WFMU will preempt its regular irregular programming on Saturday, July 30th, to bring forth the most stunning and comprehensive array of female vocalists ever assembled on one stage! Live from the Damrosch Park bandshell in Manhattan, Lincoln Center Out of Doors and The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation will present She's Got the Power: A Girl Group Extravaganza. The lineup promises a veritable cornucopia of feminine vocal and songwriting prowess, and WFMU has been entrusted to disseminate every single blessed note to you in return.
This five-hour-long stage spectacular, from 5pm to 10pm ET, is a roll call of girl group and female solo vocal greats: Ronnie Spector (the Ronettes' namesake was just added to the bill), Lesley Gore, La La Brooks (of the Crystals), Arlene Smith (of the Chantels), Maxine Brown, Barbara Harris (of the Toys), Margaret Ross (of the Cookies), Brenda Reid and Lillian Walker Moss (of the Exciters), Peggy Santiglia Davison and Jiggs Sirico (of the Angels), Beverly Warren (of the Raindrops), Nanette Licori (of the Delrons), Baby Washington and Toni Wine.
Yet WFMU's commitment to this event will have us on the air for nine — count 'em, nine — hours, beginning at 1pm ET! The festivities will be hosted by WFMU boss jocks Rex, Dave the Spazz, Debbie D. and yours truly, Gaylord Fields — we'll be the ones committed to wearing our new matching gold blazers in the sweltering summer heat — beginning at 1 with a live broadcast of Rex's Fool's Paradise program. The radio proceedings continue with tunes and interviews, cranking up the anticipation till the ladies strut their stuff onstage at the 5 o'clock hour.
To whet your appetite, on the Thursday, July 28th edition of Music to Spazz By, Dave the Spazz will host a 45 party, with Billy Miller of Norton Records prying open his record vault to musically air out some of his rare girl group singles. And if that's doesn't sate you, if you're in the greater NYC area and plan on attending the absolutely free concert on Saturday, stop by the officially sanctioned WFMU Rock 'n' Soul Ichiban Internet stream meet-up. Hoist a brew with Debbie D. and the rest of the Gold Blazer Gang at P.J. Clarke's from 3 to about 4:45 to get in the mood to sing along once the show starts.
Aw, wish I could be there! Best wishes to all performers and attendees for a magical time!
Posted by: Jessi Hance | July 23, 2011 at 01:46 PM
I will be there! And maybe even have a Manhattan (or three) at PJ Clarke's, too.
Posted by: JoeNon Papa | July 23, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Not sure I can make in person but I will surely tune-in. As an aside to Gaylord - I cracked open your premium CD the other day and it is (naturally) fantastic!
Posted by: Danne D | July 23, 2011 at 09:29 PM
what happened to Linda Jansen, the ORIGINAL LEAD SINGER OF THE ANGELS on 'TIL & "CRY BABY CRY" ?. It would be nice to give her recognition. She is out there on the Doo-wop circuit &
singing & looking better than ever ! I caught her at one of the shows, so I know. Give credit where
credit is due.
Posted by: Pinky | July 27, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Linda Jansen is a wonderful talent and she was with The Angels, sisters and founders Barb and Jiggs for 1-2 years and sang lead on 'Til and Cry Baby Cry.She has her own show and we never know if we're booked together or not. We're happy to work together when producers book us that way. We're doing 2 of our other 4 chart hits which I sang lead on including My Boyfriend's Back which we recorded after Linda left the group. We consider Linda a friend and enjoy working with her when ever the situation come up.
Posted by: Peggy Santiglia Davison | July 28, 2011 at 07:38 AM
Be sure to play some Clairette Clementino.
-- (The Other) Ken Friedman
Posted by: Ken | July 28, 2011 at 04:32 PM
bring it to Chicago!!!!!
Posted by: diane white | July 30, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I wish I could have been there as the Girl Groups and singers were my favorite back then.Music was everything to me and made me happy.I still play many of them at 65 years old and collect 45's.I know you all had a great time and hope you will have another show that I can make it to.God bless each of you ladies and my heart will always be with you.
Posted by: Marian DeRossett | July 31, 2011 at 03:33 AM
The show was ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL!! It would be great if they could take it on the road but it may not generate the same level of interest that it did in NYC. I'd say that there was close to 5,000 people and it was standing room only. We love our NY ladies of song It was a celebration of the NYC girl group sound and a tribute to Ellie Greenwich. Other cities like L.A., Detroit and Chicago had their own girls and sound so they may not be as interested. It's worth a try though.
