By Wendy Hunter, Journalist, and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer – Rock At Night, Tampa
Happy Together Tour – The Turtles, The Cowsills, The Vogues, Little Anthony, Jay & the Americans, and Gary Puckett – Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Florida – May 30, 2025
The Happy Together Tour began in the mid-1980s and has been well-received by concertgoers, as well as by Rock at Night. My memories of the tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall last year are not just about the fantastic tunes sung by the performers, but also the joy exuded by the listeners. It was the happiest audience I had ever seen in all my years of attending concerts. Attendees this year were mainly silver-haired seniors, with even a few dressed in ‘60s garb. Last year’s tour included Joey Molland, an English musician and songwriter, and the last surviving member of the group Badfinger. Molland passed away this year, but he is on the thoughts of many this go round of the tour.
I settled into my seat and awaited the first group. The stage was set with a large monitor, a drum kit, two keyboards, and both a lead and rhythm guitar for a backup band for all the performers. The crowd gave a welcoming round of applause when Susan, Bob, and Paul Cowsill kicked off with their memorable ’67 hit song “The Rain, the Park, & Other Things.” Paul was even more energized than last year’s show, and all watched as he bounced about the stage throughout the performance. The trio’s on-point and powerful vocals and guitar work made their music a delight. Other memorable songs included “Indian Lake,” “Love American Style,” and “We Can Fly.” Their last song, “Hair,” brought them cheering and clapping, and by the time the song came to an end, most listeners were on their feet showing The Cowsills their love.
The crowd was overjoyed by the next group, The Vogues. It would be tough not to be impressed by their tight vocal harmonies and hit songs. The group kicked off with their first song, “Five O’Clock World,” which was #4 in the USA in ’65, and the listeners immediately began clapping in unison. Dressed in matching attire (so popular for groups in the ‘60s), the songs sung by Troy Elich, Royce Taylor, and Elliott McCoy carried us back in time. Additional hit songs included the dreamy “My Special Angel” and “Turn Around, and Look at Me.” During the final song, “You’re the One,” black and white videos on the stage monitor showed the younger Vogues while the audience stood clapping and singing along to this powerful trio.
Gary Puckett, a Florida resident, was up next with his ’68 #1 hit “Lady Willpower.” Puckett’s robust voice was strong as he moved about the stage singing to sections of the audience. The poignant love tune “Over You” was followed by “This Girl Is a Woman Now,” demonstrating Puckett’s emotional baritone voice. Next up, Puckett noted that the song “Woman” was his favorite. It was favored by many of the listeners, too, garnering vigorous applause and whistles. Puckett’s final tune, “Young Girl,” was No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in ’68 and was met with many listeners rising from their seats with applause.
Next up, Little Anthony walked on stage sporting an eye-catching glittery jacket. He promptly began singing the ’58 doo-wop song “Tears on My Pillow.” His excellent trumpet player and backup vocalist provided support. Anthony called out, “Welcome everybody, I’m back here again!” which prompted a warm greeting from the listeners. Anthony gave 100% in his performance. The best part was his incredible vocal range, matched with a high-pitched tenor with a wide vibrato. His voice was just as I had remembered it years ago. The listeners rose to their feet and clapped wildly several times during his performance. The next tune, “Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop,” was admittedly “not his favorite” per Anthony, but was well received. However, the ’65 songs “Going Out of My Head” and his finale “Hurt So Bad,” both with a lead in by the trumpeter, were beloved by the concertgoers. The audience was wowed, and a standing ovation with whistling and clapping followed.
Next, Jay and the Americans took the stage, bringing with them a blend of doo-wop, rock, and pop, as well as a hint of Latin music flair. Jay Reincke (lead vocalist), Sandy Dean, and Marty Sanders then delivered us some sweet memories. First came the song “Only in America,” followed by “She Cried,” and “Cara Mia.” During their ’64 hit song “Come a Little Bit Closer,” the audience stood and sang along. Then came their most beloved song, “This Magic Moment.” As the stage monitor displayed a younger band dressed in a similar style as the performers, their synchronized voices carried the concert-goers away. The band was met with whistles and cheers by the standing audience.
Who doesn’t remember the love song “Happy Together?” The Turtles were up next. However, an announcement advised that Mark Volman would not be performing due to illness. Rock and Night sends well wishes to Mark, and we will miss the joy he brought to the stage just as in previous years. Ron Dante, formerly of The Archies, backed by an on-point guitarist, began the set with the song “She’d Rather Be With Me,” followed by “Sugar Sugar” from the Archies catalogue, which engaged the listeners to sing too! “Sugar Sugar,” released in ’69, topped Billboard‘s Hot 100 (for 4 weeks). During the song, the stage video also ran cartoons of the Archies group. The next tunes were “You Baby” and “It Ain’t Me Babe,” during which the audience began singing along. The pop-fantastic tune “Eleanor” followed, and it seemed that the entire audience was clapping and singing along, as well as with the final song, “Happy Together.” All featured groups gathered on stage, then, for the finale, they sang specific songs to the cheers from the audience. The audience sang happily together as if it were the Summer of Love all over again.
If you long for the music you heard when you were younger, then the Happy Together Tour will scratch that itch. There is nothing as dynamic as live, pure music, especially when songs about love and joy accompany it. So, if you want to travel back in time or just have some fun, this tour might just make your day a happy one.
PHOTO GALLERY
