“You don’t remember me, but I remember you

it was not so long ago, you broke my heart in two

Tears on my pillow, pain in my heart 

Caused by you, you....”

— “Tears on My Pillow” lyrics

•

FRANKLIN — One of the very few doo-wop groups to maintain success on the rhythm and blues and pop charts throughout the 1960s, Little Anthony and the Imperials left no doubt that they can still pack a vocal punch after a powerful performance Feb. 13 at the Smoky Mountain Center for Performing Arts.

The show, which drew about 500 people, lasted 75 minutes and, despite cheering from the crowd that was on its feet, surprisingly did not include an encore.

The two top song performances of the night — undoubtedly — were of their hits “Hurt So Bad” and “Goin’ Out of My Head.”

Besides the excellent singing and backup harmonies, the show was backed by an excellent nine-piece band.

The concert was preceded by some film clips that were played on big screens flanking each side of the stage, including a riveting performance of “Hurt So Bad” on Ed Sullivan’s television show in 1958.

The concert began with an overture, featuring the best-known of the group’s songs.

Then Little Anthony strode onto the stage to much applause and began — sadly — singing “All By Myself,” which was ended when The Imperials joined him on-stage and the quartet, all smiles now, launched into “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”

That was followed by the group’s mega-hit, “Tears on My Pillow” and another of their big early hits, “Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop”

Three other major hits later performed during the show included “Hurt So Bad” and “Goin’ Out of My Head” and “I’m on the Outside Looking In.”

Still other hits performed were “Take Me Back” and “I Miss You so.”

Besides the vocals, especially the harmonies, the group’s choreogaphy and the tight band, a highlight of the concert was the frequent reminisces of Little Anthony and others in the group about their songs — and what they saw happening in the music scene over the past 50-plus years.

The group also performed admirably with their renditions of some more modern songs, such as The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” with which they closed the concert.

Little Anthony and the Imperials have been inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and have received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

— Reviewed by John North