Local doo-wop fans ready for Joe Nardone’s Holiday Doo-wop Extravaganza

WILKES-BARRE — Joe Nardone knows doo-wop, and this weekend another of his genre-centric shows will take over the F.M. Kirby Center.

The show begins 7 p.m. Dec. 10, with The Skyliners, Larry Chance & The Earls, The Dubs, La La Brooks, Jimmy Gallagher and The Classic Sounds taking the stage and performing for doo-wop fans including 75-year-old Jessup resident Carmen Vinciguerra. Vinciguerra said he has attended all of the doo-wop shows at the venue promoted by Nardone except one — he was on concert injured reserve due to eye surgery — and he’s excited for Dec. 10’s lineup of performers.

“It’s just music that never gets old, there’s no question about it,” Vinciguerra said. “I like all the groups he has. Larry Chance & The Earls, God, they go way back.”

Vinciguerra said that younger bands “just don’t have that ’60s, ’70s sound” that forces concert goers to sit straight and pay attention. That quality may come from the authenticity of the acts. Fellow doo-wop fan Tony Rasimas said it’s important to him that the groups he pays to see are as close to the original as possible and Nardone’s shows deliver.

“What he does, and I believe it’s true, is try to get as close to the original as possible with every act,” said Rasimas, a 74-year-old Wilkes-Barre resident. “Of course, that’s almost impossible today because we’re all so old.”

Pittsburgh act The Skyliners is still fronted by original singer Jimmy Beaumont. The singers who surround him today may not be the same ones he sang with on hits like 1959’s “Since I Don’t Have You,” but Beaumont is grateful for the energy they bring to the stage.

“These people are so good and they carry me along,” Beaumont said. “I’m 76 years old now, but I don’t feel like it. I still have a lot of energy and they just push me along.”

Beaumont said he sees a surprising amount of young people in the audience at his performances, and both Vinciguerra and Rasimas said Nardone’s doo-wop shows are attended by a strong contigent of young fans. For those few hours Rasimas is young again too.

“Every generation has their own music, whatever age you are, that music has to effect you in some way,” Rasimas said. “It stays with you forever.”

Pittsburgh-based doo-wop act The Skyliners will perform as part of Joe Nardone’s Holiday Doo-wop Extravaganza at the F.M. Kirby Center. Skyliners singer Jimmy Beaumont said each of the four members will be featured during their set.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Skyliners-4-untoned.jpg.optimal.jpgPittsburgh-based doo-wop act The Skyliners will perform as part of Joe Nardone’s Holiday Doo-wop Extravaganza at the F.M. Kirby Center. Skyliners singer Jimmy Beaumont said each of the four members will be featured during their set. Submitted photo

Dolores “LaLa” Brooks’ voice can be heard on The Crystals’ hit songs “Then He Kissed Me” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.” Brooks will perform at Joe Nardone’s Holiday Doo-wop Extravaganza along with The Skyliners, The Classic Sounds, Larry Chance & The Earls, The Dubs and Jimmy Gallagher (The Passions).

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_lala-brooks-untoned.jpg.optimal.jpgDolores “LaLa” Brooks’ voice can be heard on The Crystals’ hit songs “Then He Kissed Me” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.” Brooks will perform at Joe Nardone’s Holiday Doo-wop Extravaganza along with The Skyliners, The Classic Sounds, Larry Chance & The Earls, The Dubs and Jimmy Gallagher (The Passions). Submitted photo