On February 11th the American Cinematheque hosted an evening of Beach Party Movies at the landmark Egyptian Theater in Hollywood with a live performance by ‘me’ and a Q&A by Sheryl Farber of LuxuriaMusic.com. Me and my associate in Hawaii, Charles Brotman, guitarist extraordinaire and owner of Palm Records, co-produced an updated arrangement of a medley of my songs from the films. Maurice Gainen, engineer of my latest album,”Love it Away” was there to assist me with the sound equipment. Much appreciation, Maurice. Thanks to Eric Caiden and Grant Moninger for making it happen and a special thanks to Hal Lifson for enlisting everyone’s support.
Then, on Valentine’s Day ( as well as Chinese New Year; Tiger!) I flew up to San Francisco to sing my medley as well as introduce the title track of my new album at a special showing of Beach Blanket Bingo presented by Will Viharo. Here is the photo of a billboard of the Balboa Theater advertising the evening. Standing with me is my Jered. Hope to see you in the future with more of the same FUN, FROLIC & FRIENDS.
Friends in attendance were: Marlene and Gary, Lan and Pierre + his mom, Celine, Mike and Stephanie, Ross and Bo, and last but not least, Pete.
In addition, thanks Mark, for recording intros for Little Steven’s Underground Garage.
Donna,
It was great to have the opportunity to see and hear you live at the Balboa. The Beach Movie medley was impressive. The finish with Among the Young was every bit as strong as you delivered it in Pajama Party back in 1964. The only thing missing was the bleached blonds of the Nooney Ricket IV band doing coordinated step kicks in the background.
And then you walked the isle singing Love it Away, looking into the eyes of each of us as you sang your heart out. You’re an angel.
I am so glad that you have chosen to share your talents with us once again. I’m looking forward to the day you will sing a full complement of the old songs you sing so well plus the new compositions you are bring forward now.
And let’s not to forget husband Jered. Thank you for sharing and supporting Donna’s return.
Mike
I just received my Love It Away CD in the mail today. It has a tri-fold jacket with a photo of Donna in the middle. It is not a photo that you have seen yet and all I can say is OMG. This is not your father’s Donna Loren. She has got to be one of the sexiest women on the planet and she is not afraid to show it.
I was reading the liner notes for the Summer Beach Party CD and Donna says “I don’t believe in going up there and sticking a bikini on and shaking around.” Either that was Dr. Pepper staff talking in 1964 or Donna has overcome her shyness.
Awesome Donna, absolutely Awesome.
Moondogy still loves singing and dancing on the beach like back in the 1960s.
You all really had a great show in San Francisco, so keep on singin’ and we’ll keep on lovin’ your music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8UI_X-Mk1M Donna Loren “Among The Young” Pajama Party1964
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MThUNudOWs8&feature=related Muscle Beach Party “Muscle Bustle” 1963
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk3ZN3dSeDk Beach Blanket Bingo song 1965
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9pgqWTnD6I&feature=related Beach Blanket Bingo “New Love”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Z6SjR14Nk&feature=related Beach Blanket Bingo “I Think You Think”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D83X98jt_VQ&feature=related Beach Blanket Bingo “Fly Boy”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Wf2df0zOQ&feature=related Beach Party song 1963
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4W9bgh19Ys&feature=related Frankie & Annette “Because Your You”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9ZRvb8LJsk&feature=related Donna Loren 1965 “It Only Hurts When I Cry” in the movie Beach Blanket Bingo 1965
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrYO_aCN4Ow Donna Loren in Japan “Hard To Believe” 1985
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=durq6orWzPI Hurriganes “My Only One”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ-wN37G2rs Donna Loren 2009 “It Only Hurts When I Cry”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM8hg7JSZJc&feature=related Gene Chandler “You Left Me”
What is Moondogy doing now these days:
Moondogy learns to play a Valentine on his Guitar in 2009
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=840NbiFF1zM&feature=player_embedded Kina Grannis “Valentine”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3lnntSl-cY&feature=related Kina Grannis Teaches you to play her love song “Valentine” on her guitar tutorial
Moondogy learns to dance to a Bad Romance in 2010.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-kaaucJU2I Lady GaGa “Bad Romance American Music Awards
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kqeu0O7rCE&NR=1 Lady Ga Ga Choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jriPfJt54qQ Choreographer Laurie Ann Gibson teaches you to dance like Lady Ga Ga to song “Bad Romance” tutorial
Warmest Sunshine Sixties Music Concert
(sponsored by the children of the sixties)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QkuHTyFTnA Kathy Kirby “Dance On 1963
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrK5u5W8afc&feature=related Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” 1965
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWHMEOgl-rQ&feature=related Lulu “To Sir With Love” 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrjxMg2IiGA&feature=fvw Lulu “To Sir With Love” 1967
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4IdDmayilw&feature=related Manfred Mann “If You Gotta Go Go Now” 1965 written by Bob Dylan
Really great show in San Francisco you and your crew were wonderful and you sang like a real heartbeater
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NncZqB0e7b0 Donna Loren “Call Me” 1966
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM-QsTqPpNE&feature=related Jay and the Americans “Come A Little Bit Closer” 1964
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz-6fLWcAwI&feature=fvw Petula Clark “My Love” 1965
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL1BB-dnoo8&NR=1 Tom Jones “It’s Not Unusual” 1965
Wish I could have been in Hollywood for this.
On a totally unrelated note, thank you sooo much for adding all the video and T.V. clips to your website. It is awesome!
-Shassie