Gary Lewis and the Playboys are back better than ever

How many artists can brag having over 40 hits in the Philippines? GARY LEWIS and the PLAYBOYS is one. His hits from the 60s and 70s have been a vital part of Philippine music history and have lingered through the years.

Who doesn’t remember “This Diamond Ring,” “Everybody Loves a Clown,” “She’s Just My Style,” “You’re Sixteen,” “Green Grass,” “A Well Respected Man,” “Tina,” “Autumn,” “Sealed with a Kiss,” “Sure Gonna Miss Her,” “The Birds and the Bees,” “Mr. Blue,” “My Special Angel,” “When Summer is Gone,” etcetera? Finally, after the long anticipated wait, this son of world-famous comedian Jerry Lewis is coming back to the Philippines.

My first project when I got into concert promotion five years ago was a GARY LEWIS and the PLAYBOYS concert. I booked him in July of 2003 for two nights in December but got cancelled three weeks prior to the concert dates. My tickets were almost sold out and I got depressed.

I kept a grudge on Gary and didn’t play his songs on my radio show for over a year. Early 2005, I met his new agent and I found out the agent we dealt with in 2003 gave Gary a lot of headaches about bookings and it was her fault and not Gary’s that the concert got cancelled. I immediately erased my grudge and booked Gary. The shows at the Araneta Coliseum and Manila Hotel late October 2005 were a smashing success.

The Philippines is close to Gary’s heart—not only because he sold out his concerts here in the 60’s and three years ago, but also because his first wife was a Filipina (Jinky Suzara) whom he met in one of his concerts. In fact, Gary’s one and only kid is half Filipino.

Internationally, GARY LEWIS and the PLAYBOYS have 25 Top Forty hits, most of which have reached gold status. His albums have sold in excess of 50 million copies. He has appeared several times on the Ed Sullivan show (the holy grail of US TV in the 60’s and 70’s) and in six movies. He has done countless concerts in the 60s and four decades later, still keeps a busy touring schedule.

When I told GARY a few weeks ago that he has to sing certain songs that are not in his current repertoire like “When Summer is Gone,” “You’re Sixteen,” “Autumn” and “Well Respected Man,” when he performs here, he flew from Rochester New York to Nashville (three hours by plane) without hesitation or extra charge and rented a studio so he could rehearse the songs with the PLAYBOYS who are based in Nashville. Wow! I’m so impressed.

GARY LEWIS and the PLAYBOYS will be performing at the Heritage Hotel Sept 5, ALIW Theater Sept 6, New Ynares Center Pasig Capitol, Cebu Convention Center come Sept 12 and CAP Auditorium Davao. This is a show not to be missed. Good seats are still available at all concert venues.