Oh I wonder, wonder, wonder…A wop bop a loo bop…Whooo, whooo, whooo, whooo.
The Bronx Wanderers make a stop at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 15, at 8 pm.
The group presents a high-octane Rock ‘n’ Roll experience with hits from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, especially Golden Oldies, Doo Wop, and Pop Ballads. Consider it “Partridge Family meets Jersey Shore.”
Ticket prices run from $43 to $78.
Although they specialize in music from the previous century, The Bronx Wanderers didn’t form until the early 2000s. Vinny Adinolfi Sr. — who grew up in the shadows of Yankee Stadium and the salumerias on Arthur Avenue back when Doo Wop groups sang on street corners — decided he wanted to perform after a career producing records for such stars as Billy Joel, Tony Orlando, and Dion. So he put together his own group with his two young sons, Nick (drums) and Vinny Jr. (guitar, keyboards).
The act breathes new life into timeless classics while offering a stage show full of funny stories, family interactions, and film montages of Bronx streets and Mafia films. The band has a loyal following, doing gigs around the United States, mostly at performing arts centers and casinos. They even had residencies at Las Vegas venues.
QPAC, which is currently celebrating 57 years of operation, is located at 222-05 56th Ave. in Bayside. The newly renovated theater has seats for about 900 people. A large parking lot is nearby.
Editor’s note: Nick left the band. Current members include Vinny Sr. and Jr., Joe Bari (saxophone), Mike Benigno (drums), and Fernando Tort (bass). Don’t be surprised if they all wear black for the concert.
Images: The Bronx Wanderers