Rock-n-Soul Revue

The New Jersey Shore Rock-n-Soul Revue shows at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ, were some of the most popular events at the esteemed venue in 2005. At those shows, a talented group of musicians, led by Bobby Bandiera and including backing vocalist-songwriter-guitarist Bob Burger, were joined onstage by Southside Johnny and drew an audience of local and national celebrities, including Jon Bon Jovi.

The Revue, presented by the Count Basie Theatre, a 1,550-seat circa-1926 theatre, began in February of 2005, was the brainchild of the Theatre's CEO, Numa Saisselin, who asked Bandiera to lead the event, confident in his ability to pay homage to the great artists of the rock and roll era. Each concert is designed to highlight the collective work of an individual artist or genre. The February 2005 show took fans back to the decade made famous by drive-in movies, Chuck Berry and the birth of rock-n-roll and '57 Chevys. The follow-up event in August paid tribute to the music of Simon and Garfunkel and the Everly Brothers. While both events were hugely successful, fans have been eagerly awaiting the much-delayed next act.

In what should be one of the most talked-about events of the season, The Rock-n-Soul Revue will be returning to the Count Basie on November 18, 2006 with The Wall of Sound: The Music of Phil Spector. Joining Bandiera and Burger on stage will be Mick Seeley (keyboards, vocals), Kevin Kavanaugh (keyboards, vocals), Neal Pawley (bass), Joe Bellia and Lance Stark (drums), Popeye (percussion, vocals), Joey Stann and Tommy LaBella (sax), John Berry (trumpet), Tom Meares (trombone) and Maureen McCrink, Leona Holmes and Lisa Bouchelle (vocals).

"The upcoming RNS revue is looking to be a bang up show!," said Burger, who is also working on the release of his next album, "Surprise Party," this winter. "Rehearsals are going very smoothly under Bobby Bandiera's direction and everybody has really done their homework in detailing the songs. The show will cover the range of Spector's career, from the Ronettes to the Beatles to the Ramones. And we're definitely expecting some other surprises."

Burger is just one example of the area's music talent that is being highlighted at the Revue events. He has penned hundreds of hook-laden songs, including his successful debut CD, "Cymbals At Dawn". He has written songs for recording artists Styx, Donnie Iris, Glen Burtnik and Joe Vadala, as well as for media conglomerates like HBO Pictures. He is also long-time writing and performing partners with Bandiera. Throughout his career, he has performed extensively at legendary venues like The Stone Pony, CBGB and The Bitter End.

Bandiera, a Jersey shore scene veteran and long-time Asbury Juke, is frequently sought after by two of the greatest musical successes to come from the area. A familiar face among Bruce Springsteen fans, the Bobby Bandiera Band, which also includes Burger, is often called upon by The Boss to play many of his independent events such as his annual private fundraisers for the Rumson Country Day School and his Asbury Park-based holiday shows.

Bandiera and Bon Jovi also have a long history together. Having first met through Jon's association with Southside Johnny, Bandiera's initial engagement supporting Bon Jovi was in 1997 when his solo band hit the road promoting his solo project, "Destination Anywhere". Since then, Bandiera has been seen at a handful of exclusive Bon Jovi engagements until 2005 when he joined ranks with the rest of the band on the 20-month-long international tour in support of the "Have A Nice Day" album.

Spector, despite his recent notoriety, is a pivotal figure in music history. His production wizardry can be heard on a catalog of music ranging from "Do Doo Ron Ron" by The Crystals, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" by The Righteous Brothers, "Let It Be" by The Beatles, "Imagine" by John Lennon, "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison and "Rock 'n' Roll High School" by the Ramones.

Tickets are $38.50, $28.50, $20, and can be purchased by calling the Count Basie box office at 732-842-9000, or online at www.countbasietheatre.org. Count Basie Theatre is located at 99 Monmouth Street, Red Bank, NJ.

[ Websites: www.countbasietheatre.org, www.bobbandiera.com, www.bobburger.com ]