As they are 50 years later, Nominees for 2009 Induction into The R & R Hall Of Fame!
Christian Music News Source
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Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Hall hails Little Anthony and the Imperials
Now that Little Anthony and the Imperials have a golden anniversary to go along with the gold records, the timing is right for an appearance in the South Shore Room and possible induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
For its first concert of 2009, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the South Shore Room, is bringing a group that also got its start a half-century ago.
Little Anthony and the Imperials celebrated their anniversary last year, which might have led to their being one of the nine nominees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The hall will select five this month for induction into Cleveland on April 4.
“We know it’s kind of political, and it’s not just them,” Little Anthony Gourdine said in a recent interview with the Washington Observer Reporter. “The Baseball Hall of Fame is the same way. The Football Hall of Fame is the same way. We just happened to be people where they realized it had been 50 years, and they looked at our body of work and said, ‘My gosh, they should be in.’ ”
The other nominees are Metallica, Run-DMC, the Stooges, Chic, Jeff Beck, Bobby Womack, Wanda Jackson and War.
Along with and the Dells, Little Anthony and the Imperials are the only remaining group from the doo-wop era touring with their original members, although Gourdine gets annoyed when he hears his music labeled doo-wop.
Doo-wop is vocal-based rhythm-and-blues that gained popularity in black communities beginning in the late 1930s. It peaked in the late 1950s and early ’60s, when Italian-American groups emerged. Doo-wop faded in the mid-1960s after the arrival of the British Invasion and Motown.
“When I started, it was a lot of ice cream bands, a lot of doo-wop-type sound,” Gourdine told Action in 2007. “We were in the middle of that, and we graduated from that.”
“Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop” and “Just Two Types of People in the World” were the band’s only doo-wop hits, he said.
“I love my country, but we are very well known for labeling things,” Gourdine said before his last show at Tahoe. “Like Alan Freed started calling me Little Anthony, but he’d never met me. (It was) because of my voice. People come up to me and say ‘You don’t look little.’ That’s right. I’m not.”
Gourdine’s falsetto sound helped popularize the group that had the well-known, post-doo-wop standards “Tears on My Pillow,” “Hurts So Bad,” Goin’ Out of My Head” and “I’m On The Outside Looking In.”
“You don’t last that long singing the same doo-wop song,” Gourdine said. “We consider ourselves being one of the finest recording acts. We’re not recording artists. We became performing artists. Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake are recording artists. That’s how we lasted so long.”
Clarence Collins and Ernest Wright are the other Imperials who remain from the group’s heyday. Also in the band is Harold Jenkins, the group’s choreographer, who came onstage in 1972 to replace Sammy Strain, who joined the O’Jays. (Strain later rejoined Little Anthony and the Imperials before retiring in 2004.)
In the early days, Little Anthony and the Imperials members honed their chops by playing the “chitlin’ circuit” in the segregated South and East.
“I had the great pleasure and the blessing to go out and perform on the old chitlin’ circuit, the old black circuit, where you played with people like Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson, and famous groups like the Flamingos — that’s another great doo-wop group that wasn’t a doo-wop group. I took a little from here, I took a little from there. I took a little from Sammy Davis because we were friends.”
Gourdine, who grew up in the projects in Brooklyn, knew he had arrived after meeting jazz great Miles Davis, who said he loved “Goin’ Out of My Head.”
“What a dude,” Gourdine said. “I met him at Basin Street East. I thought he was going to be one of those cats who wasn’t too up on pop music and singing groups, but he knew all about it. He knew who I was right away.”
Little Anthony and the Imperials, became regulars in the South Shore Room, which used to feature artists for week-long engagements. Gourdine has fond Tahoe memories of eating soul food prepared by Davis, singing for Liza Minnelli and hanging out with Bill Cosby.
He now lives in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerland and tours with his group in style.
“Today we go out on tour and those buses are homes on wheels,” he said. “They have kitchens and DVDs and DirecTV satellite, queen-sized bed, showers. You name it. It’s wonderful.”
Christian Music News Source
For its first concert of 2009, Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the South Shore Room, is bringing a group that also got its start a half-century ago.
Little Anthony and the Imperials celebrated their anniversary last year, which might have led to their being one of the nine nominees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The hall will select five this month for induction into Cleveland on April 4.
