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Former '60s Girl Singer Back On Stage

Cheryl Bentley/SUNCOAST NEWS

Lucy brings the rock spirit of her New York youth to the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in New Port Richey and the American Legion Post 173 in Holiday.

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By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: August 6, 2008

She's almost half a century older now, but Lucy Ellis still can belt out the songs she sang as a member of a girl band in the 1960s and '70s.

Then, as rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist, she sang mainly rock with The Little Kittens, an all-female band that played in the New York City area. She and her band members were so young that club staff wouldn't allow them into the club until they proved they were performers, rather than customers.

Later, Ellis joined a five-member mixed band that also played in that area.

But in adult years, work and family moved to center stage, and Ellis' performing stopped. She lived in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, and eventually retired as assistant to the vice president of the vitamin company Nature's Bounty. She moved to New Port Richey seven years ago.

These days, her entertainment career is enjoying its second incarnation, reborn with the aid of an unlikely midwife, Ellis' job as waitress at the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 3153 in New Port Richey. There, she met entertainer Rick Mercier. When he learned of her background, Mercier urged her to sing and play guitar.

But Ellis, who said she has a shy streak, at first refused.

Then one night, she finally let loose. "This quiet little waitress all of a sudden is wailing rock 'n' roll," she remembered.

She later joined Mercier in his act. These days, as Rick and Lucy, the two perform at the Eagles Aerie and American Legion Post 173, in Holiday. Ellis also does a single act at both places.

Today, her repertoire has expanded to include pop, country, oldies and blues as well as rock. Performing has not lost its magic. "When they applaud, I get emotional and start crying," she said. "I'm flattered, and I'm thrilled."

Ellis is known for bringing glitz to the act with her sequined clothes. "I like to wear something sparkling," she said.

There's still a lot of shaking going on in Ellis' performances. "I'm on the dance floor doing the electric slide, and they need a hook to get me off." she noted.

She often takes requests, and audience members occasionally join the singing.

Performing reaches deep for Ellis, helping her to leave behind her shyness. "It makes me feel alive," she said. "It makes everything worth while."

The lowdown

Lucy Ellis and Rick Mercier will perform 7 - 10 p.m. the first Friday of the month at American Legion Post 173, 4550 Bartelt Road, Holiday. She solos there 3 - 6 p.m. every other Wednesday. Her next appearance there is Wednesday, Aug. 13.

They are at the Eagles, Aerie, 4556 Leisure Lane, off Gulf Drive, New Port Richey, 5 - 9 p.m. the second Friday of the month. She is there 5 - 9 p.m. as a soloist the third Thursday of the month.

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