Review & Photos – Rebecca Wolf
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccawolfconcertphotos/
A half—century ago, KC and the Sunshine Band thrilled fans with the electricity, energy and feel-good vibes of their new, funky, disco sound. Now, almost 50 years later, hearing the songs performed live, by KC himself and the current incarnation of the Sunshine Band, brings high-spirted, joyful nostalgia to his widespread, devoted fanbase. The audience’s positive energy is not merely due to a love for the music’s spirited, fun-loving rhythmic beats, but rather to the vivid memories and feelings the music evokes. On November 22nd, passionate KC and the Sunshine Band fans, wearing their “Boogie Shoes” and wanting to “Get Down Tonight,” packed Mayo PAC in Morristown, NJ to hear the band’s beloved, feel-good numbers and to get lost in the nostalgia of decades gone-by.
Those who haven’t seen a band or musician for many years often arrive at a performance with an artist’s younger image emblazoned in their mind. Suddenly seeing that performer as a “senior” can be quite disconcerting, the mental picture hard to connect with the visual before them. The passage of time often brings changes in vocal abilities, as well. However, fans’ nostalgia for the music and motivation for attending a performance ultimately have the most significant impact on their enjoyment of a performance, regardless of whether an artist looks or sounds exactly the same.
The Mayo PAC audience was buzzing with excitement from the moment they packed the venue seats and were ready for some good ole’ funky dance music. KC’s voice speaking over the theater’s sound system, letting the crowd know he’d be joining them soon, revved up the crowd even further. Their excitement was met by the dynamic energy and vocal skills of NYNE, keyboardist for KC and the Sunshine Band, whose performed their new collaboration “In the Back of My Cadillac,” setting the stage for the spectacularly vibrant, electrifying musical performance to come. Beyond a musical performance, the neon-colored stage lights, illuminated backdrops, psychedelic-colored clothing, enormous disco ball, and a 12-man Sunshine Band, including dancers, provided a visually spectacular stage experience.
While KC does not look the same as he did “back in the day,” he himself readily admitted this to the crowd, noting about his weight, “My name should now be KFC!” However, he also qualified this with, “I’m no longer 30 years old. You have to add another 20 and another 20…and another 3.” While KC was eager to make light of his current status, he also wanted to assure the younger generation in the audience knew of his former place in music history. “I’m like your parents’ Justin Timberlake,” he said with a broad smile. “Justin and I have the same birthdate. Mine is just 30 years before his!”
Regardless of KC’s age or change in appearance, his overall stage performance was spectacular. Dancing, spinning and parading around the stage over the course of more than two hours, KC impressed with the energy and stamina of many performers half his age. His seemingly boundless energy was equally matched by the dynamic 12-member ensemble of musicians, vocalists and dancers who filled the stage with an abundance of choreographed dance routines and well-coordinated rhythmic movements. Although these performers were not part of the original incarnation of the Sunshine Band, it was clear they have internalized the music, taken it on as their own and are passionate about sharing KC’s musical dreams with the audience.
The enthusiasm of the 12 band members was exponentially reflected back at them by the hundreds of adoring fans, who were on their feet, dancing and singing along…lost in the moment as they traveled back in time. The band played all of KC and the Sunshine Band’s beloved hits, including “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,” “Boogie Shoes,” “Please Don’t Go,” “I’m Your Boogie Man,” “Keep It Comin’ Love,”and “That’s the Way I Like It.” They also performed a cover of George McCrae’s 1974’s “Rock Your Baby,” the number one Billboard Hot 100 song written and produced by KC (Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch) which became the start of KC’s hit songwriting career. “John Lennon said “Rock Your Baby” was one song he’d wished he’d written,” KC proudly shared with the audience.
More than fifty years since the start of his musical career and the formation of KC and the Sunshine Band, Harry Wayne Casey has every reason to be proud of his catalog of disco, funk hits, his devoted fanbase and the the joyful, uplifting nostalgic memories and feelings his music continues to evoke. If you grew up during the heyday of KC and the Sunshine Band’s music and are longing for the days when you could “(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty,” you definitely need to grab those “Boogie Shoes” and “Get Down Tonight.” “That’s the Way I Like It” and I can assure you that you will, too!