“We know it’s kind of political, and it’s not just them,” Little Anthony Gourdine said in a recent interview with the Washington Observer Reporter. “The Baseball Hall of Fame is the same way. The Football Hall of Fame is the same way. We just happened to be people where they realized it had been 50 years, and they looked at our body of work and said, ‘My gosh, they should be in.’ ”
The other nominees are Metallica, Run-DMC, the Stooges, Chic, Jeff Beck, Bobby Womack, Wanda Jackson and War.
Along with and the Dells, Little Anthony and the Imperials are the only remaining group from the doo-wop era touring with their original members, although Gourdine gets annoyed when he hears his music labeled doo-wop.
Doo-wop is vocal-based rhythm-and-blues that gained popularity in black communities beginning in the late 1930s. It peaked in the late 1950s and early ’60s, when Italian-American groups emerged. Doo-wop faded in the mid-1960s after the arrival of the British Invasion and Motown.
“When I started, it was a lot of ice cream bands, a lot of doo-wop-type sound,” Gourdine told Action in 2007. “We were in the middle of that, and we graduated from that.”
“Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko Ko Bop” and “Just Two Types of People in the World” were the band’s only doo-wop hits, he said.
“I love my country, but we are very well known for labeling things,” Gourdine said before his last show at Tahoe. “Like Alan Freed started calling me Little Anthony, but he’d never met me. (It was) because of my voice. People come up to me and say ‘You don’t look little.’ That’s right. I’m not.”
Gourdine’s falsetto sound helped popularize the group that had the well-known, post-doo-wop standards “Tears on My Pillow,” “Hurts So Bad,” Goin’ Out of My Head” and “I’m On The Outside Looking In.”
“You don’t last that long singing the same doo-wop song,” Gourdine said. “We consider ourselves being one of the finest recording acts. We’re not recording artists. We became performing artists. Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake are recording artists. That’s how we lasted so long.”
Clarence Collins and Ernest Wright are the other Imperials who remain from the group’s heyday. Also in the band is Harold Jenkins, the group’s choreographer, who came onstage in 1972 to replace Sammy Strain, who joined the O’Jays. (Strain later rejoined Little Anthony and the Imperials before retiring in 2004.)
In the early days, Little Anthony and the Imperials members honed their chops by playing the “chitlin’ circuit” in the segregated South and East.
“I had the great pleasure and the blessing to go out and perform on the old chitlin’ circuit, the old black circuit, where you played with people like Moms Mabley, Redd Foxx, Flip Wilson, and famous groups like the Flamingos — that’s another great doo-wop group that wasn’t a doo-wop group. I took a little from here, I took a little from there. I took a little from Sammy Davis because we were friends.”
Gourdine, who grew up in the projects in Brooklyn, knew he had arrived after meeting jazz great Miles Davis, who said he loved “Goin’ Out of My Head.”
“What a dude,” Gourdine said. “I met him at Basin Street East. I thought he was going to be one of those cats who wasn’t too up on pop music and singing groups, but he knew all about it. He knew who I was right away.”
Little Anthony and the Imperials, became regulars in the South Shore Room, which used to feature artists for week-long engagements. Gourdine has fond Tahoe memories of eating soul food prepared by Davis, singing for Liza Minnelli and hanging out with Bill Cosby.
He now lives in the Las Vegas suburb of Summerland and tours with his group in style.
“Today we go out on tour and those buses are homes on wheels,” he said. “They have kitchens and DVDs and DirecTV satellite, queen-sized bed, showers. You name it. It’s wonderful.”
Christian Music News Source
Little Anthony keeps thinking big
The inductees for the 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will be announced next month, some four months after the release of the nominations, but Little Anthony isn't among those sitting around fretting over his chances.
In fact, in a recent interview, the singer couldn't even say who was nominated or how many would get in.
He'll tell you that after 50 years in the music business, he's more concerned with taking care of his own business than worrying about what other people think of him, what awards he's getting or what labels they're putting on his music.
At 68, Anthony Gourdine has seen it all and done it all at this point.
He and the Imperials formed in Brooklyn and came to fame with their very first single, "Tears on My Pillow," which became a No. 4 hit in 1958 and still stands as one of the classic heartbreak ballads of the era. Rather than fade away like so many of the late '50s groups, the Imperials hit the charts again in the '60s with the more modern "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad."
Little Anthony branched off solo at various points, and members came and went, but five decades going, the Imperials are still touring with three original members - Little Anthony, Ernest Wright and Clarence Collins - at a time when some of the oldies groups don't even have one.
