Ramapo music lovers
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- February
- 1
It’s never too early to plan for your Fourth of July festivities, or, as they’re referred to in Ramapo, the Celebration of Liberty and Pride Event.
So, the Town Board on Jan. 23 made its musical pick for the occasion, a program regularly held at Rockland Community College.
Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes got the nod from the rockin’ Town Board to the tune of $17,500, a price including an opening band plus a 90-minute show.
Four others were also on the board’s list: Hermins Herman’s Hermits with Peter Noone, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees fame, the Surf City Allstars with Dean Torrance, the surviving half of the Jan and Dean surfing music duo, and The Happenings – “I got Rhythm” and “Go Away Little Girl.”
Looking at this only from a musical perspective, did the board make the right pick?
This entry was posted
on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pm by James Walsh.
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They made a HUGE mistake not booking Peter Noone/Herman's Hermits! Peter's shows are OUTSTANDING!
Just take a look at Pollstar…Johnny has 5 shows booked all year..
Peter has over 50.. No contest!
Sorry for them
I agree 100% that it was the wrong pick! Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone is the very best entertainment I have seen in a very long time.
In my opinion the board should have done their homework a bit better. WOW, that just surprises me that any informed venue would even consider Southside Johnny over Peter Noone.
Good luck with your choice.
Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone performed at 82 cities in 2007 with some of those being multiple days. At each and every one of those, people of ALL ages filled the venues! The audiences were elated and singing along with the band. Every heartbeat was in unison. Anyone walking away after a Herman's Hermits concert KNOWS they have been entertained! Should they have chosen Herman's Hermits? YES!
I'll take Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone over South Side Johnny anytime. You blew it BIG TIME! Thumbs down. I'll give you a thumbs up when you get Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone.
I have seen Southside, Peter Noone and Micky Dolenz.
No comparison – Peter Noone wins easily!
Peter was on American Idol as a guest mentor last spring and performed his hit There's a Kind of Hush. Don't think you will be seeing Southside in front of 50 million viewers anytime soon!
Southside Johnny? Never heard of them. How could they be picked over multi-million seller artists? Peter Noone on the other hand… demand for tickets for his shows is often months before they go on sale and the good seats always go quickly. Hopefully for Ramapo, they'll be available for the festival next year.
Southside Johnny?? Who???? Peter Noone I've heard of. Best Entertainment for families I've seen!
Definately BIG MISTAKE! Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone would of rocked on the 4th of July. They put on a fabulous show!
Let's see. You passed over Herman's Hermit, (Not Hermins Hermits) starring Peter Noone, Micky Dolenz, and Surf City Assstars for Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes?? Good luck filling seats! By the way, you should attend a Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone concert. Just for research. Then you can post your thoughts.
To be fair, I actually know Southside Johnny's music as I am originally from NJ. They are as south Jersey as ole Bruce Springstein and many good memories come to mind. However, my loyalties remain with Herman's Hermits (starring Peter Noone) as they were an important part of my past and besides, HH sold over 12 million records. Why not consider having SS Johnny as an opening act for the Hermits. The crowd might be enormous as well as interesting!
The correct spelling is Herman's Hermits and Monkees. Peter Noone and Micky Dolenz have active websites and tour often. Micky has been on Broadway in Aida and toured with Pippin recently. Peter is a great showman and fine singer.
I would think Shoe Suede Blues with Peter Tork over Southside Johnny would be a better option too. I can only think of two songs by Southside Johnny but ten plus for
ANY of HH or Monkees or SSB.
Check out their websites all active and fun!
Try for the Moody Blues in the future too, excellent shows and they are touring all around the US and Europe again this year! I saw them twice last year and they sold out Radio City Music Hall!
Fellow Ex Monkee Davy Jones tours often and has entertained with the Flower Power shows in Disney's EPCOT for years!
I haven't seen Southside Johhny… but have Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone quite a few times and they're truly awesome!! I'll be seeing them again next month in FL and live in MO, if that tells you anything at all.
I have seen Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone at least 20 times and I want more. I feel Peter Noone is great family entertainment Peter is so kind to the children when they are at his concerts. I have nothing against Southside Johnny And The Asbury Jukes but I feel Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone whould have been a better choice. I have been a fan of Peter Noone for 6 years just renewed my membership in his fan club for the 5th year that should say something.
