TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Suncoast Pasco News

The Vogues To Appear In New Port Richey

ADVERTISEMENT

By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: February 18, 2009

At his senior prom, in 1970, Stan Elich sang "Moments to Remember," the 1969 hit of The Vogues.

Almost 40 years later, he still sings the song, only this time with Bill Burkette and Hugh Geyer, two members of the original Vogues.

The five-member Vogues will hit nostalgic notes for baby boomers Saturday, Feb. 21, at Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey.

In addition to the two original members, Elich, his son Troy and Jim Campagna will recreate Vogues hits and the music of the era.

"We do the songs baby boomers want to hear," said Stan Elich, who owns the trademark to the Vogues.

As is often the case with groups claiming roots in the early days of rock 'n' roll, there are two groups with the Vogues name before the public these days. Elich bought the Vogues trademark but was not a member of the original quartet. Another group, Chuck Blasko & The Vogues, is allowed to use the Vogue name in 14 Western Pennsylvania counties by court order. Blasko was a member of the original Vogues.

The Vogues had a string of hits in the 1960's, including "You're the One," "Five O' Clock World," "Turn Around, Look at Me" and "My Special Angel." During their peek popularity they appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," "American Bandstand," and "The Red Skelton Show." They produced seven albums and 10 charted hits. The name of the group comes from Vogue Terrace, a teenage hangout in North Versailles, Penn., the area in which members lived.

Burkette, 66, was the lead singer and Geyer, 67, lead tenor.

The original group was inducted into the Vocal Hall of Fame in 2001.

The program features all the Vogues hits, plus a Motown medley and hits from the Beach Boys and Coasters.

Audiences are mostly aging baby boomers who often react emotionally to the music of their youth, Elich said. "They want to hear them as close as they can get," said Elich.

The Vogues make about 100 appearances a year. Burkette and Geyer are enjoying their second incarnation as entertainers, Elich said.

"I've got them in places they haven't been in eons," he said. "They're having a good time."

The lowdown

The Vogues will perform at 8 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Performing Arts Center, Pasco-Hernando Community College West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey. Tickets are $30, $27 and $23. They are available online at www.phcc.edu/tix or by calling 727-816-3707.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT