50′s
The King of the Accordion
The King of the Accordion – Click for more images
Yes!! There is a king of the accordion and his name is Ramon Ayala.
Ayala, a four-time Grammy winner packed Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s summer amphitheater for the second year in a row on Friday night.
The 66 year old Ayala is a legend of norteño music and is one of the most recognized and best-selling artists of the genre.
Ayala played to norteño and tejano fans from both sides of the border, with fans singing along to every song. While I have no idea what the hell he was singing, I found it thoroughly entertaining as he worked his magic on the mostly older crowd.
Ayala arrived on stage with his trademark green, white and red accordion. The crowd erupted in cheers and several individuals made their way up to the stage to pay tribute to the man.
Ramon Ayala – Click for more images
Now as anyone who knows me will tell you, I am NOT a fan of the accordion, but I have to say when Ayala is playing its pretty spectacular to listen to.
Ayala was joined on stage by his band, known as Bravos del Norte. Band members were Mario Marichalar (bajo sexton and vocals), Fidencio Ayala (bass), Jose Luis Ayala (drums and vocals), David Laure (percussion) and Raul Rosales (emcee and percussion).
Lorenzo and Ayala
Ayala played a number of his hits including “Mi Piquito de Oro,” a Latin version of “Cotton Fields,” and “Un Puno de Tierra,” which had the entire audience on their feet.
Since I didn’t understand what was being said it was interesting watching the crowd’s reaction to, not only the music, but the dialog as emcee Rosales shouted out to the crowd. Apparently they were taking requests from audience members.
Midway through the performance Thunder Valley Casino gave away an autographed accordion signed the legendary performer. Audience member Lorenzo won the accordion and he was able to go onstage to collect his prize and meet the man himself.
Legends of Soul – Playing it Old School
The Dramatics - Played by James Hill, Stan Lockwood, Rodney James, Douglas Stepney, and Chase Ruffin
The Legends of Soul Tribute Show is a group of individuals who impersonate ““ well ““ legends of soul.
This very talented group of guys and gals, put on nothing short of a true Las Vegas style show, with each impersonator in full character during their entire set, and many performers playing multiple characters.
As droves of young and old crowded into Thunder Valley Casino Resort‘s Pano Hall on Saturday, radio personality, and the evenings emcee Nick Harper thanked everyone for coming out to the show, as well as Thunder Valley Casino for providing such a great venue.
The Legends of Soul kicked off their 2+ hour extravaganza with the legendary Sam Cooke played by Elijah Sterling (Get it? Legends of Soul ““ legendary Sam Cooke. I know, it cracked me up too.) Cooke dressed in a powder blue suit with matching hat, sang “Cupid” and “Twist the Night Away,” easily two of Cooke’s greatest hits from the early “’60s.
Marvin Gaye - Played by Chase Ruffin - Click for more images
Following Cooke was Jackie Wilson, played by John Hampton. Wilson was known as Mr. Excitement due to his dynamic dance moves while onstage. Hampton didn’t disappoint as he took the stage by storm, dancing much like Wilson. Singing “You Keep Lifting Me Higher” and “Baby Workout,” Hampton delivered a high energy performance.
Wilson Pickett, played by Dwayne Thompson, delivered a soulful performance of “Mustang Sally,” followed by “In the Midnight Hour,” two of Pickett’s biggest hits.
The Legends of Soul wouldn’t be complete without the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, played by Samantha Richardson. A gentleman, accompanying Franklin on stage, removed a white fur she had draped around her neck and left the stage as she belted out “Chains of Fools” and “Rock Steady.” Franklin finished off her set with an extremely well done rendition of “Respect.”
The O’Jays arrived on stage singing “Love Train” and “Back Stabbers.” The trio was in perfect synchronization their entire set and sounded eerily familiar to the original O’Jays.
The Stylistics and The Dramatics also performed later in the show. Both groups performed flawlessly while they danced in-step with each other, lending to their credible performance.
Needing no introduction due to the silky tone and song choice, Lou Rawls, played by Russell Branch, came out singing “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine,” followed by “Lady Love.” I believe I saw a woman or two faint, he was that good.
Al Green - Played by Lionel Burns - Click for more images
So the show continued with one legend after another. Some audience members were lost in the moment, as I’m sure they were thinking back to those long forgotten memories, or maybe they were just dosing ,as some folks in the crowd were just a tad on the old side.
Other stars that shared the stage were Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Patti Labelle, and Stevie Wonder.
Most notable was John Hampton coming out as Stevie Wonder. Lending to the credible performance was Producer Rudolph Peter’s as he guided Wonder to his keyboard, taking Wonder’s hand and guiding it to the keyboard and microphone to ensure Wonder knew where they were. Complete with the sound of Wonder, Hampton’s performance included all the mannerisms of the legend.
Every performer did an excellent job staying in character and singing just like the real thing. The real standouts of the show, and mostly forgotten in the background, was the band, as they played a wide variety of hits throughout the night.
Stevie Wonder - Played by John Hampton - Click for more images
I wouldn’t be surprised to see this group of talented individuals performing in Las Vegas at some point in the future. They pack in the people, they love what they do, and they do it well.
Complete Cast in order of Appearance:
Master of Ceremony: Nicholas Harper
Sam Cooke: Elijah Sterling
Jackie Wilson ““ John Hampton
Wilson Pickett: Dwayne Thompson
Aretha Franklin: Samantha Richardson. Background Dee Johnson and Dewanna Slaughter
The O’Jays: Charles Boomer, David Lige, and Lionel Burns
Lou Rawls: Russell Branch
Curtis Mayfield: Elijah Sterling
Marvin Gaye: Chase Ruffin
Al Green: Lionel Burns
The Dramatics: James Hill, Stan Lockwood, Rodney James, Douglas Stepney, and Chase Ruffin
Patti Labelle: Dee Johnson ,background – Samantha Richardson, and Dewanna Slaughter
Stevie Wonder: John Hampton
The Stylistics: Ralph Greene (lead vocals), background- Elijah Sterling, Rodney James, and David Lige
Michael Jackson: Thurman Conners
Band: (Lead Guitar) Richard Cravalho, (Drummer) Rich Aguon, (Bass Guitar) Darrel Broadnax, (Keyboard Left) Archie White, (Keyoard Right) Earnest Nation, and (Congo) Glen Austin
Producer: Rudolph Peters
Chubby Checker Plays Thunder Valley
Chubby Checker - Click for more images
My evening got off to a bad start and I was thinking I’d end up like Jason Derulo, who recently broke his neck after landing on his head during a concert rehearsal.
You see, Chubby Checker has been performing for over 50 years! His fans are ““ how do I say this ““ well, they are on the old side of old.
So to make a short story long, I was walking to my seat in Thunder Valley Casino Resort’s Pano Hall and tripped over some old guy’s cane that was sticking out in the aisle. Trying to maintain my balance, I grab for a chair, which turned out not to be a chair, but a walker ““ a walker with wheels no less. As I found myself tumbling forward, in a not so gracious way, the walker rolled forward with me on it. Luckily I was able to find the brakes just before piling into a row of wheelchairs. However, the brakes must have been recently serviced, because once I hit the brakes I was sent head over heels into the row of wheelchairs.
I couldn’t have planned it better! It looked like I was in complete control the whole time, relying on my great physical strength and coordination to land gracefully on a well maintained and very nice looking wheelchair ““ it even had pinstripes!
As I’m breathing a sigh of relief, I noticed everyone’s attention on me as they were chanting “Go girl!” over and over. Okay, I get it. I have long hair and have been known to paint a nail or two, so they’ve mistaken me for a girl. That’s when it hit me. No, not an idea, but a long stick in the form of a cane! I guess the Mrs didn’t take too kindly to me tripping over her husband’s cane.
So on to the show . . .
As soon as the paramedics cleared the area, Checker’s band, the Wildcats, jumped onstage and started playing some background music in anticipation of Checker’s arrival.