Posted by: Frank Johnson | July 31, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Rock"n!!!! Man...that was a great show!! What a treat to hear unsung brill build. girls like Beverly Warren (she blew me away). with her 1965 release of "Let me get close to you" And it goes without mention the stars: Lesley Gore, Ronnie Spector, LaLa....on and on....The Ellie tribute was sublime!!! Loved it...Loved it!!
Posted by: billy bell | July 31, 2011 at 11:55 PM
Will the broadcast of the show be archived here? I did subsequently get to hear portions of it (including the interviews) and really enjoyed it. One major correction is in order. There was a segment featuring Murray the K which included his legendary legendary "Submarine Race Watcher's Theme" from his heyday at 1010-WINS in New York City. The outro by the air personality said "Wow, Meusurry Talk, and ... the Angels ... that was, uh, Peggy and Jiggs." That was incorrect. It was NOT the Angels who sang it (although Peggy [Santiglia] was one of the singers). It was a different group, namely THE DELICATES, who were Murray the K's original "Dancing Girls." The Delicates consisted of Peggy along with Arleen Lanzotti and Denise Ferri. It was the Delicates who not only sang the "Submarine Race Watcher's Theme" and the famous "Meusurry" song but who also wrote them.
Posted by: Ronnie Allen | August 01, 2011 at 09:49 PM
I realized later about my error. Thanks!
A new comment from Ronnie Allen was received on the post WFMU Gives Its
Airwaves Over to the Girl Group Greats on July 30 of the blog WFMUs
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Comment:
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Will the broadcast of the show be archived here? I did subsequently get to
hear portions of it (including the interviews) and really enjoyed it. One
major correction is in order. There was a segment featuring Murray the K
which included his legendary legendary Submarine Race Watchers Theme
from his heyday at 1010-WINS in New York City. The outro by the air
personality said Wow, Meusurry Talk, and ... the Angels ... that was,
uh, Peggy and Jiggs. That was incorrect. It was NOT the Angels who sang
it (although Peggy [Santiglia] was one of the singers). It was a different
group, namely THE DELICATES, who were Murray the Ks original Dancing
Girls. The Delicates consisted of Peggy along with Arleen Lanzotti and
Denise Ferri. It was the Delicates who not only sang the Submarine Race
Watchers Theme and the famous Meusurry song but who also wrote them.
Commenter name: Ronnie Allen
Commenter email: [email protected]
Commenter URL: http://www.jerseygirlssing.com
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Enjoy!
Posted by: Gaylord Fields | August 01, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Gaylord - Thanks for the vintage recordings of Murray the "K" and his Dancing Girls: The Delicates. Wonderful to hear it all again. Murray was a great talent, a real trooper; always "on with the show" now matter what was plaguing him personally (I believe the oxygen tank was necessary because Murray was suffering from a physical ailment at the time - not simply because he was some "crazy" kinda guy.)What can you say about The Delicates: the New Jersey girl group who wrote and sang their own music and much of what defined Murray the 'K' as a disc jockey. They are loved by many. And thanks to the ever amazingly accurate Ronnie Allen (our favorite music detective)for the Delicates/Angels correction. I dig the respect Ronnie demonstrates for every music maker and listener by going the extra mile in investigation and discovery. The music of the 50's - 60'(as well as all of the past) is of infinite global interest now. What an opportunity for many of the talents from those golden years who were not in the forefront of the industry to finally receive the recognition they deserve. Credit needs to be given where it is due not elsewhere. Unfortunately, some of the facts of the past get mixed in with fiction by those who ought to know better. Fortunately for us there are still many around who were there and care enough to clear up the misquotes. The history of music is as important as any history and it needs to be factual. Thanks to all who participated in making the music of that early rock n roll era what it was and is. And thanks to those who work at getting the record straight for the sake of all the talent who took part and their beloved fans! Let's not be sloppy with a golden past so many hold so dear.
Posted by: Morten Meekel | August 11, 2011 at 02:41 PM
Just saw this now,sounds awesome!! Wish I was there. sigh
Posted by: Mahesh The Songwriting Kid | September 11, 2011 at 12:06 PM