North Tonawanda, NY –The Historic Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center will host singer Bobby Vinton, 79, on Saturday, Sept. 13, beginning at 8 p. m.
Vinton's hits include Roses Are Red (My Love) (1962), Blue on Blue (1963), Blue Velvet (1963),Mr. Lonely (1964), and There! I've Said It Again(1964) which was the last U.S. Billboard number one single of the pre-Beatles era, being deposed by I Want to Hold Your Hand.
During the British Invasion, Vinton had 16 Top 10 hits, while other major artists of the early 1960s struggled to reach the Top 30. From 1962 through 1972, Vinton had more Billboard #1 hits than Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra. Interestingly, Vinton's promotional manager, the late Pete Bennett, (a former business associate and friend of the publisher of this newspaper) also was the Beatles promotional manager in 1967 until 1975.
Vinton's post Beatles-era gold records include Please Love Me Forever, (1967) and I Love How You Love Me (1968). In the 1970s Vinton had Top 40 records with Ev'ry Day of My Life, and Sealed With a Kiss, but but Epic Records dropped Vinton from their label. Vinton reportedly invested $50,000 of his own money to record and promote My Melody of Love. After several rejections by other labels, ABC Records released it and it became a multi-million selling single in 1974. The popularity of that recording led to The Bobby Vinton Show (aired from 1975 to 1978). He was dubbed the Polish Prince. Vinton has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6916 Hollywood Blvd.
Reserved Gold Circle Seating is $72., Reserved Seating $68. Ticket prices include fees. |