Chubby Checker - Click for more images
I was expecting the 70 year old singer to come out hobbling across the stage, holding the microphone stand for balance, and attempting to sing. No way!
Checker bounced onto the stage like a 50 year old man on Viagra ““ not that I know what that’s like. Needless to say when he started belting out “Good Good Lovin,” I was floored. This guy has got one hell of a voice, not only that, but a great stage presence too.
As Checker started “Twist it Up,” he stopped the band telling them they were too loud. He motioned over to the soundboard guy saying, “Chubby’s too loud.”
Before getting back to “Twist it Up,” Checker said to the crowd, “This is the first show that we have done in 2012 and I am so glad to see you.”
Checker got the crowd cheering with “Dancin Party,” as he started performing some of his classic moves from the twistin era.
This was definitely an audience participation show with a number of young ladies being asked to go up on stage to show off their moves. One of the moves was Checkers classic hucklebuck, aptly named for his song “Hucklebuck.”
Prior to starting “Hucklebuck,” Checker told the crowd, “Back in the 60′s you could never hucklebuck, only in the privacy of your own room. You couldn’t do the huckbuck, it was too nasty. But now it’s 2012, everything’s nasty.”
Chubby Checker getting up close and personal
Checker headed off into the audience on a number of occasions. As he made his way through the sea of blue hair, he was greeted with hugs and kisses from the women, and good ole gentlemanly pats on the back from the men.
Checker was so impressed with the audiences vocals he decided to lead them in a chorus of Mickey Mouse’s goodbye song “It’s Time to Say Goodbye”. Damn him! Now I can’t get it out of my head.
“M-I-C, See you real soon, K-E-Y, Why? Because we like you. M-O-U-S-E.”
Towards the end of the concert Checker asked all the men to come up on stage to do The Twist. Due to the number of men heading for the stage, security had to step in and stop some of the men trying to get on stage.
This was an extremely enjoyable night out. While I’ve been joking about the “older” crowd, there were plenty of young people in the audience too. In fact, one of the younger ladies landed onstage dancing with Checker.
Chubby Checker and a young lady dancing on stage
It didn’t matter if you weren’t familiar with Checker’s music. Checker is an entertainer through and through, having great vocals, stage presence, and an AARP card. And come on, who else could get the audience to sing Mickey Mouse?
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Ramon Ayala at Thunder Valley Casino
Click for more images
The “King of the Accordion” and four-time Grammy winner Ramon Ayala played to norteño and tejano fans from both sides of the border, with most fans singing along to every song. A mostly older crowd jammed into Thunder Valley Casino and Resort to watch their old favorite perform. There were a few younger fans peppered throughout, enjoying the music just as much as their elders.
Ayala arrived on stage with his trademark green, white and red accordion. The crowd erupted in cheers and several individuals made their way up to the stage to pay tribute to the man.
Ayala was joined on stage by his band, known as Bravos del Norte. Band members were Mario Marichalar (bajo sexton and vocals), Fidencio Ayala (bass), Jose Luis Ayala (drums and vocals), David Laure (percussion) and Raul Rosales (emcee and percussion).
Ayala played a number of his hits including “Mi Piquito de Oro,” a Latin version of “Cotton Fields,” and “Un Puño de Tierra,” which had the entire audience on their feet.
I’m used to seeing Thunder Valley Casino’s outdoor stage packed with instruments, amps and gear of all shapes and sizes, but when I looked at the stage there was a set of drums, congas and some microphones. I thought for sure they hadn’t finished setting up. The band performs with a minimum amount of gear which consists of a set of drums, congas, two accordions, bajo sexto and a bass.
It was fun watching the crowd react to each and every song. You could see couples looking into each other’s eyes. I’m sure some were remembering when they first met, others their first kiss, all to the music they were listening to at the time. Some songs had people swaying in their seats, while others brought them to their feet. It was obvious they knew each and every song.
Ramon Ayala has been singing, composing and playing his accordion for over 45 years. He has recorded over 100 albums and has been featured in thirteen movies. He is considered a legend of norteño music and is one of the most recognized and bestselling artists of the genre.
