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The Happy Together tour, which was created by David Fishof in the mid-eighties, has become a tradition for many baby boomers who crave the music of the sixties. Every year the tour, which consists of The Turtles (Flo & Eddie) and numerous other 60s pop bands, rolls into cities across the U.S. Patrons often show up in tie-dye attire and hair-challenged men wear hippie wigs. Adding to the atmosphere, vendors sell vintage records, cassettes, scented candles, clothing, and pop art memorabilia.
The tour has become a Rock At Night tradition in the last decade. Thanks to COVID, the world hasn't experienced the tour since 2019 (our last show experience was 2017). So the kick-off of the tour at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, had a special significance as baby boomers again met to break bread with their favorite sixties artists.
As I arrived to the theater on June 1st, the lobby was buzzing with boomers. Having spent a lot of the last two years masked and indoors, it was nice seeing this many seniors out and about - smiling and full of life. A few crochet vests, boots, and of course, tie-dyed shirts were observed, but this year, people seemed to be wearing mostly street attire. Only a few wore face masks since the requirement has been lifted in our state.
The first band that appeared promptly at 7 p.m. was The Cowsills, which consisted of Bob, Paul, and Susan Cowsill. During the evening The Cowsills sang hits like "The Rain, the Park, And Other Things," "Indian Lake," "We Can Fly", and "Hair/Let the Sunshine In" (from "Aquarius"). During the "Hair" song the videos on the screen behind the band included ads for Dippity Do, Glemby Girl Salons, and hair styles of the day.
Between songs the band quipped and said, "We changed it up. We're telling jokes." Susan Cowsill asked, "Why did the alligator wear a vest?" As the audience shook their heads, she responded, "Because he was an investigator." After hearing a roar of "ah's" and laughter, I knew it would be a nostalgic evening of music and "Dixie Riddle Cup" jokes.
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I really enjoyed the show - and so did the audience which gave many standing ovations during the evening. The performances were truly amazing and I was blown away by the voices - real, pure, and without Auto-Tune, people. It truly is WORTH going to see the Happy Together tour so I urge people to catch it this summer. Go alone or bring your parents for an evening of sing-along songs and AM radio nostalgia - I did!
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