The Wave’s Soulful Summer

Events — By Lamar Webster on August 24, 2015 at 5:54 am

By Lamar Webster

On Friday July 3rd FM 94.7 The Wave’s Soulful Summer concert series presented a night of great Old School music at the historic Greek Theatre. The Independence Holiday weekend started off with a line that included R&B acts Blackstreet, Tony! Toni! Tone!, Ginuwine, SWV and Troop. A nice and festive holiday crowd came out to enjoy the sounds of the music.

The show started on time shortly after 7:10 PM with local Pasadena group Troop, and they went through a series of steps and moves that showed they still have it. After a series of a few cover tunes and their own list of songs, they ended on one of their biggest hits ‘All I Do is Think of You’ which the crowd loved. Their synchronized dance moves were a joy to see. The members of Troop are Steve Russell, Jon Jon Herreld, Rodney Benson, and Reggie Warren. They had three number one hits during their peak.

Next up were the ladies from NYC who ruled the charts in the 90’s SWV (Sisters With Voices). The ladies have sold over 20 million records making them one of the 90’s most popular female groups. Their set included quite a few of their hits, and they got the crowd hyped as they started to fill up the seats. The ladies were dressed in nice colored athletic jerseys and were well received by the audience. The members of SWV are Cheryl Gamble (Coko), Leeanne Lyons (Lee Lee) and Tamara Johnson (Taj). You’re The One was one of the big hits and the crowd gave them a nice ovation.

Ginuwine was next and this brother came out with two backing vocalist and they ramped it up for the ladies in the crowd. Ginuwine went out into the audience, including the upper level center bleachers, and he stayed out there for almost ten minutes. The ladies went wild. I must say with his athletic body, he still got his classic dance moves and still got that swag.

The first act to play with a live band were Bay area natives Tony! Toni! Tone!. They came on stage with a large sized band, including a female violinist. With their list of hits, they turned the night into a nice party atmosphere. The original members included Timothy Christian Riley (drums) and Dwayne Wiggins (guitar). However Raphael Saadiq is not touring with the group.

The headliners Blackstreet, also came onstage with live band. The group was tight, and after a few song selections Teddy Riley introduced former member Dave Hollister who had been backstage. Hollister was really warmly received by the audience, and proceeded to sang lead vocals on some of the groups’ biggest hits. The four BS members proceeded to do their dance moves and gave the people a rousing show. They also did a medley of songs that Teddy had written for other artist like Keith Sweat and Johnny Kemp. If Blackstreet comes to your town this summer, check them out, they are a hot live act.

All in all this night was a great start for the Soulful Summer concert series for 94.7 The Wave.