Q: So, how did you get Little in front of your name?
A: It was Alan Freed in 1958. The legend says that one of the promoters came in and played the record on WINS, on his show, and he was the biggest disc jockey on the planet at that time. And he said, "Great stuff, who's the girl?" And (the promoter) said, "That's not a girl; that's a guy." He said, "Man, he must be little," and he just said "Little Anthony." So it became Little Anthony and the Imperials. In fact, the first record we put out was "The Imperials." They had to recall thousands of records 'cause it said the Imperials.
Q: But your career may have been completely different if he hadn't done that, right?
A: Well, what it would have done would have clarified that I wasn't little. That's what it would have done and saved a lot of pain as I went through in this business. People start thinking that you're this mindless little elf that happens to be talented.
Q: When you first heard "Tears on My Pillow," did you think it was going to be that big of a hit?
A: Nope. The song we had was "Two People in the World," that Ernest wrote. It was the one that got us the record deal when we went down there to audition. In those days, you had a little 45 with two sides, so we had to do another song. We did several songs, which just did not please George Goldner, who was the president of End Records. He said, "There's a song I like. I'd like you to listen to it. I think we're going to go back in the studio and record it." And that was "Tears on My Pillow." It was hastily done. I learned it quick. The melody stayed in my head very quickly and then I read the words off the lead sheet, and the guys in the back room had to come up with a background and they didn't know what to do 'cause we had to record it that day so they took the background of the Penguins' "Earth Angel." People would listen to "Earth Angel" and "Tears on My Pillow" - same background.
Q: What was your reaction to being nominated for the Rock and Hall of Fame? I guess you waited a long time.
A: You know what? We never waited. And you probably say, "Oh, he's jivin'" But we never discussed it. We felt that we were fulfilling what our destiny was. There are a lot of people in that Hall of Fame that ain't performing anymore. We reached a pinnacle in our career where we were working at some of the finest places in the world, from Vegas to Lake Tahoe, all the biggest rooms. It was almost to us like, I don't know how they decide who gets to be in the Hall of Fame, but we realize that the only thing we had to do was to be better - better performers. People like Billy Joel, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, those were the people who were really lobbying for us. We don't have any power.
Christian Music News Source
In fact, in a recent interview, the singer couldn't even say who was nominated or how many would get in.
He'll tell you that after 50 years in the music business, he's more concerned with taking care of his own business than worrying about what other people think of him, what awards he's getting or what labels they're putting on his music.
At 68, Anthony Gourdine has seen it all and done it all at this point.
He and the Imperials formed in Brooklyn and came to fame with their very first single, "Tears on My Pillow," which became a No. 4 hit in 1958 and still stands as one of the classic heartbreak ballads of the era. Rather than fade away like so many of the late '50s groups, the Imperials hit the charts again in the '60s with the more modern "Goin' Out of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad."
Little Anthony branched off solo at various points, and members came and went, but five decades going, the Imperials are still touring with three original members - Little Anthony, Ernest Wright and Clarence Collins - at a time when some of the oldies groups don't even have one.
Q: So, how did you get Little in front of your name?
A: It was Alan Freed in 1958. The legend says that one of the promoters came in and played the record on WINS, on his show, and he was the biggest disc jockey on the planet at that time. And he said, "Great stuff, who's the girl?" And (the promoter) said, "That's not a girl; that's a guy." He said, "Man, he must be little," and he just said "Little Anthony." So it became Little Anthony and the Imperials. In fact, the first record we put out was "The Imperials." They had to recall thousands of records 'cause it said the Imperials.
Q: But your career may have been completely different if he hadn't done that, right?
A: Well, what it would have done would have clarified that I wasn't little. That's what it would have done and saved a lot of pain as I went through in this business. People start thinking that you're this mindless little elf that happens to be talented.
Q: When you first heard "Tears on My Pillow," did you think it was going to be that big of a hit?
A: Nope. The song we had was "Two People in the World," that Ernest wrote. It was the one that got us the record deal when we went down there to audition. In those days, you had a little 45 with two sides, so we had to do another song. We did several songs, which just did not please George Goldner, who was the president of End Records. He said, "There's a song I like. I'd like you to listen to it. I think we're going to go back in the studio and record it." And that was "Tears on My Pillow." It was hastily done. I learned it quick. The melody stayed in my head very quickly and then I read the words off the lead sheet, and the guys in the back room had to come up with a background and they didn't know what to do 'cause we had to record it that day so they took the background of the Penguins' "Earth Angel." People would listen to "Earth Angel" and "Tears on My Pillow" - same background.