Absolutely NOT!! Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone would have been the best pick. Although I am a Peter Noone fan and have been to many of his concerts, I have heard over and over by people who have seen him for the first time that his show the BEST show they had ever seen! Peter is an awesome entertainer that the whole family will enjoy. I have yet to see anyone come close to the quality of his performances.
Who is Southside Johnny anyway?
Boy you made a big mistake not picking Hermans Hermits starring Peter Noone!!!! All I can say is you get what you pay for! I know the kind of show you get with Peter Noone and it is good family entertainment. Southside Johnny who is this anyway???
Peter Noone should certainly be a part of your radio station. Who says that those of us who have already paid off our houses, put the kids through college and now have a bit of extra cash would not buy the products that your station advertises. It seems to me that it is a smart move to keep us happy instead of the "younger" generation who are not as well off financially.
Herman's Hermits plays all over the world and all over this country. Who is listening if not us? I'd rather listen to Herman's Hermits then anyone! The music is fun, fine and I am a fan! Let the kids and the grands listen to him. I promise you will NEVER hear anything inapporpriate come out of his mouth.
I have seen all the groups that were being discussed and I have to agree that Peter Noone and Micky Dolenz are better. Look at it this way, when they book Peter next year the crowd will really see what they missed out on this year. Good things and people always rise to the top and that is where Peter and the boys are. Need I say more?
Excellent choice!! These people don't know Southside Johnny? Where on earth are they coming from? Even in Europe they know them and love them!! Man, this crowd needs to be Juked big time!!
Wow lots of negative Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes postings. Mostly from people stating that they don't even know who they are. Being old is probably a major requirement for favoring the likes of Herman's Hermits and the Monkeys over a band from the tri-state area that's also been playing ORIGINAL material for over 30 years themselves. Sometimes refered to as the "Greatest Bar Band In The World" the Jukes have released a new albumn and another CD featuring Tom Waits songs will be coming out very soon. A mistake ? I think if you were to even go to this show you would be pleasantly surprized at the quality and energy of their music and spirit. They have a very loyal following including Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi as well as many other NJ musicians the likes of whom define the Jersy Shore music scene, but what do they know about a "musical perspective" ? "Ignorance is bliss"
hey James I've got another quick comment – Why don't you tell all of us => What band's concert did you last spend your hard earned dollars to attend and what was the year of that concert. And Then … looking at that from a "musical perspective" we can all dicuss if you made "the right pick"
Hi there,
I've seen Herman's Hermits and the Monkees, and I've seen the Jukes. (Disclaimer: I've seen the Jukes a lot and the other bands only a couple of times.) I don't think you can call it a mistake if you've never seen them. They do plenty of fun shows for all kinds of crowds, and I'm looking forward to the Ramapo show this summer, too. I grew up nearby (Ridgewood, NJ) and the Jukes have always been big in the area, so I'm kind of surprised by the commenters who say they've never heard of the band, but come on out and see what you're missing.
Southside Johnny and the Jukes are alive and well!! and with quite a loyal following on the east coast and abroad…..selling out venues like BBKings in NYC and the RamsHead Tavern in Annapolis regularly….No two shows are the same, and ya gotta be dead to not be moved by their music. The old songs are there, but they also had several CDs put out in the past 5 years with fantastic original songs and covers. To be fair, I've never been tempted to see Peter Noone live (at least not in the past 30 years)....but have seen Southside about 40 times in the past decade, and if I'm lucky will be at the Community College for the 4th…..(Usually catch him at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, on or near the 4th) GLAD you booked them…..and I don't think you'll be disappointed!!! Get some CDs or go on the website…..www.southsidejohnny.com….!!
OUCH! Just rereading some of the earlier comments….a HUGE correction to Nanci…...Southside Johnny booked 66 shows in 2006, and 70 in 2007!! I do believe he took a decade off (sometime in the 80s into the mid-90's)...but has been going strong recently….Again,the website lists shows from the past 5 years, with setlists…Looking forward to the 4th!
I have seen Southside Johnny and the Jukes dozens of times in the past few years and they always put on a great show that gets the audience up and dancing. I have brought my toddler to twenties nieces and nephews to see the band and now they are loyal fans as well. Congrats to the Town Board for picking a locally based and still musically active band over an oldies show. Rockland will be rockin!
I too have seen both Southside Johnny and Peter Noone, and I am very glad to hear it is the Jukes who will be playing at Ramapo this 4th of July.
