The Cascades, Platters together in one concert

MANILA, Philippines - When was the last time you went to a concert and had two of your favorite artists performing on one stage together? Very seldom, right? This April 8, music history will be written when the Cascades featuring John Claude Gummoe and the World Famous Platters perform together for the first time in an all-hit dinner concert at the Isla Ballroom of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. Both groups’ music is well-embraced by Pinoy fans from all generations.

John Claude Gummoe, lead singer and chief songwriter of the Cascades, is very excited to return again and perform to what he terms as “The best Cascades fans in the world.”

The Cascades songs are popular worldwide but not as intensely popular in the Philippines. Since the early ’60s, Cascades music has been the staple of jukeboxes, radio stations, karaokes and lately, videokes.

When the first Cascades reunion happened in 2005, the group sold out two shows at the Araneta Coliseum, one at Manila Hotel Fiesta Ballroom and another at Pacific Ballroom Waterfront Hotel in Cebu. The Cascades has been credited for revitalizing the concert industry in the Philippines.

In the same token, the music of the Platters has had massive following not only in the Philippines but worldwide as well since the mid-’50s. Founded in 1953, the Platters was at the height of its career in the late ’50s through the ’60s.

Unlike the Cascades, the all-original Platters has gone to rock ’n roll heaven, but it doesn’t mean the replacements or second- or third-generation Platters are any less good. I would hazard to say even better. The World Famous Platters has been win- ning awards and accolades wherever it performed in the world for the past two decades.

Leader Eddie Stovall and veteran Lawrence “Rooster” Lockard have worked and toured extensively with the Platters including original lead singer Tony Williams. Last year, they sold out shows around America, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Waterfront Hotel in Cebu and at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. When the Cascades and the World Famous Platters hit the stage on April 8 at the EDSA Ballroom, it will be a non-stop string of hits the audience can sing along with and will include the Cascades’ Rhythm of the Rain, Shy Girl, The Last Leaf, My First Day Alone, An- gel On My Shoulder, Dreamin’, Was I Dreamin’, Lucky Guy, Punch and Judy, I Wanna Be Your Lover, Let Me Be, etc. and the Platters’ Only You, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, The Great Pretender, I’m Sorry, The Magic Touch, Twilight Time, Remember When, My Prayer, The Harbor Lights and more. The concert will also feature our very own Rockin’ 60s who for the past three years has made waves in the local concert scene. Added to the Rockin’ 60s line-up are lead vocalist Cholo Santiago (Spirit of 67 and Birth of the Cool) and Cash Manalang of Area One. Tickets to the dinner show are very limited and available at all SM Tickets, Ticketworld, National Bookstores, Ayala Malls, Robinsons and at the concierge at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

The concert is presented by the EDSA Shangri- La Hotel and Steve O’ Neal in collaboration with HDI, Hard Rock Café, Solar News, etc, 2nd Av- enue, Diva Universal, Craft Coffee Workshop, MS for Men, Circles Entertainment, Booma’s Burgers and RJ100.3 FM, the official concert station.