Pittsfield — No matter what kind of pop music you love to hate, you will find plenty of it in Billboard charts from the 1970s, the decade that gave us songs like “Disco Duck,” “You Light Up My Life,” and “Muskrat Love.” Yes, the 1970s were a bit sullied by these and other notorious radio hits (not to mention all the big-hair bands). But if you come to the Colonial Theatre on Saturday, February 10, at 7:30 p.m., you will hear “The Best of the ’70s,” a pop music show performed with fanatical attention to detail by a very capable 12-piece band, and you will remember why many consider 70s pop music the greatest of all time.
The band for this show is led by three vocalists: Angela Clemmons, Sharon Jerry-Collins, and General Manager of the show Eric Herbst. With Eric on guitar and lead vocal, DizzyFish provides the rhythm section, Angela and Sharon the background vocals, and the Uptown Horns provide exactly the funky vibe you need and expect. With this lineup, the band can cover an exceedingly wide range of repertoire and has done so behind such acts as ZZ Top, Steve Miller, George Thorogood, Three Dog Night, Marshall Tucker, and others.
The members of DizzyFish are Jon Saxon, saxophone; John Zanella, bass; Mike “Cal” Colavolpe, guitar; Tim Lane, keyboards; and Tommy Nagy, drums.
For over 35 years, Angela Clemmons has been singing behind major acts like Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, and Michael Jackson.
Sharon Jerry-Collins has toured the world, recording and performing with people like Billy Preston, Whitney Houston, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, and the band for Saturday Night Live.
Eric Herbst has written and produced original songs recorded by B.B. King and Johnny Cash.
The members of Uptown Horns are Crispin Cioe and Arno Hecht on saxophones, Bob Funk on trombone, and Larry Etkin on trumpet. Based in New York City, this group has credits on over 150 albums, having recorded or toured with the Rolling Stones (“Steel Wheels”); Peter Wolf (“Sleepless,” “Midnight Souvenirs,” “Fool’s Parade” LPs); Joe Cocker (“Unchain My Heart”); Buster Poindexter (“Hot Hot Hot”); James Montgomery Band (“From Detroit To The Delta” LP); B-52s (“Love Shack”); Tom Waits (“Rain Dogs”); Bronski Beat (“Age of Consent” LP); Iggy Pop (“Party” LP); The Communards; Cameo (“Word Up”); Joan Jett (“I Hate Myself For Loving You”); Ohio Players (“Live” LP); Albert Collins (“Cold Snap,” “Iceman” LPs); Robert Plant & The Honeydrippers; Robert Palmer; and, most notably, James Brown, on his Grammy-winning single “Living in America.” They have done shows with groups like The Hollywood All-Stars and The American Vinyl All-Star Band in programs similar to “The Best of ’70s” show.
Hear DizzyFish and the Uptown Horns play “The Best of the ’70s” at the Colonial Theatre, 111 South Street, Pittsfield, on Saturday, February 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. For more information, visit the Colonial Theatre website.