Q: What was your reaction to being nominated for the Rock and Hall of Fame? I guess you waited a long time.
A: You know what? We never waited. And you probably say, "Oh, he's jivin'" But we never discussed it. We felt that we were fulfilling what our destiny was. There are a lot of people in that Hall of Fame that ain't performing anymore. We reached a pinnacle in our career where we were working at some of the finest places in the world, from Vegas to Lake Tahoe, all the biggest rooms. It was almost to us like, I don't know how they decide who gets to be in the Hall of Fame, but we realize that the only thing we had to do was to be better - better performers. People like Billy Joel, Paul Shaffer, Paul Simon, those were the people who were really lobbying for us. We don't have any power.
Christian Music News Source
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Casino guide
Other casino entertainment in the Reno-Tahoe area:
Atlantis, Reno – Grand Ballroom: Poco, Pure Prairie League and Firefall, Jan. 17 and 18. (800) 723-6500.
Carson Valley Inn – Cabaret Lounge: M8Trix, Today; Shake, Rattle and Roll, Monday-next Sunday; Major Link, Jan. 5-12; Red Hot Smokin' Aces, Jan. 13-18. (775) 782-9711.
Eldorado, Reno – Showroom: Holiday Ice Spectacular through next Sunday. Brew Brothers: Steel Breeze, Wednesday. BuBinga Lounge: DJ David Aaron, Wednesday. Casino Cabaret: Stiletto, Wednesday. Roxy's Bar and Lounge: Bob Reynon and Stan Prentice, Wednesday. Cin Cin Bar and Lounge: Gil Thomas, Wednesdays-Sundays, continuing. (800) 648-5966.
Harrah's Lake Tahoe – South Shore Room: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Saturday: The Outlaws, Jan. 10; Dave Mason, Jan. 17; Marc Broussard, Jan. 18. (800) 427-7247.
Harveys, Lake Tahoe – Improv: Steve White, John DiResta, today; Thea Vidale, Graham Elwood, Tuesday-next Sunday; John Caponera, Frances Dilorinzo, Jan. 6-11; Rondell Sheridan, David Gee, Jan. 13-18. (800) 427-8397.
Peppermill, Reno – Terrace Lounge: Major Link, Wednesday-next Sunday. (800) 648-6992.
Silver Legacy, Reno – Grande Exposition Hall: Josh Blue and Kathleen Madigan, Monday; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Tuesday; Aaron Lewis, Jan. 9. (800) 687-8733.
Christian Music News Source
Atlantis, Reno – Grand Ballroom: Poco, Pure Prairie League and Firefall, Jan. 17 and 18. (800) 723-6500.
Carson Valley Inn – Cabaret Lounge: M8Trix, Today; Shake, Rattle and Roll, Monday-next Sunday; Major Link, Jan. 5-12; Red Hot Smokin' Aces, Jan. 13-18. (775) 782-9711.
Eldorado, Reno – Showroom: Holiday Ice Spectacular through next Sunday. Brew Brothers: Steel Breeze, Wednesday. BuBinga Lounge: DJ David Aaron, Wednesday. Casino Cabaret: Stiletto, Wednesday. Roxy's Bar and Lounge: Bob Reynon and Stan Prentice, Wednesday. Cin Cin Bar and Lounge: Gil Thomas, Wednesdays-Sundays, continuing. (800) 648-5966.
Harrah's Lake Tahoe – South Shore Room: Little Anthony and the Imperials, Saturday: The Outlaws, Jan. 10; Dave Mason, Jan. 17; Marc Broussard, Jan. 18. (800) 427-7247.
Harveys, Lake Tahoe – Improv: Steve White, John DiResta, today; Thea Vidale, Graham Elwood, Tuesday-next Sunday; John Caponera, Frances Dilorinzo, Jan. 6-11; Rondell Sheridan, David Gee, Jan. 13-18. (800) 427-8397.
Peppermill, Reno – Terrace Lounge: Major Link, Wednesday-next Sunday. (800) 648-6992.
Silver Legacy, Reno – Grande Exposition Hall: Josh Blue and Kathleen Madigan, Monday; Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Tuesday; Aaron Lewis, Jan. 9. (800) 687-8733.
Christian Music News Source
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