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Review by Janel Spiegel
State Theatre Center for the Arts Presents:
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
&
The Grass Roots
November 8, 2024
453 Northampton Street, Easton, PA 18042
Easton, Pa was full of energy tonight. The legend that is Gary Puckett & The Union Gap along with The Grass Roots performed at the ICONIC State Theatre in Easton, Pa. My equally energetic friend Paula Gallo went along, and sang her heart out, and danced. If there was anyone, I would want to air guitar, and air drum with, it would be Paula… I could think of a few other folks but I digress. The Grass Roots are: Dusty Harvey, Larry Nelson, Joe Dougherty, and Mark Dawson. They were fun. They told stories, sang some of the best songs.
Some of the songs they performed included: “Sooner or Later,” “Two Divided by Love,” “Temptation Eyes,” and more. It was a beautiful show. They also asked all of the Veterans in the audience to stand up, and they acknowledged the Veterans. It was beautiful.
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap opened with some of the accomplishments and memories of Gary Puckett & The Union Gap throughout the years. (My mom played volleyball with Gary Puckett in Miami. She was the President of FBLA, and was sent to Miami. I told Gary Puckett that. He smiled.) Gary talked about the wardrobe, and how they decided what the wardrobe would be. Gary Puckett is 82-years-young, and his VOICE, THE VOICE sounds AMAZING. He mentioned he thought his voice was a bit touch, and go but he sounded beautiful. His band was incredible. Gary Puckett also acknowledged the Veterans. He asked them to please stand up. He had the State Theatre turn the house lights on.
He spoke to the Veterans and thanked them. He sang, “Home” and dedicated it to the veterans. Gary Puckett shared stories about the Bee Gees, his own life, singing, songs, and why he picked certain songs. Some of the songs they performed tonight included: “To Love Somebody” (A Bee Gees cover, and basically a tribute. He spoke highly of the Bee Gees.), “Kiss Me Goodbye” (A Petula Clark cover, and his pick for one of his albums.), “You Better Sit Down” (A Cher cover.), “Lady Willpower,” the audience sang along for this one, and well almost EVERY song. An audience member behind us was SINGING so beautifully. Gary Puckett & The Union Gap also performed: “Don’t Give in to Him,” “Woman, Woman,” and “Young Girl,” which his voice just soars.
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap thanked the audience, and just had so much fun. Gary walked offstage, and then returned. The audience was excited though, and some people left to get in line to meet Gary, and take photos with him. BUT… BUT.. MY FRIENDS, GARY PUCKETT said… Nope, the party IS NOT OVER, this gentleman came back out, and did more than an encore. Paula and I prepared, got up, started dancing, and air drumming, we threw in some air guitar, and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap performed Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming,” and a few more songs that HAD EVERYBODY UP on their feet dancing. Gary Puckett & The Union Gap took us on a musical journey, and we were READY. What a show. The dancing, the fun, the songs, the voice, the audience, and the love for one another. It was beautiful energy. I found out a dear friend passed away, and I just want to say thank you to him for always sharing music.
I grew up with such a variety of music from Old School Hip Hop, Gangster Rap, Oldies, New Wave, Rock-N-Roll, Blues, Hip-Hop, Pop, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz. I will always love music. It saves my soul, and once again tonight, I saw it saves others too. Music is so UNIVERSAL. It brings people together so much. The love for a song, the memories they hold for people. It’s so special. I cried more tonight thinking of things, and thinking after the show, would I ramble on to Gary Puckett, and tell him the story. I did, and me and Paula took photos with Gary. He smiled, and said thank you for sharing that. He said “good memories.”
Only my mom would get to play volleyball with Gary Puckett, and casually run into Al Pacino on the streets of New York. I guess that’s part of why I will always ask questions, and want to do interviews. People fascinate me. Music is my soul. I was so grateful to the State Theatre, the Easton Police, the volunteers, the staff. Everybody was so kind, and helpful. And… Paula… Thanks for being you.
Make sure to check out Gary Puckett & The Union Gap on Tour, and The Grass Roots.
http://www.garypuckettmusic.com/
