The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll
"The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll" was a two-part special concert episode for the fourth season of the hit TV series Fame. The concert took place at the Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island, New York[1] marking their second concert in the U.S. The first episode was broadcast on October 27, 1984, the second on January 26, 1985. The concert is the first of the season and the first starring new cast members Janet Jackson, Jesse Borrego, and Nia Peeples. With the title of the concert based on the 1984 single by Huey Lewis and the News of the same name, the concert was a tribute to Rock 'N' Roll, past and present.
"The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll" | |
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Fame episode | |
Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 68 (Part I) and 77 (Part II) |
Directed by | Walter C. Miller |
Written by | Ken Ehrlich |
Produced by | Ken Ehrlich |
Original air date | October 27, 1984 (Part I) and January 26, 1985 (Part II) |
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll I
Summary
Billed as "Kids from Fame," the cast from "Fame" perform in their first concert of the season alongside the season four regular dancers. The theme of the first half is a tribute to the history of Rock 'N' Roll through the 50s and 60s including music from the Beatles to the Beach Boys.
Part I Set list
- "The Heart of Rock and Roll" – Performed by Billy Hufsey, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Gene Anthony Ray, Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson, and Valarie Landsburg (Originally by Huey Lewis and the News)
- "Come Go with Me" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by The Del-Vikings)
- "Get a Job" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by The Silhouettes)
- "Book of Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey (Originally by The Monotones)
- "The Great Pretender" – Performed by Jesse Borrego (Originally by The Platters)
- "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers)
- "Teenager in Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey (Originally by Dion & the Belmonts)
- "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay" – Performed by Jesse Borrego, Carlo Imperato, Billy Hufsey, and Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by Danny & the Juniors)
- "My Boyfriend's Back" – Performed by Nia Peeples (Originally by The Angels)
- "Leader of the Pack" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg (Originally by The Shrangi-Las)
- "Mr. Lee" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg, Nia Peeples, and Janet Jackson (Originally by The Bobbettes)
- "Chapel of Love" – Performed by Janet Jackson (Originally by The Dixie Cups)
- "The Boy from New York City" – Performed by Nia Peeples, Valarie Landsburg, and Janet Jackson (Originally by The Ad Libs)
- Tribute to Elvis Presley by Billy Hufsey:
- "Heartbreak Hotel"
- "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear"
- "Can't Help Falling in Love"
- "Jailhouse Rock"
- ---End---
- "Don't Stand Another Chance" – Performed by Janet Jackson
- Tribute to Rock 'N' Rock dances (with the "Fame" dancers):
- "Rock Around the Clock" – Performed by Oren, Julia Waters & the Waters (Originally by Bill Haley & His Comets)
- "The Stroll" – Performed by Luther Waters & the Waters (Originally by The Diamonds)
- "The Loco-Motion" – Performed by Maxine Waters & the Waters (Originally by Little Eva)
- "The Monkey Time" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Major Lance)
- "The Twist" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Chubby Checker)
- "Walking the Dog" – Performed by Luther Waters (Originally by Rufus Thomas)
- "Disco Inferno" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by The Trammps)
- "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Jermaine Jackson)
- "Footloose" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters (Originally by Kenny Loggins)
- ---End---
- "Holding Out for a Hero" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg (Originally by Bonnie Tyler)
- Tribute to The Beatles:
- "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, JesseBorrego, Billy Hufsey, and Carlo Imperato
- "Help!" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "Eleanor Rigby" (Interlude) – Performed by The Waters
- "Come Together" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "All You Need Is Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey
- "The End" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey, and Carlo Imperato
- ---End---
- "The Heart of Rock and Roll" (Reprise) – Performed by The Waters
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll II
Summary
In the second half of the concert, the cast pay tribute to Stevie Wonder featuring covers of his hits ranging from "Fingertips (Part 2)" to "Ribbon in the Sky." Janet performs her brothers' hit "I Want You Back," Nia Peeples covers Pat Benatar's "Fire and Ice," and Jesse Borrego takes on Prince's "When Doves Cry."
