Gloria Stavers!

Happy New Year!

 
Wow-ee!! The year went by fasterthanthis!!  Hope all you Ravers have a swingin' New Year's Eve!  See ya in 2011! 

Happy Birthday Davy Jones!

 

Happy Birthday Mike Nesmith!

 

Happy Birthday Sajid Khan!

 
 

Clay Cole (January 1, 1938 - December 18, 2010)

 
Clay Cole, host of the popular TV dance program "The Clay Cole Show" has passed away at his North Carolina home at age 72.  16 readers may remember Clay Cole's "Kwestion Kolumn" and "Stop Right Where You Are!" (although in his book "Sh-Boom!" he admits that Gloria wrote every word of "his" columns.)  But using Clay's name as a bi-line was a testament to his name recognition and popularity.  Like Gloria Stavers, he was instrumental in advancing the careers of many performers who are now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  His New York-based show ran from 1959 to 1968 and introduced viewers to the Rolling Stones, Dion, the Ronettes, and Neil Diamond among many others.

 
 
 
Clay Cole and Gloria Stavers (16 - June '66)

 

 

 

Davy Jones at Mohegan Sun

 
16 SPEC Winter '68

 

Undeterred by day-after Thanksgiving food hangovers or Black Friday shopping temptation, fans of Davy Jones turned out in droves for his return to Mohegan Sun's Wolf Den.  Taking the stage before him, his band built the anticipation level before Davy entered to the theme from "Rocky."  But unlike Rocky, Davy Jones hasn't had to face the challenges of a comeback, because he's been a successful actor/entertainer since the age of 11. Jones was on a fast track to solo stardom with his Tony-nominated role as the Artful Dodger in the original Broadway production of "Oliver" and an LP on the Colpix label before being cast in "The Monkees" in 1966. The mega-popular show won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and created a new generation of fans when the series re-aired in the '70s and '80s.  The Monkees sold millions of albums and concert tickets before disbanding to pursue separate projects.  In subsequent years Davy Jones has toured with other Monkees, the Teen Idols tours, and as a solo act.  His fan base spans generations and genders, and his theatrical experience gives him another musical avenue to explore in his performances.

Davy kicked off the show with a rousing version of the chart-topping hit "I'm a Believer" written by Neil Diamond, followed by "Papa Gene's Blues"  by Mike Nesmith, whom he called his "favorite songwriter."  He introduced "Mary Mary" with "Remember that little dance I used to do?  I still do it!" ... as if fans could forget his signature "skate" move!  Taking time for many jokes and stories, no one was safe from Davy's good-natured ribbing, including former Monkee-mates, fellow teen idols Peter Noone and David Cassidy, and most of all himself.  He bemoaned the aging process that even pop stars eventually face ("I used to be a heartthrob ... now I'm a coronary!")  He returned to singing with "When Love Comes Knocking at Your Door" (with nice harmonies by the band) and and a rollicking "She Hangs Out". 

Davy recalled his Broadway days in 1962, making an interesting point that the British Invasion started on stage, before delivering "Consider Yourself" from "Oliver."  He then introduced his wife, dancer Jessica Pacheco Jones, who accompanied Davy's "Amore" with an expert flamenco.  Also given a latin arrangement was the Neil Diamond-penned "A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You." Both songs gave Davy a chance to show some impressive moves of his own that may be the influence of his talented wife. 

Davy had a little fun turning his camera on some of the audience members, then slowed things down with "It's Nice To Be With You."  Although his voice has deepened with age, Davy still sounds remarkably the same as when Gloria Stavers crowned him as 16's first "Teen King" in December '67.   He proudly mentioned his four daughters, now grown and with children and careers of their own, before singing a sweet ballad about parenthood called "Let Them Be Little."  He gave his tambourine a workout on "Valerie," which featured a blistering solo by lead guitarist Dave Robicheau.  Davy credited the song's writers Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart ("two of my favorite people",) who were responsible for many of The Monkee's hits.  After a touching story about meeting soldiers in the Sacramento airport in 1967, Davy sang the fan favorite "I Wanna Be Free" and dedicated it to "every service man and woman."  He then accompanied himself on acoustic guitar on his own composition "(I'll) Love You Forever" which he sang for all those little girls who hung his posters on their walls.  The band jumped back in for The Monkee's first single, the #1 smash "Last Train to Clarksville" and followed it with "Girl" from Davy's memorable appearance on "The Brady Bunch," an episode that gave girls one more reason to be jealous of Marcia Brady.

Jessica Pacheco came onstage again to perform a furiously paced flamenco, complete with traditional fan, accompanying Davy's singing of "Cara Mia, Dance Latina."  Again Davy showed that his vocal style is well-suited for many musical genres, including the romantic standards and pop classics he covers on his most recent CD  "She."    

Davy rounded out the show with some of The Monkee's biggest hits. "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" was followed by an audience singalong version of another #1 hit "Daydream Believer."  By the encore songs "Pleasant Valley Sunday," and "I'm a Believer,"  Davy Jones had made us all believe that his talents are truly ageless.