The Hit Men bring concert tour to Tibbits
COLDWATER – (1/3/14) The Hit Men featuring the former stars of the hit-making factory known as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons come to Tibbits Saturday, January 25 for one outstanding performance.
Simon, Elton John, Jim Croce, Paul McCartney); Russ Velazquez
(The Ramones, LL Cool J, Chicago); Lee Shapiro (Four Seasons,
Barry Manilow, The Shondells); Larry Gates (Bon Jovi, Carole
King, Phoebe Snow); Gerry Polci (Barry Manilow, Four Seasons
and lead vocalist on “Oh What a Night”)
Gerry Polci and Lee Shapiro may not be household names but back in the 70s, audiences bought all of their records, heard them on the radio, saw them on TV and went to their concerts. They toured the world with Frankie Valli, recorded numerous hit albums with him and sang the lead vocals on songs like “Oh What a Night” – the biggest Seasons hit of all time.
When they met in 1973, they were two boys from New Jersey barely out of their teens, and the Four Seasons hadn’t had a charted hit record in years. Along with Valli and songwrit-er /producer Bob Gaudio, Polci and Shapiro successfully transitioned the group’s sound from ‘60s doo-wop to ‘70s pop with mega-hit songs like “Who Loves You” and “Oh What a Night.”
Spurred by the runaway success of “Jersey Boys,” the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical based on the Four Seasons’ career, these former Seasons, who are now in their late 50s and early 60s, decided to re-unite – along with an A-list group of musicians who wrote, recorded and performed with Tommy James and the Shondells, Carly Simon, Cat Stevens, Elton John, Jim Croce, Chicago, Luther Vandross, The Ramones, Carole King, and other mega-star acts of the era.
The Hit Men takes an amazing look back through rock and roll history, including fascinating back stories of what it was like being on the road and in the recording studios with all of those great performers and all of those amazing hits. The Hit Men perform many of the great songs from the Four Seasons songbook from “Rag Doll,” “Dawn,” and “Walk Like a Man,” to “Can’t Take My Eyes Of You,” “Marianne” and “Sherry.” The show also features other mega hits made famous by members of The Hit Men including Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train,” Jim Croce’s “Leroy Brown,” Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain” and Tommy James’ “Mony Mony.”
According to Shapiro, music director and former Four Seasons member, “This show is a chance for everyone to relive the glory days of rock and roll with a great group of guys who actually lived and breathed the experience.” He adds, “You’ll walk out of the theatre exhilarated, excited and wanting more. We guarantee it.”
Tibbits Opera House will host The Hit Men for one night only – at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25. Tickets are $40, $35 for Tibbits members, $15 for students and $10 for upper balcony. The event will feature a cash bar serving beer and wine. Tickets are available at the business office at 93 West Chicago St., or by phone at 517.278.6029. Tickets will be available on line at www.Tibbits.org starting January 15 through January 24.
The performance from The Hit Men is part of the Tibbits Entertainment Series and its commitment to providing quality entertainment all year.
About Tibbits Opera House
Performance is held in the Tibbits Opera House 14 South Hanchett Street, Coldwater, Mich. The historic theatre features an intimate setting and outstanding acoustics. For more information call 517.278.6029 or visit www.Tibbits.org.
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