The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Isn’t it nostalgic?
Valentine’s Day concert invites you to relive music of decades gone by with The Chiffons and other artists
Valentine’s Day is going to be “One Fine Day” this year as The Chiffons along with other ‘50s and ‘60s musical acts come to Lorain County for a heartshaped night of fun.
“Pop, Rock &. Doo Wopp Live! — An Evening of Love Songs” takes place Feb. 14 at the Lorain Palace Theatre.
“This is going to be great,” said Judy Mann Craig, cofounder of The Chiffons, calling from New York City. “Every now and then we get to see each other again. And now, the ‘60s music is dying out. Our audiences, of course, are in 60s age bracket and up. So whenever we get to see one another, it’s a good time.”
Sharing the stage that night with The Chiffons (“One Fine Day,” “He’s So Fine,” “Sweet Talkin’ Guy”) will be former lead singer of The Platters, Sonny Turner (“Only You,” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “With This Ring”), The Skyliners (“Since I Don’t Have You,” “This I Swear,” “Lonely Way,” “Pennies From Heaven”), Emil Stucchio & The Classics (“Till Then”) and The Shades of Blue (“Oh How Happy”).
Craig said it’s unbelieve to think that next year marks the 60th anniversary of The Chiffons.
“I’m telling you, the fact that people are still remembering the things you did back then is crazy, but a lot of people love us,” Craig said. “We just got back from doing a show at a casino in Connecticut to a really great crowd. The people really enjoyed it. They loved it because it brings back so many memories.
“One man was telling us he met his wife when ‘He’s So Fine’ came out. They got married and have been married ever since. I have a lot of those stories. That’s why I like doing it still today because it makes people happy. We need that right now in this world, some happiness.”
Any happiness today is somewhat tempered by what The Chiffons experienced firsthand decades ago. Craig said she can relate to what is portrayed in the Academy Award-nominated movie “Green Book,” which deals with an black artist’s experience during the 1960s driving through the Jim Crow South.
“We encountered stuff,”
Craig said. “We did some places in the South where our own people couldn’t sit on the floor of the theater to see us. They’d have to be up in the balcony.
“And one time we got ran out of the town because the show was integrated. We had white and black acts. We got off the bus to get something to eat, and they came with shotguns and told us to get back on the bus and get out of their town.”
The reality is the music of The Chiffons and Motown provided a soundtrack to the Civil Rights era with certain experiences leaving Craig confused about motives.
“I think the only thing I can say is it has a lot to do with ignorance,” Craig said. “Some places you go, they would be calling us names. Then when they found out we were The Chiffons, they’d change their tune. It was like, now that you know we made a record, why are we different now? Why now do you want an autograph?
“Before that, you were calling us names. We went to a place in Florida, and the promoters took us to a restaurant out to eat and they were saying, ‘Oh, they’re letting blacks in here now?’ Something like that. So you don’t let those things affect you because you have to keep it in your mind that’s ignorance.”
As far as the ‘50s and ‘60s music still finding audiences, Craig said she knows the secret.
“The music back then, in my opinion, is very innocent and fun,” Craig said. “Now, a lot of the music isn’t so fun. That’s why our songs are still relatable today, because of the fact it was great music.”
Nevertheless, you’d better believe every day is “One Fine Day” for Craig.
“There you go,” Craig said. “I’m still here, and I can still do it, so I’m happy.”
“The music back then, in my opinion, is very innocent and fun. … Now, a lot of the music isn’t so fun. That’s why our songs are still relatable today, because of the fact it was great music.” — Judy Mann Craig, cofounder of The Chiffons