The Heart Of Rock N Roll Part 1

"The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll" is a two-part special concert episode from the fourth season. The concert took place at the Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island, New York on the 7th and 8th August 1984. Starring Jesse Borrefo, Billy Hufsey, Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson, Valerie Landsburg, Nia Peeples and Gene Anthony Ray.

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. In the U.K. part 1 of the concert was broadcast as the final episode of the season. Part 2 didn't air until 5 months later!

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.

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.

Original air date in U.S.A 27th October 1984

Original air date in U.K. 19th August 1985, Repeated on The Children's Channel Broadcast Autumn 1992

Original air date in France 24th January 1996

1. "The Heart of Rock and Roll" – Performed by Billy Hufsey, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Gene Anthony Ray, Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson & Valarie Landsburg

2. "Come Go with Me" – Performed by Carlo Imperato

3. "Get a Job" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray

4. "Book of Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey

5. "The Great Pretender" – Performed by Jesse Borrego

6. "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" – Performed by Carlo Imperato

7. "Teenager in Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey

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

9. "My Boyfriend's Back" – Performed by Nia Peeples

10. "Leader of the Pack" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg

11. "Mr. Lee" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg, Nia Peeples & Janet Jackson

12. "Chapel of Love" – Performed by Janet Jackson

13. "The Boy from New York City" – Performed by Nia Peeples, Valarie Landsburg & Janet Jackson

14. "Heartbreak Hotel" – Performed by Billy Hufsey

15. "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" - Performed by Billy Hufsey

16. "Can't Help Falling in Love" - Performed by Billy Hufsey

17. "Jailhouse Rock" Performed by Billy Hufsey

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

19. "Rock Around the Clock" – Performed by Oren, Julia Waters & the Waters

20. "The Stroll" – Performed by Luther Waters & the Waters

21. "The Loco-Motion" – Performed by Maxine Waters & the Waters

22. "The Monkey Time" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters

23. "The Twist" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters

24. "Walking the Dog" – Performed by Luther Waters

25. "Disco Inferno" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters

26. "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters

27. "Footloose" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters

28. "Holding Out for a Hero" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg

29. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey & Carlo Imperato

30. "Help!" – Performed by Carlo Imperato

31. "Eleanor Rigby" – Performed by The Waters

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

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

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

35. "The Heart of Rock and Roll" (Reprise) – Performed by Billy Hufsey, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Gene Anthony Ray, Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson & Valarie Landsburg .