Concert wows enthusiastic crowd

One couple brought their own instruments to back up the singers.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- The weather cooperated and so did the crowd as the Vocal Group Hall of Fame presented its annual post-induction concert in the city's Chestnut Avenue parking lot Thursday.
From the reaction as Mary Wilson of The Supremes led the crowd of about 2,500 in a rendition of the national anthem that made the hair on your arms stand up and The Lettermen led the audience in a rousing rendition of "America The Beautiful," it was clear that feelings were high.
Rudy Bender of Hubbard said he nearly missed the concert.
He thought it was scheduled for tonight and was at home when he saw a television newscast saying the concert would soon start.
"I said, 'Forget about cutting the grass'," Bender said and he and his wife, Caryn, headed for Sharon.
"We were here last year," he said, noting that, after that show, they got to meet some of the guys from the groups who performed.
Why he came: Bender said he's a doo-wop fan.
"I'm amazed at the age of these guys who sing. Some are 70 or 80, but the voice is still there," he said.
One couple brought their own musical instruments to back up the artists.
Catherine Morelli of Mercer and Ken Bobuk of Pittsburgh played along with the groups from their seats more than halfway back through the crowd, Catherine on the tambourine and Ken on the maracas.
"It's so fabulous that now we can finally give them [the vocal groups] their due," Morelli said, adding, "I think we're lucky to attract something like this in the area."
More excitement: The crowd seemed to back her enthusiasm, rocking along with The Vogues out of Turtle Creek to "Five O'Clock World" and roaring with approval when the three original members of The Lettermen -- Tony Butala, Bob Engemann and Jim Pike -- appeared on stage in their Lettermen sweaters.
It was the first time the three sang together since 1967, Butala said.
It was also reunion night for The Vogues, with the four original members of the group -- Chuck Blasko, Bill Burnette, Hugh Geyer and Don Miller-- singing together for the first time in 30 years.