“Pare, Betcha By Golly Wow pa lang ulam na!â€
MANILA, Philippines - That was the response I got from a Stylistics fan when I announced I’m finally bringing the guy who sang lead on all the hits to Manila. Who hasn’t heard of the immortal classic Betcha By Golly Wow? Superstars like Prince, Angela Bofill, Ramsey Lewis, Dionne Warwick, Johnny Mathis, Smokey Robinson and a host of other singers have covered the song. There are at least a thousand recorded covers worldwide and the original artist that recorded the hit was the Stylistics.
Founded in 1968, the Stylistics lead singer who has a haunting voice with a soaring falsetto is Russell Thompkins Jr. Throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, the Stylistics recorded a total of 18 albums half of which have been certified Platinum or Gold and 32 Top 20 hits that include Betcha By Golly Wow, You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stop Look Listen, Break Up To Make Up, You Are Everything, You’ll Never Get To Heaven If You Break My Heart, I’m Stone In Love With You, People Make The World Go Round, The Miracle, We Can Make It Happen, Rock & Roll Baby, I Can’t Give You Anything, Let’s Put It All Together and many more.
In 2000, after over three decades with the Stylistics, Russell decided it was time to launch a solo career which lasted just a few years then the Stylistics bug bit him again and he established “Russell Thompkins Jr.’s New Stylistics†with former Stylistics member Raymond Johnson. Russell launched his New Stylistics with lots of pomp and pizzazz on the highly-rated David Letterman show. Since then, they have performed in countless concert halls and venues around the world charming their ever-loyal followers. After two decades, Russell is finally coming to Manila together with original Stylistic Raymond and the New Stylistics that includes a full band with a full horn section. I spoke with Russell recently and requested him to include in their repertoire We Can Make It Happen and The Miracle which he has never performed even when he was with the old group. This is because these songs were hits only in the Philippines. Also included in their set that’s guaranteed to excite any fan of the Stylistics are the classic hits Betcha By Golly Wow, Stop Look Listen, I’m Stone In Love With You, Rock & Roll Baby, Break Up To Make Up, You’re As Right as Rain, You’ll Never Get To Heaven, Peek A Boo, You Are Everything, People Make The World Go Round, You Make Me Feel Brand New and many more. Russell Thompkins Jr. & the New Stylistics will be performing on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, a full dinner show at Isla Ballroom at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel and Feb. 15 at Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World.
(Tickets are now on sale at all Ticketworld outlets, National Bookstores, Ayala Malls, Robinsons, SM Ticket outlets, concierge at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel and Resorts World. Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics is proudly presented by Steve O’ Neal Productions in collaboration with EDSA Shangri-La hotel the official residence, BusinessWorld, HDI, Jack TV, 2nd Avenue, DIVA Universal, Telenovela Channel, IBC13, Air 21, Hard Rock Cafe, Widus Hotel & Casino, IFM and RJ100.3 FM, the official concert station.)