Gary Lewis

We ate at the Dick Clark AB Grill before the show and seated over at a table was Fabian and Bobby Vee. Now I didn’t bother them, but sure enjoyed seeing some of my favorites from my childhood. The restaurant has many pictures and neat things from Bandstand days The food was good and I will go back and try it again.

When we entered the lovely theatre, I went in a grandmother, but it wasn’t long until I felt 13 all over again. When you are seated before the show starts there are many photos of Gary Lewis and his Dad Jerry Lewis. You instantly feel that there is a deep love between these two. When the show starts the present (not the original) Playboys begin the show and each one is featured in a song from the 60’s. They are all so talented and have great voices. Then they show a video of last year’s MDA Telethon and Jerry introducing his son Gary performing during the Telethon. Again you see the deep love between Dad and son, and Gary comes out on stage.

I think he soon was back to being 20 again. He was really rocking. He sang many of my favorites like “This Diamond Ring”, “Count me in”, he says he first wrote “Everybody loves a Clown” for his Dad’s birthday, but soon thought he had a hit and so he gave dad something like a bowling ball and recorded the song. His voice seems to be even better today then it was in 1965 and it was great back then!!! He sang some songs from the 60’s that were hits for others and he was great singing those too. I first loved Gary because he played the drums!! It wasn’t long before he moved to the front and didn’t play the drums any more, but during the show he plays a number on the drums and I remembered just how good he was and why I liked him in the first place.

After the show in the lobby his wife is standing with his CD and DVD’s that are available for sale, he soon joins her at the table. I took two of my old 45’s with me and he signed them for me. Wow, I never dreamed when I got them years ago, I would have his autograph on the records. He looked them over and said he thought I had them for a while. He took time to talk with each person waiting in line.

He announced that he had just signed up to be at the theatre again one week a month next year.

It was a great afternoon and I certainly can’t wait to go back again. My husband enjoyed the show as well and he said it brought back many memories of his teen years. My husband said although I didn’t notice, all the ladies were right back to their bandstand days and rocking in their seats. I think he was glad I managed to stay in my seat, although it was hard.

Iva Williams

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