CONCERT REVIEW- HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR

- Lots of fun memories last night at the American Music Theater in Lancaster  seeing the Happy Together Tour- six bands from the 60s.

The Lancaster theater is beautiful and extremely accessible. The show was sold-out. Age group was mostly older adults, 60 and higher. Did see a few kids there, probably parents or grandparents trying to teach the youngsters what "good music" is all about ( unlike the horrible rap of today).

The first band to appear was the Cowsills. I expected the least from the  Cowsills, but they were energetic and fun. Best song of their five-song set was the finale, "Hair."  Still have great harmonies.  Hard to believe they were only kids when they became famous ( the model for The Partridge Family). Susan Cowsill still is cute, with her bellbottom jeans. The two remaining guys have gray hair  (or no hair at all). Other then the "knee replacements" they seem fairly healthy- unlike others on the bill.

Second up was Mark Lindsey from the band Paul Revere and the Raiders. Again more energy. Out of his five songs I knew four. Surprised to find out that "Indian Reservation" was Columbia Records highest-selling single until Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean." "Kicks" was the best song, as Lindsey donned his old light blue  colonial jacket ( maybe the original?).

Closing the first act was The Association. Only three members of the group survive. Their harmonies were OK for guys in their 70s. Their songs are timeless love songs, such as "Windy.". "Cherish", and "Never My Love." They were funny and down-to earth , mentioning that it's a "humbling experience" to bring in their merchandise- cds, pictures, books- to sell in the lobby, but even more humbling to drag it back into the trucks afterwards.

A brief 20 minute intermission followed- for both the acts and the audience, as the music was coming fast and furious.

Act II began with the silky-smooth voice of Gary Puckett ( minus The Union Gap). Well, used to be silky-smooth. Puckett's voice isn't what it used to be as he strained to hit notes. But like everyone in the show, he's earnest, friendly, humble and tries hard to please. His mellow songs are impressive when listed- "Lady Willpower", " Woman, Woman." "Young Girl", among others.

 One touching moment was when Puckett recognized a fan sitting on the side of the first row, a girl in a wheelchair. He stepped off the stage after the first song, went over to the girl, said a few words and hugged her, then returned to the stage- all without missing a beat. After his set was over, Puckett was seen again giving her one last hug before departing off-stage. Classy move! First time I've ever seen an entertainer not just acknowledge a fan, but actually leave the stage for a moment to said hello in a very personal, special way.

Chuck Negron from Three Dog Night rocked. He looked in good shape, one of the few  still with dark hair. Looking closer, Negron had an oxygen tube running form his nose down his back and off-stage. A product of a really rough lifestyle- sex, drugs and rock n' roll- plus who knows what else?In fact, Negron commented "If I had known I was gonna live so long i would've taken care of myself better."

His was an energetic set, featuring "Eli's Coming", " Mama Told Me Not To Come", "One ( is the Loneliest Number)" and the rip-roaring closer "Joy To The World." Negron tried some humor and small talk in-between each song, probably to give himself a break, and he finally ventured away from the mic stand during the final tune.

Last but not least were The Turtles. Only there was a lone Turtle. Mark did not make the tour, battling hear problems and back issues. Flo was there, but his voice is pretty well shot and he appears white and pasty from a fight against cancer ( which he claims he has won). Filling in was the youthful-looking, fun Ron Dante, lead singer of the cartoon band The Archies and successful producer of early Barry Manilow albums.

Great songs like "She'd Rather be With Me", "You Showed Me", "It Ain't me Babe"< "Elenore" and the classic "Happy Together " followed.  Dante sang his hear tout and the vocals closely resembled those on record.

The grand finale was a brief snippet of songs from each artist, as everyone joined The Turtles on stage.  Magical moment, seeing all that talent and sharing all those memories together at the same time.

Videos accompanied each artist on large screens and the back-up band was great, seasoned session musicians.

All in all, it was a really fun 3 hours of nostalgia and great music, the likes we will never hear again. One wonders how long the happy Together tour will go now, with the Turtles' health poor. Hopefully someone will pick up the ball and continue the special show. On the whole, acts from the 60s can't go on forever, so cherish the concept as long as you can- the original artists singing their original classic songs every summer.