Part II Set list
- "Kids in America" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg, Carlo Imperato, Gene Anthony Ray, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey, and Janet Jackson (Originally by Kim Wilde)
- "Infatuation" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by Rod Stewart)
- Music of Motown Vs. the Music of the Beach:
- "Barbara Ann" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by The Beach Boys)
- "Standing in the Shadows of Love" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by The Four Tops)
- "Do You Want to Dance" – Performed by Nia Peeples (Originally by Bette Midler)
- "Dancing in the Street" – Performed by Janet Jackson (Originally by Martha Reeves & the Vandellas)
- "Good Vibrations" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by The Beach Boys)
- "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by Gladys Knight & the Pips)
- "Fun, Fun, Fun" – Performed by Nia Peeples (Originally by The Beach Boys)
- "I Want You Back" – Performed by Janet Jackson (Originally by The Jackson 5)
- "Wipe Out" – Musical Interlude (Originally by The Surfaris)
- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" – Performed by Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson, Nia Peeples, and Gene Anthony Ray (Originally by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell)
- ---End---
- "Fire and Ice" – Performed by Nia Peeples (Originally by Pat Benatar)
- "Stay with Me Tonight" – Performed by Jesse Borrego (Originally by Jeffrey Osborne)
- Tribute to Stevie Wonder (with the "Fame" dancers):
- "Fingertips" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "Living for the City" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Isn't She Lovely" – Performed by Jesse Borrego
- "Superstition" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Keep on Running" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Ribbon in the Sky" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Do I Do" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- ---End---
- "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg and Janet Jackson (Originally by Cyndi Lauper)
- "Dancing in the Sheets" – Performed by Nia Peeples (Originally by Shalamar)
- "Dancing in the Dark" – Performed by Carlo Imperato (Originally by Bruce Springsteen)
- "When Doves Cry" – Performed by Jesse Borrego (Originally by Prince)
- "Ghostbusters" – Performed by Billy Hufsey Carlo Imperato (Originally by Ray Parker Jr.)
- "Fame" – Performed by the "Fame" cast & the Waters
Credits
- Executive Producer: Ken Ehrlich
- Co-Producers: Debbie Allen and Otis Sallid
- Directed by: Walter C. Miller
- Written by: Ken Ehrlich
- Associate Producer: Greg Sills
- Music Arranged, Conducted, and Produced by: Gary Scott
- Dance Consultant: Debbie Allen
- Choreographer: Otis Sallid
- Costumes Designed by: Marilyn Matthews
- Lighting Designed by: Bob Dickinson
- Art Director: Wade Giampa
- Fame Dancers: Derrick Brice, Leanne Gerrish, Nina Goldman, Kimberlee Layton, Joni Palmer, Eartha D. Robinson, Serge Rodnunsky, Michael Rooney, Allysia Sneed, Bronwyn Thomas, Darryl Tribble, Rocker Verastique, and Philp Wright.
and
- The Waters: Julia, Luther, Maxine, and Oren.
- Production Associate: Debbie Pasetta
- Associate Director: Terry McCoy
- Stage Managers: Leslie Jackson and Alan Shevlo
- Set Decorator: Tom Tonery
- Music Production Assistant: Lori Lieberman
- Production Coordinator: Chip Quigley
- Technical Supervisor: Neil Sydor
- Technical Director: John B. Field
- Audio: Terry Kulchar
- Video: Doug Barry
- Make-Up: Jack Wilson
- Hair Stylist: Gloria Montermayer
- Lighting Coordinator: J. Kevin Myers
- Staging Supervisor: Jack Cassidy
- Post Production Supervisor: Frank Merwald
- Consulting Producer: David De Silva
- Videotape Editors: Bill Breshears and Ron Ybarra
- Videotape Facilities: Unitel
- "The Heart of Rock ‘N’ Roll"
by Johnny Colla and Huey Lewis Courtesy of Hulex Music and Red Admiral Music
- "Fame" Dancers Capezio Dancewear
Provided by Ballet Makers, Inc.
- National Advertising Sales
by Lexington Broadcast Services
- A presentation of the Metromedia Network
- "Produced in Cooperation with Kai Radiotelevisione Italiana TV2"
- Post Production Facility Laser Edit, Inc
- Executive in Charge of Production: Ted Zachary
References
- "Television: BBC-1". The Guardian. August 19, 1985. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
FAME: Heart of Rock 'n' Roll. Making a song and dance of this last episode of the series, the Performing Arts School kids rock off to Jones Beach Amphitheatre, New York, to put on a special concert built round three decades of popular music.