Hit makers coming to town
Four legendary musical acts will perform Feb. 8 at Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Rd.
The “70s Soul Train” concert, which will start at 8 p.m., will feature The Stylistics, “Duke of Earl” Gene Chandler and The Chi Lites – with original member Marshall Thompson – and Carl Carlton. Ray Road Presents is behind the concert. The same company sponsored a Jerry Butler concert at Reynolds Auditorium last September.
The Stylistics were the leading Philly soul group during the early ‘70s. The band had 12 straight Top Ten hits, including “You Are Everything,” “Betcha by Golly, Wow,” “I’m Stone in Love With You,” “Break Up to Make Up” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” The group was known as one of the smoothest and sweetest soul groups of the era.
Chandler
Chandler will always be known for his classic novelty and doo wop-tinged soul ballad “Duke of Earl,” which was a number one hit in 1962 and sold a million copies in just over a month. After spending three weeks at the top of the charts, Chandler purchased a cape, a monocle, a top hat and a cane and became “The Duke of Earl,” appearing in movies and on TV.
Chandler also had a monster pop and soul smash in 1970 with “Groovy Situation,” hitting number eight on the R&B charts. He was a frequent guest on Soul Train in the show’s pioneering years in Chicago, appearing three times in the first two seasons. Chandler’s “Familiar Footsteps” was the show’s original theme song. In 1978, capitalizing on the shift to dance music he again scored a huge hit with “Get Down,” hitting number three on the R&B charts.
Hailing from Chicago, the Chi Lites had a string of hits with a lush, creamy sound that was distinguished by four-part harmonies and layered productions.
During the early ‘70s, the group racked up 11 Top Ten R&B singles, ranging from the romantic ballads “Have You Seen Her” and “Oh Girl” to protest songs like “(For God’s Sake) Give More Power to the People” and “There Will Never Be Any Peace (Until God Is Seated at the Conference Table).”
For ticket information, go to http://www.rjreynoldsauditorium.com.
