Roger Brooks was a young English journalist in 1964 when he interviewed the Beatles and on Friday night he found himself in another musical adventure.
Brooks was a last-minute replacement on the Showcase of Talent program before a sold out crowd at La Hacienda Recreation Center.
“I wasn’t supposed to sing tonight,” Brooks said before performing a duet with Diana Arlt on “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”
“Diana said they needed a replacement right away and asked me to go on,” Brooks added. “So I did. It felt great singing in The Villages.”
“I met Roger two days ago and tonight we sang together,” Arlt said. “Things happen fast in The Villages.”
Watch video of the performances here:
Brooks lives in an English seaport town called Poole. Every winter, he and his wife, Freda, stay in The Villages.
“We love the atmosphere here,” he said. “There’s so much to do and so much music.”
Poole grew up in England and had a career in radio and music. In 1964, when the Beatles exploded, he had a chance to interview the band.
“It was tremendous,” Brooks said. “I wish I had taken a picture with them. They were great to talk to; lots of fun. I don’t remember all the details but I remember talking to George Harrison about guitars. He loved to talk about guitars.”
Brooks would go on to became a radio programmer, and over the years worked with Dusty Springfield and other major acts in England. He also once sang on the BBC international radio network.
Brooks still plays in a local English rock band. “We get plenty of work playing the Beatles and Rolling Stones,” he said. “I love rock and roll but tonight we sang a slow, Neil Diamond song.”
The Showcase was filled with golden oldies and entertaining performances.
George Pieper sang “I Have Dreamed” from “The King and I” as Noreen Pieper danced on the stage, looking angelic in an elegant, flowing white costume.
Brian Gillie played the keyboard and rocked out on Bobby Darin’s “Splish Splash.” Terry Kress kept the memories coming with “Popsicles and Icicles,” while Charles Snyder made like Frankie Avalon on “Venus.”
A gang of greasers known as Patrick O’Brien and the Girl Rockers had some fun with “At the Hop,” while Barbara Hanberry put a female twist to Ray Charles’ “Hallelujah, I Just Love Him So.”
Larry Hubbard was in an Elvis mood on “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” and Jim O’Baid paid tribute to Johnny Maestro on “The Angels listened in.”
Dance was a big part of the show.
Armando Ocampo and Vanita Turner brought some modern-day hip-hop moves on Pharrell Williams’ “Happy.”
The Off Broadway Dancers flashed their choreography on a spirited routine to “Crocodile Rock.” The dancers will appear with the Off Broadway Players on March 20-21 at Savannah Center.
