Monday, April 28, 2014

Dean Torrence and The Surf City All-Stars

Special Guest Review by Patrick Ryan 

Patrick won tickets to see Dean Torrence and The Surf City All-Stars through our Forgotten Hits / Arcada Theatre Free Ticket Give-Away.

I've seen these guys before and they really put on a fun, fun, fun show ... but had to miss the concert this time around ... so PJ acted as our eyes and ears for this one ... and then filed this report:

The Jan & Dean Show with Dean Torrence And The Surf City All-Stars 
Live at The Arcada Theatre
105 E.Main St. - St. Charles, IL. 
Saturday - April 26 at 8:00 PM  
Tickets courtesy of oshows.com

Jan & Dean were a rock and roll duo popular from the late 50's through 1960's, consisting of Jan Berry and Dean Torrence. They were pioneers of the vocals "Surf Music" craze that was popularized by The Beach Boys.  Now let's take you back to 1962, driving your Chevy - top down- cruising down Highway 1 - your girl next to you - holding you tight - cool California breeze blowing though her long blonde hair! 

Now here we are, 50 years later - still driving our 1962 Chevy - top down - cruising down Rt 64 - your girl next to you - holding you tight - cool Fox River breeze blowing through her long gray hair. 

My girl and I arrive at the Arcada Theatre to listen and dance to the great "Surf Music" of Dean Torrence and The Surf City All-Stars, live in concert!   

The Surf City All-Stars open with Surfin' Safari - the Beach Boys song from 1962 - it brought back the memories of the good times of the 60's - followed by - Catch A Wave - Hawaii - Darlin' - Don't Worry, Baby and Kokomo

Man, what a band - David Logeman on Drums, Chris Farmer on Bass, Gary Griffin on Keys, Philip Bardowell on Guitar and Aaron Boering on Guitar and Keys !
     
Then, onto the stage, comes Mr. "Surf Music" himself - Dean Torrence - the fans immediately left their seats, stood and started clapping hands and dancing. 

Dean looks good for a young 74 surfer - his birthday was March 10th - Happy Birthday Dean !! 

Dean asked the audience - any Seniors in the crowd? - Dean laughed - then opened with  New Girl In School - followed by California Girls - God Only Knows - Drag City - Little Deuce Coupe - great stuff.

All of a sudden the lights went out on stage - not planned - but Dean went on with the show - with one of my all-time favorites - 409 - lights back on - Shut Down and one last song before the end of the first half of the show - I Get Around.

The second half of the show opened with I Can Hear Music - Sail On Sailor - Little Old Lady From Pasadena - Sloop John B. - Good Vibrations - Dead Man's Curve - Help Me Rhonda - Let's Dance - Do You Wanna Dance - Dance Dance Dance - Sidewalk Surfin' - Surf City - Surfin' USA - Barbara Ann before they encored with - what else - Fun Fun Fun!!!  

An absolutely Awesome Show!!! 

Thanks Dean and The Surf City All-Stars, Ron Onesti and Forgotten Hits - it was the Best of Shows!

If you didn't make it out to this show, it's a must show to see!!! 

We got back in our 1962 Chevy and drove to Surf City!!!  

Keep Surfin'!!!  

(Photos and review by PJ RYAN)

Sounds like you had a surfin' good time, PJ ... thanks for the GREAT review!

(And check out some of the cool shots he took at the theater!)



And THIS week we're giving away FIVE free pairs of tickets to see Micky Dolenz and The Cowsills ... both of whom will be appearing THIS FRIDAY NIGHT ... May 2nd ... at The Arcada Theatre ... 8:00 Show ... with a VERY special Q&A Session with Micky after the show.

You WON'T want to miss this one!!!  

Get your entry in NOW!!!  Drop us an email (at forgottenhits@aol.com) and we'll pick FIVE Winners on Wednesday to see this incredible show.  (VERY Special Thanks again ... AS ALWAYS! ... to Ron Onesti, who is certainly doing HIS part to keep this great music alive!!!)

Winners MUST be able to attend Friday's show and file a complete concert review by no later than 3 PM on Sunday (May 4th)

Good Luck!