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‘Best of the ‘Burgh Volume 1’ brings back ’50s, ’60s

By Jean Lohr For The 4 min read

Joe Petrucci of Menallen Township remembers it like it was yesterday. Those were great times. Duck tails weren’t just for ducks, and poodle skirts weren’t necessarily for poodles. Gas was 50 cents a gallon on a bad day. A cheeseburger with all the trimmings could put you back at least 55 cents. Porky Chedwick, the daddio of the raddio, was pushing platters (45s) on WHOD AM 860, and hosting record hops throughout “the Valley.”

Music was breaking out on every street corner in every little coal town up and down the river. Four-part harmonies reigned supreme, doo-wop was king and Pittsburgh was the place to be.

“I grew up on this stuff,” said Petrucci, “This is my favorite.”

Pure Gold recalls those days when they bring their signature a capella vocals to the stage of the State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown.

It will be a night to remember – April 25 at 7:30 p.m. – “Best of the ‘Burgh Volume 1.” Be there or be square.

Petrucci, by day Menallen Township supervisor, wanted to raise awareness of the work that is being done by volunteers in Fayette County and the need for funding.

“This concert is an idea of mine to help out,” he said, “guess you could call it my brainchild.”

All proceeds from ‘Best of the ‘Burgh Volume 1’ will benefit Fayette County Crime Stoppers, the Fayette County Drug Task Force, River Valley ABATE, The Fayette County Tactical Search and Rescue and The State Theatre Center for the Arts.

“We call it ‘Best of the ‘Burgh Volume 1’ because we decided to showcase the wealth of talent we have in this local area,” Petrucci said. “And if it is a success, there could easily be a Volume 2.”

Why these groups?

“I know how good they are,” he said. “I picked them.”

Pure Gold has “doo-wopped” their way through the decades, performing at Radio City Music Hall and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and entertaining 30 million people on the nationally televised PBS specials Doo Wop 50, Rhythm and Doo Wop, Soul Spectacular, Rhythm Love & Soul, Red White & Rock and Rock & Roll 50.

Joining Pure Gold at The State will be The Jaggerz, who have performed coast to coast, even appearing on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. They have shared stages with great American artists and musicians like Ohio native Tommy James, whose road to fame began in Pittsburgh, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Supremes, and The Dells. The Jaggerz number one hit “The Rapper” earned them a gold record, selling more than five million copies.

Also appearing will be Wee Jams, showcasing the soulful (Memphis) sounds of William Dell, the tenor vocals of Louis Cioppa, with Barry Haughin representing the Muscle Shoals scene, and featuring Hal Weiss and Dan Fera. The Wee Jams have a sound that may have been born in the 60s but it transcends the ages.

“I think these guys are going to be show stealers,” said Petrucci. “They are going to do 45 minutes of the best a capella that you’ve ever heard.”

Leon Daniels of the El Venos – a group which included names like Danny Jackson, Leon Taylor, Joey Daniels and Bernard Palmer – began harmonizing on street corners at the age of 15. Though no longer performing as a group, Leon Daniels continues to entertain and sing the El Venos classics like “Geraldine,” “My Heart Beats Faster” and “You Must be True.” Good seats are still available for “Best of the ‘Burgh Volume 1.” Call the box office at 724-439-1360.

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or stop by the theater at 27 E. Main St. during business hours. Tickets can be charged through Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. A service fee applies.

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