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ROCK, POP & DOO WOP (MY MUSIC)
MARCH 7 AT 7 PM
EIGHT, ARIZONA PBS

– Ronnie Spector, Jay Black & Other Legends Finally Get To Sing Their Hits –

Rock and pop legends Ronnie Spector (of The Ronettes) and Jon “Bowzer” Bauman (of Sha Na Na) team up to host a celebration of the best-loved songs from the late 1950s and early 1960s in an all-new My Music concert event. Recorded in May, 2010, this special offers emotion-packed performances from iconic voices singing songs that have remained popular for over forty years. Rock, Pop & Doo Wop (My Music) airs on Monday, March 7, 2011 at 7 p.m. on Eight, Arizona PBS.

Highlights: For the first time in four decades, pop-rock royalty Ronnie Spector is able to sing on TV the biggest hits from her days as the star of The Ronettes: “Be My Baby” and “Baby I Love You.” History is also made when La La Brooks performs “Da Doo Ron Ron (When He Walked Me Home)” and “Then He Kissed Me,” two girl group classics from The Crystals and songs on which Brooks sang lead vocals on the original recordings. The beloved Jay Black, formerly of Jay & The Americans, renders his show-stopping smash “Cara Mia” and Len Barry makes a rare appearance to offer his #1 hit “1-2-3.” The Orlons hit the stage with “The Wah-Watusi” in tribute to the Philly teen dance music of American Bandstand era in the early 1960s.

“This show is also unique in that we've been able to acquire lost footage from archives around the world that hasn't been seen since originally aired,” says My Music creator and executive producer TJ Lubinsky. “Included are anthems like ‘Get A Job' by the Silhouettes and ‘Book Of Love' by The Monotones.”   Also featured is an original performance by Johnny Maestro & The Crests (before Maestro formed The Brooklyn Bridge). “Johnny was an all-time legend of vocal group harmony,” said Lubinsky. “After his recent passing, seeing him in his prime is a highly poignant moment.”

Featured songs and performers:

  • “Yakety-Yak”/“Charlie Brown” – Carl Gardner's Coasters
  • “Can't We Be Sweethearts” - The Cleftones
  • “Silhouettes” - The Rays
  • “I Love You So”/ “Maybe” – The Chantels
  • “Blue Moon” – The Marcels
  • “Step By Step” - Johnny Maestro & The Crests
  • “Rhythm of the Rain” – John Gummoe (of The Cascades)
  • “Book Of Love” – The Monotones
  • “A Little Bit Of Soap” – The Jarmels
  • “A Thousand Stars In The Sky” - Kathy Young
  • “Lovers Concerto” – Barbara Harris & The Toys
  • Platters' Greatest Hits - Sonny Turner (medley: “Only You,” “Great Pretender,” “Twilight Time,” “Harbor Lights,” “Magic Touch,” “My Prayer,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”)
  • “1-2-3” - Len Barry
  • “Wah-Watusi” - The Orlons
  • “Venus in Blue Jeans” - Jimmy Clanton
  • “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” - Shirley Alston Reeves (original lead singer of The Shirelles)
  • “Cara Mia” - Jay Black (originally with Jay & The Americans)
  • “Baby I Love You” - Ronnie Spector
  • “Be My Baby” - Ronnie Spector
  • “Da Doo Ron Ron” - La La Brooks (originally with The Crystals)
  • “Then He Kissed Me” - La La Brooks (originally with The Crystals)
  • “Get A Job” - The Silhouettes
  • “Looking For an Echo” - Kenny Vance & The Planotones

About Eight, Arizona PBS

Eight, Arizona PBS specializes in the education of children, in-depth news and public affairs, lifelong learning, and the celebration of arts and culture -- utilizing the power of noncommercial television, the Internet, educational outreach services, and community-based initiatives. The PBS station began broadcasting from the campus of Arizona State University on January 30, 1961. Now more than 80 percent of Arizonans receive the signal through a network of translators, cable and satellite systems. With more than 1 million viewers each week, Eight consistently ranks among the most-viewed public television stations per capita in the country. Arizonans provide more than 60 percent of the station's annual budget.

Eight is a member-supported service of Arizona State University.