Northern Blair residents haven’t been disappointed with the fundraising concerts offered by the Tyrone-Snyder Public Library Board of Directors, and this year’s show should be no exception.
On Tuesday night, Chuck Banas, the board’s vice president, signed the necessary contracts to bring three “big time” performers to the Tyrone Area High School Auditorium on April 17.
In the past, the board has brought popular acts such as 1960s sensations The Marcels and Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners’. In April, another 1960s band will perform as The Vogues will take to the high school stage.
Formed in 1960, The Vogues were a four man vocal group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania. Originally calling themselves ‘The Val-Airs’, they changed their name when they were signed to the tiny Co & Ce label.
In 1965 they released a song called “You’re The One,” that quickly rose to the number 4 position on Billboard’s Hot 100. The group’s second effort, “Five O’clock World” continued the rock-folk sound and also reached number 4. This tune enjoyed a revival of sorts, when it was used as the theme to ‘The Drew Carey Show’ in the late 90’s.
The group’s next attempts, “Magic Town” and “The Land Of Milk and Honey” were not quite as successful, but still managed to edge into the top 40 in 1966.
For the next few years, The Vogues clean cut, harmony group image was out of step with the rock and roll scene and it wasn’t until they signed with Reprise Records in 1968 that they reached the charts again with a middle of the road ballad called “Turn Around, Look At Me.”
Despite sharing radio air time with increasingly harder rock, the song still managed to hit number 7 and sell over a million copies.
Staying with the lighter, more sophisticated style they loved best, The Vogues kept the hits coming when they took a cover of a 1957 Bobby Helms hit, “My Special Angel” into the Top 10 in September 1968. As they toured the club circuit, the group had two more songs reach the Top 40, “Till” and “No, Not Much.”
In addition to The Vogues, Banas said those attending will see a familiar face if they attended the last concert sponsored by the library board.
“Everybody kept asking if she was coming back,” he said. “We were totally happy when we got word that she could make it.”
Of course, Banas was talking about 10-year-old Vanessa Campagna, who rocked the high school auditorium last year to two standing ovations. Campagna was a runner-up in last season’s CBS presentation of Star Search.
Something new to this year’s event will be a comedy aspects.
Banas said Robbie Wise, a stand-up comic who has appeared all over the United States, is scheduled to perform.
“This will be comedy that’s appropriate for all ages,” said Banas.
Banas said tickets will go on sale beginning March 1. For more information, contact 684-1133 or 1-888-868-3108.
