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. Boys Medley:

"Come Go with Me" – Performed by Carlo Imperato  

"Get a Job" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray  

"Book of Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey 

"The Great Pretender" – Performed by Jesse Borrego  

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

"Teenager in Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey  

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

3. Girls Medley:

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

"Leader of the Pack" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg 

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

"Chapel of Love" – Performed by Janet Jackson

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

4. Elvis Medley:

"Heartbreak Hotel" – Performed by Billy Hufsey

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

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

"Jailhouse Rock"  Performed by Billy Hufsey

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

6. Dance Medley

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

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

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

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

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

"Walking the Dog" – Performed by Luther Waters

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

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

"Footloose" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters 

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

8. Beatles Medley:

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

"Help!" – Performed by Carlo Imperato

"Eleanor Rigby" – Performed by The Waters

"Here Comes The Sun" -Performed by Jesse Borrego 

"Come Together" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray

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

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

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