Concert Review
Gary Lewis & The Playboys
The Bear’s Den
Inside Seneca Niagara Casino
Niagara Falls, NY
Saturday September 28, 2013
3 PM Show
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
Gary Lewis & The Playboys rolled into The Bears Den inside Seneca Niagara Casino Saturday afternoon for the first of two shows on the day. The leader of the iconic sixties group did not disappoint as he took the crowd on a journey that featured nothing but hits of the 1960s. Lewis is also the son of comedian and actor Jerry Lewis who is also known for hosting the annual MDA telethon until 2010.
Lewis was in fine voice as the band tore through standards such as “Sealed With A Kiss,” “She’s Just Not My Style” and the number one smash “This Diamond Ring.” Lewis also played some of his favorite covers which included “Love Potion #9” and Del Shannon’s “Runaway.”
Flanked by keyboardist/music director John Zehnder and a more than capable trio of musicians from Rochester, NY, the band tore through such other classics as “Green Grass,” “Count Me In” and “Sure Gonna Miss Her,” to name a few. Guitarist Jimmy Whitaker also took a turn for an arousing version of the old Van Morrison classic “Brown-Eyed Girl.” The near proximity to Rochester brought many friends and family members as guitarist Whitaker, drummer Bobby Bond and bassist Dom Trinchini all were represented with a strong turnout. Incidently Trinchini and Whitaker are no strangers to each other as both have played together in Rochester marvel Melia Maccarone’s band.
Sometimes these nostalgia shows turn out to be better than originally anticipated. Such was the case Saturday afternoon as Gary Lewis and The Playboys treated the audience to a delightful show. Not only were the songs played true to form but it was like being transported back in time if only for a short while.
Opening the show with a witty comedy sketch was Fredonia native Nick Siracuse. Siracuse who has written for television shows such as Jay Leno, Arsenio Hall among many others, was a great choice to get the show started as he helped set the mood of the whole event.
Nick Siracuse
Set List
Palisades Park
Count Me In
Barefootin’
Save Your Heart For Me
Everybody Loves A Clown
Love Potion #9
Sure Gonna Miss Her
Brown Eyed Girl
Green Grass
My Heart’s Symphony
I’m A Believer
This Diamond Ring
Sealed With A Kiss
Runaway
She’s Just Not My Style