Jackie Sheehan said: "Being old is probably a major requirement for favoring the likes of Herman's Hermits and the Monkeys over a band from the tri-state area that's also been playing ORIGINAL material for over 30 years themselves."
Why do you think these people are old? These bands have a HUGE teen and young adult fan base! Not just in your tri-state area, but all over the world! Thousands of people can't be all wrong.
And also "...but what do they know about a "musical perspective" ? 'Ignorance is bliss'"
Peter Noone and his band were bigger than the Beatles at one time. Peter has performed on Broadway, in lots of television shows, (Including his own show on VH1) made 2 movies and had a cameo in a third, Was on American Idol, and sings a VARIETY of different styles of music – not just one style. He also does great imitations of other artists, and is quite a commedienne. With him, you get a variety of entertainment in just one show! And this is just ONE of the greats that were turned down They all have 40 plus years of experience and their voices are WONDERFULLY well-seasoned. And by the way…"Monkees" is not spelled with a "Y". You didn't do you homework and haven't done any research. Are you still feeling blissful?
Oooh I see, Peter Noone is an actor… Well, I prefer a real natural talent singer like Southside Johnny!! Blues, jazz, soul or pure rock (British or American), for the Asbury Jukes it doesn't matter, they can do it all!!
A problem filling the seats? Don't worry, you don't need seats with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes: everybody dance!!
So like I said before excellent choice!
PS Jackie – No one here has anything against Southside Johnny or the Jukes! I'm sure they are very good and they have done nothibng wrong! We are just answering the question "Did we make a mistake?" with our opinions! You need to accept the fact that everyone is not going to agree with you all the time and learn to not insult people who disagree with you.
(Made a typo – that's "nothing.)
I saw Peter Noone on American Idol. It made me sad to hear him, and based on that performance, I think Rockland made the right choice. I'll try to make it to the see the Jukes on the 4th of July. But I'll leave Peter to his fans.
Why did it make you sad to see Peter Noone on Idol? He wasn't trying out for pete's sake! Maybe you are unimformed about the fact that Peter's fans travel far and wide to see him. I myself have gone to see him in New York, England (5 cities), Canada AND Ramshead Tavern where his does 2 sold out shows at least once a year. I've seen him perform at over 125 shows all over this country as well. I've also seen Micky Dolenz and Jan and Dean several times. So I guess that makes me old.
I guess if you want the big band sound, you go with the Jukes. But personally, I would want some memorable, feel-good tunes and I would most definitely have chosen Herman's Hermits Starring Peter Noone. Good clean fun for the entire family to enjoy and sing along. I checked out the Jukes site and really didn't see any familiar sing-along songs on there. Maybe next year they'll choose Peter Noone.
Cathy You never heard of "We're Havin' A Party?" Or "Walk Away Renee?" Go to the show and sing along.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdtwrC4e7k
Here's a link to "We're Havin' A Party. Not sure if it'll work.
Who cares either way, one can go this year the others next year. spend your time thinking about something really IMPORTANT. Maybe world peace, feeding the hungry of this world, being nice to our fellow man? All of you need to grow up it is a concert not a decision by the United Nations Security Council. GET A LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes put on a great show. Being from the west coast, I had never heard of them but was invited to a show last summer while visiting NY. After that, I became a true fan. I can't think of a better way to enjoy your "Celebration of Liberty and Pride" than with great American music from a great American band.
Love that song, Restless Heart and enjoyed seeing the video. Thank you for sharing it on here. I'm sure Johhny puts on a great show!
Hopefully all you Southside Johhny fans and him (if he sees this) realize that us noonatics weren't meaning to insult him at all. The question on whether or not they made the right choice… is really pretty silly, after the fact and I'm sure neither Peter nor Johhny have felt or even feel nowww… the need to compete with one another. It's neat that Johhny has such devoted fans too and if this were a question on whether or not our favoritest poptart, Peter were the right one picked (given some of these responses) I'm just certain we'd all be responding in the same way that you have. Hopefully we can all SMILE for any similarities that way.
Oooh I meant… Johnny, but gave him an extra H instead. LOL
Sorry on the spelling of the Hermits — believe it or not, the town had that spelling in its materials on the matter, and it was believed on their part that there were legal issues for the band name being changed. A quick check by the reporter did nothing to dispel that belief, unfortunately.
Of course, we didn't expect this post to be so popular!
