Malt Shop Memories Live III

Friday, September 19 – 7:00pm:

Malt shop Memories Live is the gold standard for Rock & Roll fans everywhere.

Step back in time for a night of unforgettable music and legendary voices! The Garden State Arts Foundation presents Malt Shop Memories Live III, a spectacular celebration of doo-wop, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll. Featuring an all-star lineup including Bobby Wilson, Frankie Pizarro, The Knockouts, The Classics, The Fortunes, The Duprees, Jay Siegel’s Tokens, The Coasters, Johnny Farina, Pop Divas Through the Decades with the Chiclettes, Sounds of the Street, Tommy C., and beloved WABC Radio Personality Vinnie Medugno. This concert promises wall-to-wall hits and heartwarming nostalgia, and it’s a night you won’t want to miss!

Bobby Wilson

Bobby Wilson, son of legendary R&B/Soul singer Jackie Wilson, shares the same amazing traits and talents of his father. Many say Jackie Wilson’s legacy lives on through Bobby. His adoring fans have dubbed him ‘Mr. Entertainment’ from his natural ability to entertain and bring every crowd to their feet.

Bobby is also a three-time Grammy Balloted Artist with his latest CD, “It’s About Time”, and four Top 10 hits that packed #10 on the Adult Contemporary Charts.

Whether performing Jackie’s hits or Motown favorites, “what you’re going to see is Bobby Wilson giving you all he’s got on stage,” the singer says, “And my dad’s going to show himself, you’re going to hear him and you’re going to see him … I feel my dad around me a lot,” a presence, he added, that’s felt by his audience during every show.

Frank Pizarro

Former Lead Singer of The Platters

Inspired by early R&B and Oldies legends of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, Frankie grew up swooning along with his radio. He cultivated his silky-smooth vocals in a gospel choir in his hometown of New York City, where he still performs on occasion. He has become the entertainer to be reckoned with. Frankie made his mark in the entertainment music world during his formidable years on the New York music scene, sharing the stage with greats like Barbra Streisand, James Ingram and Tony Bennett.

The Knockouts

Bob D’Andrea and the Knockouts were widely known as “the good times rock ‘n’ roll oldies Doo Wop duo. They soon became one of the most popular musical/show acts in the country. In 1960 D’Andrea recorded the Doo Wop hit “Darling Loraine”. Through the years, Bob has entertained people all around the world. His on-stage energy and performances have made him legendary among his peers. Bob has also appeared in motion pictures such as the mega hit “A Bronx Tale” where he created and played the character “Tony Toupee.” This was the 2nd time Bobby played in a movie with Joe Pesci. They appeared together in the 1976 film “The Death Collector”. In the 80’s and 90’s he teamed with friend Frank Cirell to form the musical/comedy duo Andre & Cirell.

The Classics

Emil Stucchio and The Classics’ unique style puts them in a class of their own. They received their recording contract in 1959 and their first release “Cinderella” hit the national Top 100. In 1963, The Classics released “Till Then” which sold 5.5 million records and was voted #6 on the all-time Top 100 records on CBS FM! Their follow-up, “P.S. I Love You” in 1964, was also a top 40 record.

The Fortunes

The Fortunes are a British Invasion era pop band, best known for their 1965 hit “You’ve Got Your Troubles”. They are also known for other songs like “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again” and “Storm in a Teacup”.

The group is recognized for their three-part harmonies and their ability to craft both upbeat and melancholic ballads.

The Duprees

The Duprees have entertained audiences who love their unique and romantic sound for more than six decades. From their doo-wop and rock and roll groups start in Jersey City New Jersey, they grew quickly to become a sensation all across the country and around the world.

Although members have changed throughout the years, the singing group stayed in touch with their east coast roots and dedication to bringing favorite classics in an updated style. The singing group still thrills audiences with their smooth harmonies and romantic sound as they revitalize their top hits for new generations. Their dedication to preserving the sound, sharing it with more people, and spreading appreciation for music everywhere continues with Tommy Petillo, Jimmy Spinelli and Shawn Stevens who are todays Duprees for more than 43 consecutive years of stage performances.

Jay Siegel’s Tokens

A reformed Tokens group emerged in 1961 with Mitch and Phil Margo joining Medress and Siegel. The group quickly attained prominence with the hit song, “Tonight I Fell In Love.”

In October 1961, they recorded what has become one of the biggest hit songs of all time, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” That hit song is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2011. One of the seminal songs of all times, it has enjoyed resurgence in multi-generational popularity thanks to its prominence in the long-running Broadway hit show, The Lion King.

The Coasters

The Coasters were a highly successful American rhythm and blues and rock and roll vocal group active from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s. They are known for their humorous, theatrical, and often comical songs, which frequently featured storytelling lyrics and clever wordplay. Their biggest hits include “Yakety Yak”, “Charlie Brown”, “Poison Ivy”, and “Along Came Jones”.

Johnny Farina

The Quintessential Steel Guitarist of our contemporary era, Johnny Farina of “Santo & Johnny” has been touring Europe and America for the pasty Fifty years, regularly performing at Concerts and Festivals and has also been well received in Mexico and Australia, too.

“Santo & Johnny” earned a Gold Record in 1959 for their prolific original instrumental song – “Sleep Walk” – which they wrote and released that year. This song has been covered by more than Two Hundred different artists in its long history and has been heard in over Twenty Movies, TV Programs and Series and TV commercials as well, from 1959 to 2016.

The Chiclettes

From The Supremes to Chaka Khan, Lesley Gore to Donna Summer, Aretha Franklin to The Pointer Sisters… The Chiclettes will get you moving with their high-energy tribute to female artists through the decades!

Performing hit after hit, they remind us of the remarkable contributions these artists made to pop music through the years. Their high-energy appeal is universal; the young and young-at-heart appreciate them alike!

Sounds of the Street

Popular Oldies-Doowop Group, Sounds of the Street is a 5 piece group singing all over N.J. Born and raised in Newark, Nutley, Jersey City, and Brooklyn, now residing in Ocean County. 

Tommy Cono

Singing yesterday’s music for today’s ears, Tommy Coniglio is a young and talented performer bringing back the greatest hits.

​Fans say Tommy Cono’s voice takes them back decades in time as he swoons audiences to the tunes of Frankie Valli, The Bee Gees, Bobby Rydell, Elvis Presley, Len Barry, Del Shannon, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and more.

At just 28 years old, this New Jersey native truly is The Voice of Tribute and is a performer to watch.

Vinnie Medugno

WABC Radio Personality, Vinnie Medugno is enthusiastic in every sense of the word! A jack of all trades as he is known to be, he entertains, teaches at Port Richmond High School (where he graduated from), does charity work, and can also be seen alongside some of the biggest names in reality television, as well as the radio and music industries.

This charismatic young up-and-coming star is on the rise. Whether it is hosting or performing, this incredible young, good-looking personality takes the stage and commands it.