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WILKES-BARRE — A doo-wop show at the F.M. Kirby Center drew nearly 1,400 on Saturday night to twist, shout and sing along to sounds of the ’60s and ’70s.
The crowd rose to their feet several times as the Platters, who opened the show, performed such hits as “Only You,” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” with the Duprees following them to the stage, wowing attendees with such hits as “You Belong to Me” and “My Only True Love.”
For many, however, the centerpiece of the night was Chubby Checker, who at 72 still had the moves and the sound that brought people to their feet, with some even dancing in the aisle.
Checker was not reluctant to leave the stage to share the beat with members of the audience.
To Jack Conklin, the musicians seemed like old friends, as he gave voice to almost every word of every song throughout the night.
“I used to go to the Apollo theater in Harlem to hear them,” he said, smiling. “The members have changed over time, but the sound is still wonderful.”
His daughter, Sandy Knouse, had seen an advertisement for the show and immediately asked her father if he wanted to go.
Knouse remembered growing up with friends whose parents let them listen to contemporary music in the car.
“Not us, we listened to this kind of music,” she said. “And now I’m so grateful for that. I love it.”
When the Platters, going outside their expected playlist, sang “YMCA,” Conklin followed along with the hand motions.
When they asked all U.S. veterans to stand and followed with “God Bless the U.S.A.,” many eyes filled with tears and audience members rose to their feet.
Joe Tutino called the bands “legendary,” saying they paralleled the evolution of American music.
Of Checker, he said, “He’s 72 and he’s still got it. All the bands still have those wonderful quality voices still.”
To Eddie Day Pashinski, the evening was a reflection of his personal history.
He remembers performing backup for Checker at Hanson’s at Harveys Lake in the 1960s.
“We still have the original contract,” he said. “That’s really something to see.”
Pashinski, a state representative, left politics behind on Saturday night.
“Music is my therapy,” said Pashinski, who is also a former music teacher.
Pashinski and his band The Starfires have been performing together for over 50 years, something which Pashinski called a great blessing.
He looked forward to Checker signing a vintage photo of him and the band after the show.
Although most attendees were from the Wyoming Valley, several buses came in from outside the area.
Cookie Rhodes, of Elysburg, said she and a group of friends had made the trip because of their love for doo-wop, especially the Platters.
“I know I’ll get home after midnight, but I’m so glad I came,” Rhodes said. “I’m hoping to get a few autographs.”
Tony Testa, vocalist for the Duprees, said the night was a great chance to celebrate music and to come together to remember a bygone era.
Promoter Joe Nardone said the doo-wop shows he’s brought to the Wyoming Valley have historically been very successful, bringing the community together to appreciate the sounds of a bygone era.
“People of all ages come out to appreciate the music,” said Nardone, who has run the events for over 10 years. “It’s always a very popular event.”
