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'Upbeat Memories'


By Allison Williams, Staff Writer
April 13, 2000, 11:00 p.m. EDT

CLEVELAND -- Ooh baby baby, the crowd at the "Upbeat" concert sure had a lot of personality.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum saw a tremendous turnout for Thursday night's musical event.

Two separate lines of fans waited to get in the doors, with the brisk lake wind whipping at their cheeks, to attend a spectacular "upbeat" performance.

The concert featured 11 major acts and was split into two sections. The first hour, from 8 to 9 p.m., was a televised special, hosted by Don Webster, and people were excited to get a chance to be seen on television. Each musical performer came out and performed one of his or her biggest hits.

The second half of the concert was more laid-back, and each musical act came back on stage and performed a few more songs.

Gary Lewis' band, the Playboys, was the backup band for the whole show, and it warmed up with a few songs of its own before the special got under way at 8 p.m.

Mitch Ryder, a popular singer during the "Upbeat" era who had four Top 20 hits, kicked off the show with an energetic performance of "Devil in a Blue Dress." The audience went crazy.

Ryder is also known for singing a duet with Otis Redding, "Knock on Wood," on "Upbeat" the day before Redding died in a plane crash.

WEWSGene Chandler was the next performer, and he wowed the crowd with "Duke of Earl." His costume won the audience over -- he wore a red suit, cape and top hat as he danced around with a cane.

Freda Payne, who, in the prime of her career performed with both Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones, performed "Band of Gold" for the audience, and it was apparent that she was genuinely enjoying herself because the smile never left her face.

Jerry Butler, who presented the proclamation at the plaque unveiling ceremony earlier in the day, was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 1991. At the concert, he sang a slow jam, "Your Precious Love."

UpbeatSonny Geraci is a Cleveland-area native, so the crowd erupted in applause when he took the stage. He sang "Time Won't Let Me" before the large audience.

Kim Weston, who hit the top of the charts with Marvin Gaye with their duet, "It Takes Two," performed this song for the crowd with a Cleveland-area partner.

Gary Lewis and his band had seven number one hits in the "Upbeat" era. They performed "This Diamond Ring" at the show.

Lloyd Price really got the crowd involved as he performed his smash hit, "Personality." The 1998 Rock Hall inductee was a bundle of energy, and the crowd followed suit.

The Miracles, once the group of rhythm and blues legend Smokey Robinson, performed their famous hit, "Ooh Baby Baby." The group has had 10 Top 10 hits during their career.

The MiraclesGary Puckett, who often co-hosted "Upbeat" with Webster, played his guitar and sang his hit, "Young Girl," for the crowd. The song hit Number One three times.

As the televised special wrapped up, Ben E. King took the stage and sang his popular song, "Stand By Me." The tune was the theme of the 1986 movie of the same name. King is also a Hall of Fame inductee.

The "Upbeat" concert was a sure success, as the crowd appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and rocking along with the musical legends. It was a fitting way to end a daylong celebration of the "Upbeat" show and the WEWS building's landmark designation.

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