that they always were.

The Tymes have three original members plus a new addition as well.
Their lead singer Lafayette , who has been with them for years keeps getting better and better!!

The Stylistics brought the house down and I was honored to have been a part of their show.

We are going to get together and see what we can conjur up as far as new material is concerned as they are a class act and have more hits in them.
Their lead , Eban Brown is Russell reborn and than some!!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Thursday, June 19, 2003 - 02:08 pm:

Bobby:
WAAAAAAAAAHHH!!! No video! (sniff-sniff...)
I'm just gonna have to imagine what my man David Bupp sounds like today.....
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Randy Russi (169.139.180.100) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 11:12 am:

I knew Shirley and Marlena of the Orlons were no
longer living, but I thought Rosetta Hightower
was alive and living in England. Anyone know
for sure?
Cameo-Parkway was at 1405 Locust St. At least
that's where their offices were.

By Eli (151.197.64.135) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 11:16 am:

In 1963 C/P moved to 309 S. Broad st where PIR is located.
G&H later purchased to property as well as the building next door.

As far as Rosetta is concerned, no one knows for sure, including Steve Caldwell.

By Eli (151.197.64.135) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 03:01 pm:

There is one very important thing which I neglected to mention regarding the Soul Spectacular.
The love and cammeraderie(sp) in that building was genuine and second to none every second of the day from beginning to end and the love shared between to two"Pennsylvania Coasts" was heartfelt.
I was there from 10 am until midnight and I was just warming up as it could have gone on all night as far as we wre all concerned.
Just the look on everyones face was worth its weight in gold!!
Truly amazing!!!