Happy Together Tour Brings 60s Icons to Talking Stick Resort

July 20, 2018

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Bands perform Encore at Happy Together TOur 2018 at Talking Stick Resort — Bands perform Encore at Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Stick Resort

Review and photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents
Venue: Talking Stick Resort – Grand Ballroom
Date: Friday July 13^th, 2018

I would like to dedicate this review to my wonderful sister, Sharon. She is a few years older than me and she introduced me to music at a young age. I was exposed to the 60s music by her and fell in love with it. Being a child of northern Ohio, I got to listen to CKLW (AM radio station out of Windsor, Canada) a lot, especially in the car (cars back then only had AM radios). CKLW would play the top 40 hits and many of the songs from tonight’s show would be played a lot. We also got to see and hear these bands on TV on the Ed Sullivan Show and Dick Clark’s Band Stand. Tonight’s show was a mini festival with 6 different groups from the 60’s being represented. It was nice that they had a backing band and only the main artists would have to change between sets. Each band got about 15 minutes which translated into 4 songs. While the main act, Flo & Eddie (Howard (Flo) Kaylan & Mark (Eddie) Volman) of The Turtles got 5 songs. It was disappointing that Eddie was unable to make this part of the tour due to illness and we wish him a speedy recovery. So, Flo asked his friend, Ron Dante from The Archies to join him in Eddie’s place. Prior to each act, they would run a taped announcer that would introduce the next band and give a little history of the band and their hits and album charting.

Susan, Paul and Bob Cowsill performing in Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Stick Resort

The first up was The Cowsills. They were a family of musicians that included mom and the kids. If this sounds familiar, the TV show, The Partridge Family was based on The Cowsills. Tonight’s show had 3 of The Cowsills performing, Susan, Paul and Bob. They sang 4 of their hits starting with “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” and ended with “Hair”.

Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere & The Raiders during Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Stick Resort

Next on stage was Mark Lindsay. Mark was the lead singer for Paul Revere & The Raiders. For the last song, the roadies brought out the famous jacket that Mark would wear during the Paul Revere days. I was personal impressed that Mark is such great shape that he was able to kick his foot over his head. Of his songs, “Arizona” got the most fan applauses.

The Association performing in Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Stick Resort

After a minute for mic changes, out walked 3 members of The Association. Bass player Del Ramos and guitarists Jules Alexander and Jim Yester are the current touring members. They sang 4 of my favor songs including, “Windy” “Never My Love and “Cherish” and ended with “Along Comes Mary”.

Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett & The Union Gap performing during Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Stick Resort

Next was Gary Puckett of Gary Puckett & The Union Gap. Gary started his set with my personal favor, “Lady Willpower”. He ended the set with another fan favorite and big hit, “Young Girl”.

Chuck Negron of Three Dog Night performing during Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Sticks Resort

Chuck Negron lead singer from Three Dog Night came out and did his 4-song set, starting with “Celebrate”. During the set, he told us about his breathing issues and explained that is why he had an oxygen tube. However, it did not seem to affect him as he belted out “Joy To The World (Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog)” that almost everyone in the crowd sang along with.

Ron Dante performs with Howard (Flo) Kaylan of the Turtles at Happy Together Tour 2018 at Talking Stick Resort

OK, now came the main event and organizer of this great 60s festival, Flo & Eddie of The Turtles. Unfortunately, Eddie was unable to make this part of the tour, so Flo got his friend Ron Dante to fill in. Since Eddie was the main singer, Ron provided this function and did incredible job. Flo started the set being his normal crazy self and played cowbell during the first song. As a special treat, Ron Dante sang The Archies’ biggest hit, “Sugar, Sugar” as the crowd sang along. They ended their set with The Turtles biggest hit and the festival’s name sake “Happy Together” with the audience standing, dancing and singing along.

Then came the grand finale and encore where each group came back on stage and did a snippet of one of their songs. Finally, they all got together and sang “Happy Together”.

It was a spectacular 1 hour and 45 minutes of solid music. The sold out, standing room only crowd loved it. I was only allowed to shoot during the 1^st song of each artist. So in-between acts, I would move to the back of the venue and stand with the cheap seat people. A number of the people got out of their seats and were dancing in the aisle at the back of the venue to all of the songs. It reminded me of a Grateful Dead concert with the dancing. The crowd ranged from older members to young people that probably only heard these songs from their parents or grandparents. I was also astounded by just how good these artists still are. Most are in their late 60s and 70s and still have remarkable voices. I was too young and lived in a small town, so I was not able to see these artists during their heyday, so for me it was a great. If you loved the 60s music, then you will love this concert. It is great to go to a show where they sing just fun songs and are not screaming at you, singing about their dead dog or girl/boy that did them wrong.

The Cowsills

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