Rock ‘n Roll Extravaganza, Vol. I August 14, 2010

Starring LOU CHRISTIE who penned the hits “Lightning Strikes” and “The Gypsy Cried”

JAY SIEGEL AND THE TOKENS famous for the classic, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductees THE TEENAGERS best remembered for their smash, “Why Do Fools Fall In Love”

THE DUBS who asked the world, “Could This Be Magic”

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Inductee SHIRLEY ALSTON REEVES, original lead singer of THE SHIRELLES who sang “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”

THE CLASSICS and their popular “Till Then” and from Brooklyn's Santo & Johnny it's JOHNNY FARINA of “Sleepwalk” fame.

All dates, acts, times and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices do not include service charges or shipping and handling. All ticket prices increase $5 on the day of the show.

The foundations of rock music are in rock and roll, which originated in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and quickly spread to much of the rest of the world. Its immediate origins lay in a mixing together of various popular musical genres of the time, including rhythm and blues, gospel music, and country and western.

Some perceived the death of rock and roll with the plane crash that resulted in the deaths of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. However, it did not disappear at the end of the 1950s. Rock and roll energy can be seen in the Twist dance craze of the early 60s, mainly benefiting the career of Chubby Checker. Girl groups like the Shirelles found success placing an emphasis on harmonies and polished production that was in contrast to earlier rock and roll. Some of the most significant girl group hits were products of the Brill Building Sound, named after the block in New York where many songwriters were based, which included the #1 hit for the Shirelles "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" in 1960, penned by the partnership of Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

In the early 60s figures like Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and Stevie Wonder were dominating the R&B charts and breaking through into the main pop charts, helping to accelerate their desegregation. These elements, including the close harmonies of Doo Wop and girl groups, the carefully crafted song-writing of the Brill Building Sound and the polished production values of soul, have been seen as influencing pop music in Britain and particularly the early work of The Beatles, and through them the form of later rock music. Some historians of music have also pointed to important and innovative technical developments that built on rock and roll in this early 60s period.

Official Website: http://bethelwoodscenter.org/bwevents/eventdetail.aspx?id=137