The band known for hits such as "Blue Moon" is coming to Wrightsville, Pa.
The Marcels, the Shades of Blue and the Glen Raby Orchestra will appear at The White Swan Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m.
Walt Maddox, band manager and original member of The Marcels, is excited for the performance because of the great response The Marcels received at a previous White Swan Ballroom appearance, he said.
Article Photos
The Marcels, featuring Jules Hopson, Kenny Mitchell, Richard Harris and Ted “Reno” Smith, will appear at the White Swan Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 10, at 8 p.m.
"The people are just great (at the White Swan Ballroom), and (owner) Chuck (Stroud) is a good guy to work for," said Maddox. "In some places you get a more receptive crowd than you do at others, and people were so into the music that it makes you feel good working for them."
Maddox has been with The Marcels since 1961, and being with the band has brought him days that he will never forget, he said.
"Music has been my life," said Maddox. "When you've been doing it for this many years it's kind of hard to get out of it. As a matter of fact, this is a business that you've got to love it or you've got to get out of it."
The times have changed since Maddox first joined The Marcels, but people still love the music, he said. That's why the band recently released the new album "High School Memories," which features a new rendition of The Marcel's classic hit "Blue Moon" as well as new hits such as "No Love Left."
"Our promoter said so many of our songs are fast, and that we'd really kill them if we did a medley of slow songs," said Maddox. "So, 'High School Memories' is a result of the time when girls sat on one side and the boys sat on the other. It takes you down memory lane. And, no price is ever too great to pay for your memories."
Although Maddox is the only remaining original member of the group, the new members were selected for their talent, he said.
"I wanted it to be a group of entertainers rather than singers," said Maddox. "We like to do something old and something new. So, every album that we do, we look at what old songs we can add. Because people like to pick up a CD to look at the back and see what they recognize."
According to Maddox, more than 6,000 copies of the new album have been sold, and people seem to come to hear "High School Memories" more than they do for "Blue Moon."
In addition to performing classics such as "Goodbye to Love," "Heartaches," "Summertime" and "You Are My Sunshine," The Marcels will also do a "A Salute to Jukebox Giants."
"We did a Jukebox Giants show in Las Vegas, and after the show folded, I thought it would be an interesting way to interpret songs by other artists," said Maddox. "We have the ability to sound like any group that we attempt to do. So, it's kind of a salute to The Drifters, The Coasters, The Temptations and more."
The Marcels were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame of Sharon, Pa., in 2002, and also to the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame of America in Boston in 2009.
"It's a big deal to be picked by your peers to be in any hall of fame," said Maddox.
The show will include two hour-long sets with a short intermission. The Marcels will perform for an hour, in addition to the Shades of Blue. The Shades of Blue topped the charts with the song, "Oh How Happy," in 1966. After reforming in 2003, the band has been touring together. Both bands will be backed by The Glen Raby Orchestra.
"Glen is excellent, he and the orchestra come on tours with the band a lot," said Maddox.
Admission is $25, but no tickets will be sold at the door. Advance purchases can be made by calling Chuck Stroud at 814-489-3492. Attendees are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages, and complimentary ice and glasses will be available. Plus, roast beef sandwiches and soda will be sold. A dance floor will also be available.
To find the White Swan Ballroom from Jamestown, drive to Sugar Grove, Pa., take Route 957 west to Lottsville, Pa., and make a left onto Route 958. Take 958 south for 3 miles, and the venue will be on the left. The drive from Sugar Grove to Wrightsville is approximately 9 miles. The address is 900 Route 958 in Wrightsville.