The Heart Of Rock N Roll

Synopsis

Concert Special From the Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island, New York.

My Review

Having always enjoyed the concerts I was initially excited when this episode first aired although have to say that by the end I was a disappointed. I had no idea that there was a second part to it and so I thought it strange that not all the cast featured got their own solo spot.

It was an exciting start with the whole cast singing the Heart of Rock n Roll. Carlo was certainly shaking his thing!! However after that the show went a little down hill for me as I'm not a great fan on 50s and 60s music.

There seemed to be a real identity crisis for this show as one minute it's a 50s song and the next we are back in the 80s, which is the stuff that I do like.

The boys medley seems to go on for a really long time and I was expecting it to end after each of them had a chance to sing but it carried on and I didn't really enjoy it.

I was more excited by the girls medley, as I've always been a ladies man, well when it comes to music I have! However in comparison to the boys medley the girls didn't seem to get as much air time.

It was disappointing that neither Cynthia or Debbie were actually performing and I was always a little confused as to why dancer Leanne was with the cast members, she didn't get a solo and it seemed really bizarre. If they had wanted a 4th person it would have made more sense to me for them to use Bronwyn. Still I do like Nia's performance of "My Boyfriends Back" and Val's performance of "The Leader of the Pack".

Billy got his solo doing an Elvis medley which seemed appropriate for him as he is such a real life Elvis fan but I wasn't too interested in it.

I do love Val's introduction of Janet and the performance of "Don't Stand Another Chance" which was obviously mimed (particularly as it fades out at the end) however, it's still a stand out track from Janet's second album with backing vocals by brother Michael.

I was then a little bored by the dancers medley as the cast members weren't really involved.

I love Carlo's introduction of Val and her great performance of "Holding Out For A Hero" which is a classic 80s song. Who knew Val was so into leather did she forget this is a family show!

The Beatles medley was okay but I was disappointed that the girls didn't get a chance to sing and again the boys dominated. I know there weren't any female Beatles but if you can have a black one and a Latino one then I'm sure we could have stretched it to include a female vocal too. Besides the girls look so cute in those Beatles outfits.

Credits

Original U.S. air date 27th October 1984

Orignal U.K. air date 19th August 1985

Songs

1. "The Heart of Rock and Roll" – Performed by Billy Hufsey, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Gene Anthony Ray, Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson, and Valarie Landsburg (Originally by Huey Lewis and the News)

2. "Come Go with M" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by The Del-Vikings)

3. "Get a Job" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by The Silhouettes)

4. "Book of Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey (Originally by The Monotones)

5. "The Great Pretender" – Performed by Jesse Borrego (Originally by The Platters)

6. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers)

7. "Teenager in Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey (Originally by Dion & the Belmonts)

8. "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay" – Performed by Jesse Borrego, Carlo Imperato, Billy Hufsey, and Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by Danny & the Juniors)

9. "My Boyfriend's Back" – Performed by Nia Peeples (Originally by The Angels)

10. "Leader of the Pack" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg (Originally by The Shrangi-Las)

11. "Mr. Lee" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg, Nia Peeples, and Janet Jackson (Originally by The Bobbettes)

12. "Chapel of Love" – Performed by Janet Jackson (Originally by The Dixie Cups)

    1. "The Boy from New York City" – Performed by Nia Peeples, Valarie Landsburg, and Janet Jackson (Originally by The Ad Libs)

       • Tribute to Elvis Presley by Billy Hufsey:

13. "Heartbreak Hotel"

14. "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear"

15. "Can't Help Falling in Love"

• 1. "Jailhouse Rock"

     • ---End---

  2. "Don't Stand Another Chance" – Performed by Janet Jackson

     • Tribute to Rock 'N' Rock dances (with the "Fame" dancers):

16. "Rock Around the Clock" – Performed by Oren, Julia Waters & the Waters (Originally by Bill Haley & His Comets)

17. "The Stroll" – Performed by Luther Waters & the Waters (Originally by The Diamonds)

18. "The Loco-Motion" – Performed by Maxine Waters & the Waters (Originally by Little Eva)

19. "The Monkey Time" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Curtis Mayfield)

20. "The Twist" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Chubby Checker)

21. "Walking the Dog" – Performed by Luther Waters (Originally by Rufus Thomas)

22. "Disco Inferno" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by The Trammps)

23. "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Jermaine Jackson)

• 1. "Footloose" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Kenny Loggins)

     • ---End---

  2. "Holding Out for a Hero" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg (Originally by Bonnie Tyler)

     • Tribute to The Beatles:

24. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, JesseBorrego, Billy Hufsey, and Carlo Imperato

25. "Help!" – Performed by Carlo Imperato

26. "Eleanor Rigby" (Interlude) – Performed by The Waters

27. "Come Together" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray

28. "All You Need Is Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey

• 1. "The End" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey, and Carlo Imperato

     • ---End---

29. "The Heart of Rock and Roll" (Reprise) – Performed by The Waters

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LINKS

Screenshots from the Heart Of Rock N Roll

Videos from the Heart Of Rock N Roll