GLADYS KNIGHT, O'JAYS ADD SOULFUL FLAIR TO 31ST ANNUAL SEASIDE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES HOSTED BY BROOKLYN BOROUGH PRESIDENT MARTY MARKOWITZ
On Thursday, July 23, 2009, the 31st annual Seaside Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy/Seaside Park, hosted by Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, will feature the classic sounds of Gladys Knight and The O'Jays. The Seaside Summer Concert Series in Brighton Beach-Coney Island and Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series in Crown Heights have entertained hundreds of thousands of residents over the past three decades and remain the largest free concert series in the New York metropolitan area.
"Music brings us together! In fact, the borough that rocks together flocks together, which is why I have looked forward to hosting free concerts every summer in Brighton Beach-Coney Island for more than three decades and Central Brooklyn for 27 years now," said BP Markowitz. "From Seaside's superstar lineup of Daryl Hall & John Oates Up Close & Personal Tour, Donna Summer, Blondie and Pat Benatar to MLK's Keyshia Cole, Robin Thicke, Teena Marie, The O'Jays, Anita Baker and Sean Paul, stars that perform the world over are thrilled to take the stage in Brooklyn, USA. And even though I always promise that this year's lineup is the most exciting ever, this summer will really be the best!"
The great ones endure, and Gladys Knight has long been one of the greatest. Few singers over the past 50 years have matched her unassailable artistry. This seven-time Grammy winner has topped the pop, R&B, and adult contemporary charts with hits like "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "That's What Friends Are For," and she has also triumphed in film, television and live performance. Knight has recorded nearly 40 albums, and in 1995 earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the BET awards.
The O'Jays are living legends and America treasures. After more than 40 years of recording such international hits as "Back Stabbers," "For the Love of Money," "Darlin' Darlin' Baby," "Love Train," "I Love Music," "Use Ta Be My Girl," and "Have You Had Your Love Today," Eddie Levert, Sr., Walter Williams, Sr. and Eric Grant show no signs of slowing down. And like fine wine, the O'Jays just get better with age. In 2004, the O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and a year later into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Seaside Summer Concert Series is held Thursday nights at 7:30 pm at Asser Levy/Seaside Park at West 5th Street and Surf Avenue opposite the New York Aquarium. Seating is limited so attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. A limited number of $5 rental chairs in a specially designated area are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series is held Monday nights at 7:30 pm at Wingate Field on Brooklyn Avenue between Rutland Road and Winthrop Street. Seating is limited so attendees should bring chairs. Performers are subject to change without notice. Call the concert hotline for updates at 718-222-0600, or visit www.brooklynconcerts.com.
Seaside Summer Concert Series Schedule
July 16
Salute to 40th anniversary of Woodstock: Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Mountain, John Sebastian
July 23
Gladys Knight, The O'Jays
July 30
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Connie Francis, Stewie Stone
August 6
Daryl Hall & John Oates - Up Close & Personal Tour
August 13
Blondie, Pat Benatar, with special guest The Donnas
August 20
Salsa Night
August 27
Donna Summer
Martin Luther King Jr. Concert Series Schedule
July 13
Keyshia Cole, Lyfe Jennings
July 20
Love Train The Sound of Philadelphia - The O'Jays, Russell Thompkins Jr. & the New Stylistics, Jerry Butler, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes
July 27
An Evening with Anita Baker, Charlie Wilson
August 3
Robin Thicke, Jazmine Sullivan
August 10
Teena Marie, Jeffrey Osborne, Special Guest Ruben Studdard
August 17
Gospel Night - Dedicated to the memory of Reverend Timothy Wright
Yolanda Adams, Israel Houghton and the New Breed
August 24
Caribbean Night - Sean Paul, "King of Calypso" The Mighty Sparrow