Jerry Vicenti and the Italian Paisans Club are continuing the group’s tradition of bringing popular acts to The Villages.
The club recently announced its lineup for January, February and March as part of its “2020 Spectacular Showcase.” Those acts are:
- Jan. 19: Emil Stucchio & The Classics;
- Feb. 16: New York Bee Gees; and
- March 15: Tom Jones Tribute.
The Classics formed in 1958 in Brooklyn, N.Y., with the group first singing together in high school. Two of the members had performed with The Del-Rays and in 1959, they recorded their first single, “Cinderella.” The group’s first big hit was “Blue Moon,” with Herb Lance singing lead vocals. That song peaked at number 50 on the national charts.
Member Emil Stucchio revived the group to tour in the 1970s, and again in the 1990s and 2000s. Since then, their popularity has continued to grow, as shown by a recent radio survey where they were voted the sixth most popular act out of 500.
The N.Y. Bee Gees are known as one of the legendary group’s premier cover bands. They perform songs from every decade of the Bee Gees catalog and have amazed audiences with their renditions of the Bee Gees’ biggest hits, “Stayin Alive,” “Night Fever,” “Jive Talkin,” “How Deep Is Your Love,” “You Should Be Dancing” and “Night On Broadway,” to name a few.
“A Tribute to Tom Jones” features Lou Nelson and his 8-piece band that includes a 3-piece brass section. Nelson has been a professional entertainer for 25 years, including a time as lead singer for the Canadian rock band Wrabit, which performed alongside the likes of Black Sabbath, Rush and The Guess Who.
Nelson developed a passion for big band arrangements in the 1990s, which led to him performing as the legendary Tom Jones in such prestigious locations as the Rainbow Room at the Rockefeller Center in New York and The Venetian Casino in Las Vegas, among others.
The Paisans sold out all of their 2019 shows and have become known throughout The Villages as a group that brings in energetic, quality acts. All of the club’s 2019 shows sold out, marking the sixth year in a row the group has sold out every show it brings to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown.
Tickets for the upcoming shows are available only for club members. To learn more about the group visit its website at theitalianpaisansclub.com.
