Stories of artists passing on songs which would go on to be mega-hits for other artists abound in the music business. However both The Mystics and The Flamingos share the distinction of having compositions that were written expressly for them swiped at the last minute by artists whose stars were shining just a little bit
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Gary Lewis & the Playboys & Mitch Ryder in Dearborn
Saturday, July 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center15801 Michigan Ave
Dearborn MI 48126
Phone: (313) 943-2354
Gary Lewis and The Playboys return to Dearborn! The comedy antics of his father, Jerry Lewis, skyrocketed him to fame when he was just barely out of his teens, but in 1965 Gary Lewis & the Playboys released their first single, “This Diamond Ring” and it went straight to number one. That same year, Gary was Cash Box magazine’s “Mail Vocalist of the Year”, winning the honor over other nominees including Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. An enviable string of hits followed, “Count Me In,” “Save Your Heart For Me,” “Everybody Loves A Clown,” “She’s Just My Style,” “Sure Gonna Miss Her” and many more. He was the only artist during the 60’s to have his first 7 releases reach Billboard’s Top 10. Gary still sounds just like his records and tells stories only he can tell – growing up in Hollywood, becoming one of the biggest rock starts of the sixties and touring the world with hits everyone knows and loves.
High octane, turbo, high performance, super-charged Mitch Ryder didn’t need to hail from the Motor City for those adjectives to be tossed his way, but it was certainly appropriate that he and the Detroit Wheels called Motown home. Ryder hit in late 1965 with “Jenny Take A Ride”, followed by “C.C. Rider” welded to “Jenny, Jenny” and “Little Latin Lupe Lu”. Late in 1966, the “Devil With A Blue Dress On” and “Good Golly Miss Molly” medley exploded over the airwaves and indelibly stamped the Mitch Ryder sound on anyone with an earshot. Hearing these tunes again might be nostalgic for some, but the way Mitch Ryder kicks out the rockin’ R&B jams is energy-packed and timeless.
Leisa Parnham will deliver her salute to Whitney, Aretha, Tina and Gladys and The Shades of Blue will bring their unique brand of Motown magic to the stage, singing all your favorites and their own “Oh How Happy”.