Anyhow, thanks all for posting and sorry on the spelling. Believe it or not, both the reporter and editor believed the proper spelling to be Herman's, but … the best laid plans and all.
Best,
AmyV
Metro Editor/Rockland
Your choices were between … a hermit a monkey and the South. Easy hands down winner is the South. Many of your attendees will know or have heard him before. He is a consistent performer 75 to 100 shows per year, many in the summer and at festivals, theatres and the like. His band is a group of top notch musicians. Strong following of folks who regularly drive hours to see his shows. I will see you there.
What audience are you trying to appeal to? Herman's Hermits and the Monkees are older than sin. I saw Peter Noone on AI last year and boy has he aged! I laughed, because I doubt any of those kids competing on AI even heard of Peter Noone (Don't even get me started on some of the other choices they had to work with the contestants last year. Barry Manilow? Rod Stewart? If Rudi Valli was alive, they probably would have brought him in). If you are trying to appeal to the senior citizens in town, you should have gotten the Hermits or The Monkees. But if you are trying to appeal to a wider audience, Southbury Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes is your choice.
I gotta tell you, I had that "I'm Henry the Eighth" tune buzzing in my ears all weekend like an annoying mosquito…It was nice to see some Southside Johnny advocates join the fray!
As for my musical preferences, I'm a Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jon bon Jovi, and U2 kind of guy. I'd be as unlikely to go to a Hermits concert as I'd be to hunker down for a Lawrence Welk TV marathon!
Ramapo Town Board, you rock!
Southside Johnny give one of the best concerts you will ever see.They made A right choice
Southside Johnny give one of the best concerts you will ever see.Go see him you will not be disapointed.They made A right choice
OK. How about we stop judging one another and go see BOTH concerts! Noonatics will make an effort to go see Southside Johnny and the Jukes, and Southside Johnny and the Jukes fans should make an effort to go see Herman's Hermits. Don't be prejudiced against bands that are older – there is a reason they are still popular. (Actually Peter's band is pretty young – not that it matters!) Don't go expecting a repeat of a 60's concert or you will be disappointed. The artists don't even try to pretend that they are still teen-agers, yet their energy is AMAZING! These concerts and the music is definitely undated – and the sound is excellent! (BY thw way – I LOVE the song "Don't Walk Away Renee"! I also love the Big Band sound.) Not everyone believes this, but it's actually OK for people to have different musical interests! It doesn't make them "old" or "odd" or "better" or "worse" than anyone else. Let's stop being prejudiced, judgemental, and mean-spirited about this – and keep enjoying the music we like! We should ALL be more open-minded and find something positive about ALL types of music. It's the language of the world! (Sorry this got so long!)
Being an hugh Peter Noone Fan I can understand why most responses here had been defending Peter Noone and the Hermits compare to Southbury Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes. I have to admit I don't recall Southbury Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes but do know the song "Walk Away Renee" and do like the song. So we all should not be so critical with each performer. As each give their 100% to their fans and who ever appears at Ramapo we should all be happy for having them on the 4th of July event. Maybe next year they will bring Peter Noone & the Hermits too. Then everyone will be happy.
It's great to have different opinions with many types of music for everyone who will enjoy and be happy with. This is only one venue by the way so either Peter or Johnny need not to worry about their fans who would show up for their shows. Everyone will enjoy the show who attends. That's ok for having Southbury Johnny and the Ashbury Dukes performing this year. I guess Ramapo should have all kinds of performers to please everyone who comes to their shows. That way you get many kinds of people coming to their shows now and in the future.
Nothing escapes discussion in the Town of Ramapo….not even the musical group we select for our 4th of July
celebration ….first for the newcomers our annual "family picnic" attracts 20,000+ people from throughout the metropolitan area….families are able to enjoy topflight entertainment, and a fantastic fireworks display at no cost
....sans any commerical vendors and gamebooths etc on site…
Aside from being less expensive than Herman's Hermits of my
generation (60's)....the Jukes who are a legendary Jersey shore band… perfect for our picnic atmosphere and will be preceded onstage by a renowned local band Joe Durso and Stone Caravan I saw Southside last year at the shore and at the Riverspace theater in Nyack….they put on a great show
...to all my fellow music afficianados I hope to see you all at our 4th of July Party, and at our Big Screen Movies
Film festival…which begins on March 8th at the historic Lafayette theater in Suffern….also at the Lafayette on March 30th will be a live oldies concert featuring the Duprees and Kenny Vance and the Planetones…