A Vibrant Bankhead October Bringing Big Names to the Tri-Valley
Fresh off the heels of its most successful Gala Fundraiser to date with comedy great Jason Alexander, Livermore Valley Arts will continue to bring star names and star brands to the Tri-Valley in the early 2023-2024 season. From one of the greatest soul duos of all time, part of the soundtracks of our lives, The Righteous Brothers on Wednesday and Thursday, October 11 and 12, to an afternoon of big band music with beloved pianist, composer, and Emmy Award-winning radio and TV host John Tesh on Sunday, October 22, to reliving a musical classic that touched so many during its record-breaking 35-year Broadway run at The Four Phantoms on Friday, October 27, The Bankhead will be bringing some absolute icons to entertain and thrill the Tri-Valley this autumn. These phenomenal performances will all be at the beautiful Bankhead Theater (2400 First Street) in Downtown Livermore, CA.
That Lovin’ Feelin’ is back – The Righteous Brothers will be live in Livermore for not just one, but two performances this October! With a string of #1 classics, including the most played song in radio history, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield topped the charts in their four decades as blue-eyed soul pioneers. After Bobby’s death in 2003, Medley continued to perform to sold-out crowds around the world, but fans and friends pleaded with him to keep The Righteous Brothers alive. As Medley said, “No one could ever take Bobby’s place, but when I caught Bucky Heard’s show, it all came together – I found the right guy to help me recreate the magic.”
The Bill Medley/Buddy Heard pairing came as something of a happy accident. Medley also recalls, “it just seemed right… I’d been friends with Bucky for years, but when I caught his show, he just killed me! The next day it hit me – that’s the guy, someone I could sing hard with, laugh hard with, love and respect – on and off stage. He fits The Righteous Brothers’ live performance show perfectly. And we’ve even recorded some new material together. I‘m really excited!” This unforgettable experience on October 11 and 12 will feature their biggest hits – “Lovin’ Feelin’, “Soul & Inspiration,” “Unchained Melody,” “Rock and Roll Heaven,” Medley’s Grammy-winning Dirty Dancing theme “The Time of My Life,” and many more. Livermore Valley Arts is honored to be able to present stars of this magnitude right here in the Tri-Valley.
A week and a half later, after than more than three decades as an international entertainer, John Tesh’s recording and live concert career, continuing to thrive today, will be thrilling The Bankhead with his Big Band Live performance. Whether at the solo piano or with a 12-piece ‘big band,’ Tesh’s ability to create a unique journey for concert fans with music and storytelling has taken him from the Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Colosseum in Rome to Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center, in addition to garnering him six music Emmys, two Grammy nominations, four gold records, seven Public Television specials, and 8 million records sold. Audiences do not want to miss this afternoon of exceptional music and entertainment with Tesh’s signature style, blending contemporary and traditional big band music in a speculator performance that will have them tapping their feet and humming along in Livermore on October 22.
Soaring voices. Legendary songs. Pure emotion. Closing out October, the Great White Way comes to Livermore with The Four Phantoms. Long before there was Hamilton, there was The Phantom of the Opera, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, of Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar fame. Even after a record-breaking 35-year run, this show still has not lost its appeal and finds new fans – Phans – to this day.
The Four Phantoms is a stunning musical touring performance that brings together four of the most talented actors who have each portrayed the iconic title role in The Phantom of the Opera. An extravagant celebration of the iconic music of Broadway and more, this unforgettable evening of entertainment features an extraordinary quartet of performers, including Brent Barrett, John Cudia, Franc D’Ambrosio, and Ciaran Sheehan, under the musical supervision of two-time Grammy Award-winner David Caddick and music direction of Ryan Shirar. This glorious show celebrates the legendary work of the many composers and artists who have made Broadway a truly American art form, and it is also peppered with stories of these performers’ own Broadway experiences. This “music of the night” is a must-not-miss event on October 27, when Broadway comes to The Bankhead.
For tickets or more information regarding all shows please phone (925) 373-0600 or visit www.LivermoreArts.org.
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Photo caption: The Righteous Brothers (Bucky Heard and Bill Medley) will perform at The Bankhead Theater on October 11 and 12, 2003.