Milford Performance Center Double Header Matinee: Gary Lewis and the Playboys with Mitch Ryder

Gary Lewis was about as close to being an “overnight success” in the recording field as anyone can get. "This Diamond Ring" hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 20, 1965, making Lewis an instant star. In 1965 Gary himself was Cash Box magazine’s “Male Vocalist of the Year”, winning the honor over other nominees Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. 

This was the second time success struck twice in Gary’s family. His dad, Jerry Lewis, also skyrocketed to fame when he was just barely out of his teens for his comedy and acting antics.

Gary Lewis and The Playboys auditioned for their first job at Disneyland…and no one knew he had a famous dad. The entertainment director of the park merely liked what he saw and heard, and hired Gary and the boys on the spot.

The boys were enthusiastically accepted by the audiences from the very first night, and as the word spread it was not long before they were playing to a packed house every night. In 1965 they took their first single, “This Diamond Ring” straight to number one.

After their second hit titled “Count Me In” went to number two, Gary and the band proved that they would be a continued success. They followed with more Top 10 songs such as “Save Your Heart For Me”, “Everybody Loves A Clown”, “She’s Just My Style”, “Sure Gonna Miss Her”, and many more. Along with his appearances on various popular television shows including “American Bandstand”, “Hullabaloo”, and “The Tonight Show”. Gary accumulated an impressive five appearances within two years on the “Ed Sullivan Show”.

The high energy sounds of Mitch Ryder (of The Detroit Wheels) is one of the iconic sounds of the 60’s. High octane, turbo, high performance, super charged MITCH RYDER & The Detroit Wheels didn't need to hail from the Motor City for those adjectives to be tossed their way, but it was certainly appropriate that they called Motown home. It was Mitch and The Wheels who served as the musical bridge between the Motown soul factory and the high energy, take no prisoners rock 'n' roll. Known for such classic hits as Devil With A Blue Dress On, Jenny Take A Ride, Good Golly Miss Molly & C.C. Rider Mitch Ryder’s soulful and bluesy rock & roll voice is a welcome addition to the MPC Stage!

Tickets Available: www.MilfordPerformanceCenter.org

 

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Submitted by Milford, CT

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