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Saturday night usually receives the "lion's share" of attention by the fans and this year was no exception. Approximately 600 + fans jammed the Main Hall at Schuetzen Park and came hungry for some great music. They were not disappointed. Every act was in top form that night and provided one of the most memorable shows at UGHA. Just to hear Willie Winfield sing "Sunday Kind of Love" makes any show a blockbuster. He's probably the last of the vocal group legends and every show with him is a treasure. Willie and the Harptones were joined by other R&B "heavy-weights" like the Channels, 5 Discs, Moonglows and some really special treats like Ruth McFadden, the Clickettes and Leon Mclain.
LEON MCLAIN / LAR KINGS
Leon McClain only sang with one obscure group in the 50's. The Quinns (NYC) recorded "Oh Starlight / Hong Kong" on the tiny Cyclone label. That's a shame because he is one of the finest bass singers that ever hit a bottom note. Leon with the help of Courtney Bailey, Tino Alverez and Gil Torres has put together a Raven's tribute that is just awesome. Leon sounds so much like Jimmy Ricks that it's very, very hard to discern a difference. And with Maithe Marshall "sound alike" Courtney Bailey adding to the mix, well, close your eyes and you're back in the late 40's early 50's listening to one of the "grandaddy" groups of R&B. They were that good.
BARBARA ENGLISH & CLICKETTES
Barbara English has brought back one of the really great "girl" groups from the 1960's. Although never achieving stardom like the Supremes or Shirelles, they produced some of the finest records from that era and they proved it Saturday night. Barbara has been a solo singer since leaving the Clickettes and has an incredible voice and dynamic stage presence. Anyone seeing the Clickettes for the first time was blown away with their sound. The Clickettes today consist of Barbara Jean English, Lorraine Joyner (also sang with Veneers), Sylvia Hammond Akridge, and Trudy McCartney Cunnigham. They wowed the crowd with "Warm Soft and Lovely", "Because of My Best Friend", "Lover's Prayer" and others. On a sad note, original member Charlotte McCartney recently passed away.
5 DISCS
One of the truly great Brooklyn groups and UGHA favorites. Current lead, Eddie Pardocchi, joined the group in the early 60's. The group recorded "Let's Fall in LOve' as the Boyfriend's on the Kapp label in 1964 and Eddie continued the tradition of great lead singers with the Five Discs. He still has that powerful voice and had the crowd going with those classic Five Disc's number such as "Never Let You Go" "I Remember"and "My Baby Loves Me". The group also performed a killer version of "Heart's Desire".
RUTH MCFADDEN / SHEPS
It's almost impossible to describe Ruth because you have to see her live. She is like a tornado on stage and exhudes more energy than one person should possess. Ruth McFadden was a young girl growing up in Manhattan and happened to win an amataur contest at the fabled Apollo Theatre. Winning gave her a chance to record a song for Old Town records. "Darling , Listen to the Words of This Song" didn't become a huge hit but has become a cherished collector's favorite over the years. Ruth was backed up by the Sheps and sang her signature song, "Darling" along with "Two In Love" and the crowd pleasing "School Boy".
EARL LEWIS & CHANNELS
Earl Lewis is one of the true icons of R&B that came out of NYC in the mid 50's. He wrote and recorded "The Closer You Are" on Whirlin' Disc records when he was 16 years. This song has become one the top rated classics from that era. Earl is a truly great stage performer and knows how to keep the crowd entertained and wanting more. He treated UGHA to his classic recordings, "That's My Desire", "The Gleam in Your Eye", "My Heart Is Sad", "My Love for You Will Never Die", "Gloria" and of course "The Closer You Are. A class act and real gentleman. We love you Earl!!!!
WILLIE WINFIELD & HARPTONES
What more can be said about this legend, Willie Winfield. Well, he still sounds fantastic and the Hrptones are still a dynamic group onstage. Willie is joined by original member Bill Dempsey, Marlowe Murry, who sang with the Fi-Tones and Vicky Burgess who sang with the Charmers and Joytones. And certainly, last but not least, their musical arranger and writer and a legend himself, Raoul Cita. Willie and the group recreated their classics, such as, "Sunday Kind of Love", "Memories of You", "The Shrine of St. Cecilia", "Life is but a Dream" and others. Willie is "UGHA Ambassador of Good Will" and we couldn't be luckier to have Willie and the group become part of the UGHA family.
MOONGLOWS
Gary Rogers carries on the legacy of his cousin Bobby Lester. The Moonglows of today sang with Bobby Lester until his death and have carried on the incredible sound of the Monnglows. They are impeccable in the unique 'blow harmony" that was the trade mark of the Moonglows. The guys performed some of great Moonglows songs, "Sincerely", "Most of All", "Foolish Me", "Penny Arcade", "10 Commandments of Love", "Over and Over Again", "See Saw" "When I'm With You" and a great finish with "Hey Santa Claus". Make no mistake, these gentlemen are The Moonglows and carry on great tradition.
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