Oldies Show Stars Set To Rock The House

When it comes to music, for some there is nothing better than the oldies. Especially here on the East End, the sounds of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s reign supreme.

As for modern music, oldies musician Stephen Caldwell said that the songs of today cannot be compared to what was on the radio in the ’50s and ’60s.

“It might be a source of entertainment, but it is not music,” Mr. Caldwell said during a telephone interview last Wednesday. “This stuff now ... Our forefathers in the sense of freedom of speech have to be turning over in their graves.”

Mr. Caldwell is an original member of The Orlons, a group popular in the early ’60s, which included Shirley Brickley, Rosetta Hightower, Marlene Davis and Mr. Caldwell. The group was best known for its hits, “Don’t Hang Up” and “Wah Watusi.” That song, which reached number two on the U.S. pop charts, was all about the group’s signature dance move, according to Mr. Caldwell.

The Orlons’ music still lives on through the current group, which is made up of Jean Brickley Maddox, Coco Muhammad, Cookie Davis and, of course, Mr. Original Orlons himself, Stephen Caldwell.

Together they are set to perform at the Southampton Lions Club’s 10th annual “Oldies Spectacular” on Saturday, August 11, at 7 p.m. in the Southampton High School Auditorium.

The Orlons will share the stage with the doo wop group The Fireflies, best known for “You Were Mine”; Lou Christie, who sang the hits “Lightning Strikes” and “The Gypsy Cried”; The Legendary Teenagers, who were best known for “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” and “Goody Goody”; and special guest, Lewis Lymon, who will be performing “Honey Honey” and “I’m So Happy.”

Oldies concerts offer communities the opportunity to go back in time and that is why the music is still so popular, according to Mr. Caldwell.

“When people hear oldies, they reminisce about what they were doing when they first heard that tune,” he said. “It’s time for them to reflect on their youth and most of them really find that it was a very important and enjoyable time in their lives.”

Paul Giacalone, an original member of The Fireflies who wrote “You Were Mine,” agreed with Mr. Caldwell about why golden oldies pull at the heartstrings.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” Mr. Giacalone said during a telephone interview last Wednesday. “A long time ago I thought the ’50s were going to die out, but they haven’t. The music is still alive and hopefully it will continue to stay alive.”

The original Fireflies members were all from Brooklyn, and spent much of the time recording their music in New York. In the 1950s, the group included Ritchie Adams, Lee Reynolds, John Viscellie and Carl Girosli. Now, the group includes Marco Gueli, Bobby Villano, Victor Puma John Savocuo and Mr. Giacalone.

According to Mr. Giacalone, the new group has not only mastered the original sound, they are very much looking forward to the upcoming concert in Southampton.

“I think the lineup is going to be fantastic,” he said. “It is like a therapy to us guys and we are having a lot of fun doing it again.”

According to Mr. Caldwell, The Orlons are looking forward to returning to Long Island, as well.

“It is always good to return to an audience that really, really enjoys the music,” he said. “This particular group of entertainers are going to come out and give the folks a dynamite show. I’m getting older, 69 years old now, and I’ve had knee surgery in both knees so traveling takes a lot out of me now. Now, it is my hobby rather than my career but let me tell you, the pain disappears the moment I’m on stage. Just making sure these people are enjoying what you’re doing and that you’re enjoying it too, takes the pain away.”

The 10th annual “Oldies Spectacular,” featuring Lou Christie, The Legendary Teenagers, The Original Orlons, The Fireflies and special guest Lewis Lymon, will be held on Saturday, August 11, at 7 p.m. at the Southampton High School. Admission is a $45 donation. For tickets and more information call 587-3565 or visit hamptons.com/doowop or larentr.com.