A legendary member of the iconic rhythm and blues group The Supremes; one of the most familiar falsetto voices of all time; a pioneering R&B group from the early 1950s; and a group that is still credited with one of the greatest pop ballads ever.
Led by Mary Wilson of the Supremes and fellow 2016 Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame inductee Eddie Holman, all will be part of a star-studded lineup of rhythm and blues and doo-wop musicians from the past that will bring their hits to life once again at “Legends of R&B and Doo Wop.” The show is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Highlander Auditorium in Upland.
The blockbuster trip down memory lane will also spotlight The Original Tymes and Harold Winley and The Clovers in a showcase of some of the greatest R&B and doo-wop musicians of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.
Wilson’s musical journey began in the 1950s as a Detroit teen, when she and school friend Florence Ballard joined the quartet, The Primettes, along with neighbor Diana Ross. The group became a trio and changed its name to The Supremes, setting the stage for one of the most successful singing groups in history. “Where Did Our Love Go” reached No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts in 1964, followed by five consecutive No. 1 hits: “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop In the Name of Love,” and “Back in My Arms Again.”
Vocalist extraordinaire Holman’s falsetto voice is on the love song “Hey There Lonely Girl” is one of the most unforgettable pieces of music of the 1970s. His career began as a child and eventually blossomed during his teen years, eventually giving birth to hit songs “This Can’t Be True, Girl,” “Don’t Stop Now,” “This Can’t Be True” and “Since I Don’t Have You.”
With a combination of vocal group styling with jump blues, gospel and swing, The Clovers were one of the earliest and most important R&B singing groups of the 1950s. Between 1950 and 1959, they had more hits than any other singing group, including three No. 1 hits on the R&B charts, four No. 2 hits and 11 other top 10 hits. “Love Potion No. 9” was the group’s biggest hit; its first No. 1 song was “Don’t You Know I Love You.” The Clovers’ list of hits includes “Lovey Dovey,” “Blue Velvet,” “Devil or Angel” and “Love, Love, Love.”
The Tymes’ recording of “So Much In Love,” a No. 1 Billboard hit in 1963, is considered by many to be one of the greatest pop ballads of all time. Their other most requested chart toppers include “Wonderful Wonderful,” “Somewhere,” and “Trustmaker.” Today known as “The Original Tymes,” the group was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2005.
Presented by Affordable Music Productions, tickets are available at www.affordablemusicproductions.com or by calling 1-888-718-4253. Tickets are $49, $59, $69, $79 and $89. There are no service fees and parking is free.
Highlander Auditorium is located at 850 N. San Antonio Avenue (at Foothill Boulevard) in Upland.
For more information, contact Don Goethals at (951) 317-2155or [email protected].