Vintage R&B Group to perform at ‘Icons Of Soul’ – A Birthday Celebration For Winston ‘Merritone’ Blake
NEW YORK – Vintage American R&B group The Manhattans, known for stirring hits such as ‘Kiss and Say Goodbye,’ ‘There’s No Me Without You,’ ‘Feel So Good to Be Loved So Bad,’ ‘Hurt, ‘Dance to A Love Song’ and popular classic ‘Shining Star’ will serenade music maestro Winston “Merritone” Blake at his birthday celebration in New York on Saturday, November 8th 2008, in what should be a glowing tribute to the Jamaican music stalwart.
The event billed ‘Icons of Soul – a birthday celebration for Winston Blake’ will take place at New York’s newest hotspot, Magonville located in Queens, New York.
Mikey Sterling, CEO of R5 Radio (93.5fm, New York), who will coordinate the birthday celebrations said, “Winston Blake is a icon in our entertainment industry. For more than 50 years, he has made an impact playing to crowds in Jamaica as well as the Diaspora. What better way to celebrate his birthday and to honor his legacy than to have a group that has played an integral part of the musical landscape in Jamaica, perform live for him and his adoring fans” Sterling said.
Manhattans
Originally from New Jersey, the Manhattans garnered instant fame with their first single “For The First Time” that was released in 1964. The group has since released a number of popular songs but it was their 1976 released “Kiss & Say Goodbye,” written by Blue Lovett with the impassioned vocal by Alston and a memorable opening rap by Lovett that became a #1 chart-topper in the USA and endeared them to music lovers in Jamaica.
Blake, who will do what he does best on the turntables, will deliver Merritone’s wide repertoire of R&B and Jamaican classic hits, which made them Jamaica’s premier sound system and a phenomenon among music lovers worldwide.
