Retro mania strikes again

Retro music fans are in for a big treat tomorrow night when the Village People and Sister Sledge rock the Araneta Coliseum with their classic disco hits like Y.M.C.A., In The Navy, Macho Man, You Can’t Stop The Music, We Are Family and He’s The Greatest Dancer.

The concert, dubbed Retro Mania: Village People and Sister Sledge Live in Manila!, marks the groups’ first back-to-back performance ever.

In the late ’70s, the Village People became a cultural phenomenon. The group represented various icons of masculinity: a cop, a construction worker, a soldier, a Native American, a cowboy and a biker. They sold over 65 million records and were on top of the charts until the early ’80s.

The central characters all existed in the mind of French record producer Jacques Morali long before the performers were hired in 1977.

Before his "dream team" was assembled, Morali had already secured a record deal with Casablanca Records, a studio responsible for producing a series of hits by Disco Queen Donna Summer. Morali hired songwriters Phil Hurtt and Peter Whitehead to compose librettos appropriate for the group.

As a shining testament to the band’s legacy and the enduring popularity of its top hit Y.M.C.A., people worldwide automatically do the popular Y.M.C.A. dance, stretching out their arms to form the letters in the song. Cowboy Randy Jones recalls, "I had no idea in 1978 that the song would have the longevity it has now. It is played at bars, birthday parties and weddings almost every day. I never thought I’d be sitting here 28 years later and someone out there would be dancing to Y.M.C.A. or In the Navy."

So, who’s your favorite Village People character? Let’s get to know them more.

Felipe Rose, The American Indian. Raised a New Yorker, Rose insists that his costume represents his legitimate origins and long-standing association with Native American groups. His mother was a Copa Cabana dancer in the late ’40s. He lives in Richmond, Virginia.

Alexander Briley, The Sailor/Serviceman. He loves to shop and assumes the lead for In The Navy.

Randy Jones, The Cowboy. Prior to his disco days, Jones had already toured the US in classic musicals. In 1977, he got his first break as a dancer in Grace Jones’ act. Producer Jacques Morali saw the show and asked him to join the group as the cowboy. Still very active in the theater circuit, Jones is the only Village People member who still lives in the Greenwich Village area. Jeff Olson replaced him in 1980.

David Hodo, The Construction Worker. Nicknamed Scar after an incident where he nearly burned off his face while eating fire and wearing roller skates, Hodo loves animals and reads a lot.

Glenn Hughes, The Biker. Hughes was working as a toll collector when friends dared him to respond to the Village People ad seeking "good-looking gay singers and dancers with mustache." He is often mistaken for the Deep Purple vocalist of the same name. He died of lung cancer in 2001 and was actually buried in his leather biker outfit. Eric Anzalone replaced him in 1995.

Victor Willis, The Policeman. Willis was lead vocalist of the group from 1977 to 1980. In the late ’70s, he was married to actress Phylicia Rashad, also known as Claire Huxtable of The Cosby Show. He was later replaced by Ray Simpson in 1979.

Presented by SMART Gold, PLDT and Bench in cooperation with Oishi, Mane ‘n Tail, Technomarine and Pagcor, Retro Mania: Village People and Sister Sledge Live in Manila is an ALV Events International and Solar Entertainment production. ABS-CBN, Studio 23, ANC, DZMM, Myx, RJ 100, 97.9 Home Radio, WRR 101.9, Yes-FM 101.1, Crossover 105.1, 96.3 W-Rock, The Philippine STAR and Manila Bulletin are the event’s media partners.

Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets (911-5555) and ALV Events International (633-9825 to 27).