Celebrate Valentine’s Day With Two Classic Soul Legend Groups On One Stage

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Classic Soul legends The Whispers (“And The Beat Goes On,” “Rock Steady,” “Contagious,” “It’s A Love Thing” and so much more), plus Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics (“Betcha By Golly Wow,” "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "You're A Big Girl Now," "Stop, Look, Listen,") – it’s one spectacular night of classic love songs and entertainment at Bergen Performing Arts Center Friday February 15th at 8PM. Reserve your tickets now at www.ticketmaster.com  or by calling the Box Office at (201) 227-1030 or by visiting the theater at 30 North Van Brunt Street Englewood, New Jersey.

THE WHISPERS
&
RUSSELL THOMPKINS JR. and the
NEW STYLISTICS
Friday February 15th 2013 at 8pm
Ticket prices are $89, $69, $59, $49, $39

THE WHISPERS
The Whispers began in the ’60s, but it wasn’t until 1980 that the vocal group scored its first Top 40 hit with “And the Beat Goes On.” The band’s lineup hasn’t changed since the early ’70s, with one exception. Original member Marcus Hutson died in 2000 and the four remaining Whispers have vowed not to replace him, but to continue as a quartet.

Unlike so many veteran acts born in the 60s and 70s, The Whispers have proven a thoroughbred with hit singles in almost every decade since their auspicious debut in 1964 with Dore Records. While most of their 60s and early 70s hits were mild regional West coast hits for the Dore, Soul Clock and Janus labels, their 1970's work with Soul Train and Solar Records found them hitting their stride with hits like their disco cover of Bread's "Make It With You," "One For The Money (Pt.1)," "Lets Go All The Way," "Chocolate Girl," "I Only Meant To Wet My Feet" and my personal favorite "Olivia (Lost and Turned Out)."
Despite gaining national fame and racking up several gold albums, platinum success eluded the group until 1980 with The Whispers. The self-titled album sported the lovely "Lady," the Donny Hathaway tribute "Song for Donny" and their biggest crossover hit to date, the #1 Billboard R&B and Dance hit, "And The Beat Goes On." The eighties R&B charts were littered with successful Whisper jams including: "Tonight," "Contagious," "It's A Love Thing," "Keep On Lovin' Me" and the cognac-soaked "In The Mood."
Fulfilling the prophecy of their next platinum album title, 1987's Just Gets Better With Time knocked out fans with the cool, matter-of-fact title-track and the Babyface-penned smash "Rock Steady," providing the group with their second #1 R&B hit. The group had more platinum success in the early 90's with such hit singles as "Innocent," "My Heart, Your Heart," "Is It Good to You" and a critically-acclaimed album of Babyface tunes for Capitol Records in 1997, before moving into the independent label scene with their recent, most personal studio album, For Your Ears Only.

RUSSELL THOMPKINS JR. & NEW STYLISTICS
For over 30 years, Russell Thompkins Jr. was the original lead singer of Philadelphia soul legends The Stylistics. His impeccable falsetto voice led the group to international fame and recognition, recording such hits as "You Make Me Feel Brand New," "You're A Big Girl Now," "Stop, Look, Listen," "Betcha By Golly Wow" and many more. The Grammy-nominated group recorded eight platinum albums, and is regarded as one of the premier vocal groups of its era. Thompkins returns to

The early ’70s hits of Philadelphia R&B vocal group the Stylistics — including Top 10s “You Make Me Feel Brand New” and “I’m Stone in Love With You” — can still send shivers up the spine, largely due to the lovely falsetto of frontman Russell Thompkins Jr. Those gorgeous love songs still pack enough sweet, sweet love to make this a romantic’s dream night.

bergenPAC
30 North Van Brunt Street
Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 227-1030
www.bergenpac.org
www.ticketmaster.com

About bergenPAC
Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat Bergen Performing Arts Center, or bergenPAC, is the area’s cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that reaches more than 30,000 students annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, “hands-on” training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community.

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