Comments on: Ramapo music lovers

By: phil tisi

phil tisi — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 21:26:43 +0000

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…

By: Nancy Roelke

Nancy Roelke — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:59:20 +0000

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.

By: Roselyn O'Brien

Roselyn O'Brien — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:26:18 +0000

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!)

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:21:59 +0000

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

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:21:07 +0000

Southside Johnny give one of the best concerts you will ever see.They made A right choice

By: James Walsh

James Walsh — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:56:42 +0000

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!

By: Grandpa's music

Grandpa's music — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:48:21 +0000

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.

By: Phil Clarke

Phil Clarke — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:24:56 +0000

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.

By: Amy Vernon

Amy Vernon — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:10:37 +0000

Sorry on the spelling of the Hermits â€” 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

By: Cassie

Cassie — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:24:26 +0000

Oooh I meant… Johnny, but gave him an extra H instead. LOL

By: Cassie

Cassie — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:21:13 +0000

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.

Cassie

By: Stormy

Stormy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:33:43 +0000

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.

By: Morticia

Morticia — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 04:52:58 +0000

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By: Restless Heart

Restless Heart — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:14:27 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNdtwrC4e7k
Here's a link to "We're Havin' A Party. Not sure if it'll work.

By: Restless Heart

Restless Heart — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 03:03:10 +0000

Cathy You never heard of "We're Havin' A Party?" Or "Walk Away Renee?" Go to the show and sing along.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:35:42 +0000

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.

By: Carole

Carole — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:27:47 +0000

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.

By: Rose Walsh

Rose Walsh — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 02:11:52 +0000

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.

By: Roselyn O'Brien

Roselyn O'Brien — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:48:47 +0000

(Made a typo – that's "nothing.)

By: Roselyn O'Brien

Roselyn O'Brien — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:47:43 +0000

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.

By: Me

Me — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:44:09 +0000

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!

By: Roselyn O'Brien

Roselyn O'Brien — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 23:27:57 +0000

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?

By: nancy

nancy — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:16:11 +0000

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.

By: Tasha from NJ

Tasha from NJ — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 19:13:42 +0000

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!

By: Lin

Lin — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 18:09:59 +0000

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!