Vernon seniors experience birth of Rock and Roll

VERNON — The Vernon Senior Center on March 27 stepped back in time along with performer Joey G. to the tell the musical story of the 1950s and the birth and history of Rock and Roll.
“Close your eyes as we wander back to the Brooklyn Paramount in 1957. We’re all teenagers again,” G. pumped the crowd.
He expertly wove the story of the music, incorporating facts about the father of Rock and Roll Alan Freed and the various songs of the rocking era. Beginning with songs from the ultimate teenager, Joey G. sang Dion’s Why Must I be a Teenager in Love and followed with Runaround Sue.
G. remembered four teenagers from Philadelphia, Danny and the Juniors as senior music lovers danced and grooved to the song At the Hop.
He compared the similarities of a West Coast and an East Coast group. The LA group, the Penguins were similar in sound and style to New York’s Little Anthony and the Imperials.
Jokingly, singing a Duprees’ song You Belong to Me, G. requested the audience to respond with a Doo Wop lyric.
“On one, two, three or if you’re from Joisey, the Bronx or Brooklyn. It’s actually one, two, tree,” Joey G. laughed.
He continued with the Platters, who had 40 hits from 1952 to 1962 with four number one hits. Of course, he mentioned the King of Rock and Roll Elvis and even demonstrated Elvis’ famous hip action.
Joey G. concluded his program by singing Good Night Sweetheart to the sheer pleasure of the senior audience.