Gary US Bonds, Gene "Daddy G" Barge & Friends
The Norfolk Sound Reunion
Norfolk’s own Gary US Bonds returns home for a reunion concert event celebrating Norfolk as the birthplace of Rock & Roll. Bonds’ hits include “School is Out," "School is In," "Dear Lady Twist," "Twist, Twist Senora," "Seven Day Weekend" and many more. What few know is that in 1963 Bonds headlined a European tour with a group of relative newcomers … The Beatles. Gary’s influence over the Beatles sound, and later Bruce Springsteen’s, is considered the catalyst for modern day Rock & Roll. That sound, “the Church Street sound,” will rock the stage of the Attucks for this once-in-a-lifetime reunion concert event!
Gene Barge, aka “Daddy G,” was born in Norfolk and was a founding member of the The Church Street Five during the 60s. With his alto sax, he’s played with all of Rock’s greats from Fats Domino, Bo Diddley, Ray Charles, and The Rolling Stones. In 1964, after seven years of teaching, Gene Barge was hired as a producer, arranger, sax player and musical contractor for Chess Records. Some of the artists with whom he was involved were Little Milton, Fontella Bass, Muddy Waters, Billy Stewart, Koko Taylor, the Dells and the Soul Stirrers. He also launched Natalie Cole’s triumphant career and won a Grammy award for co-producing Cole’s “Sophisticated Lady” (1976).
