An excited crowd of over 700 people filled every available space around the stage and beyond as fans, both old and new, came to see and hear Decades take them on a lively musical journey highlighting favorite rock ‘n’ roll hits going back seven decades at the fourth in a series of Marine Park Summer Concerts held near the Carmine Carro Center on Wednesday, August 10th.
The oppressively hot weather finally subsided to create a perfect summer evening and everyone, it seemed, came out to listen to this popular band, reputed to have their own fan club and following, perform two sets of about 15 songs each, with an eclectic mix of great hits such as “Runaround Sue,” “Everyday People,” “Love Train,” “Play that Funky Music,” “Simply the Best,” “Son of a Preacher Man,” “Respect,” “Life is a Highway” and many more.
Band member Robert Hannan would often introduce each song with some interesting information and mentioned that one song they covered, “Tighter, Tighter,” was originally performed by Alive N Kickin,’ a once popular band from the area that locals remember to this day.
The spirited music was in the genre of classic rock ‘n’ roll and high energy dance-rock. It was suited for dancing in the streets, and that’s what many parkgoers did as they got up and danced with glee on both sides of the stage. Couples and children were freestyle dancing on the right side, while the Brooklyn Line Dancers, regulars at these concerts, performed a more synchronized dance performance on the left. A great time was had by all.
Decades band members were Josephine McKenna on vocals; Robert Hannan on keys, guitar and vocals; Adam Connelly on bass and vocals; Vinny Scali on guitar; and Pat Wolf on drums. Hannan said that all members were originally from Brooklyn, but he and McKenna currently reside in Marine Park.
“Decades specializes in upbeat dance tunes from today’s artists and reaching back through the decades,” Hannan said, adding that they have been playing around the Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, New Jersey and upstate areas for the past eight years.
The performance was part of a free summer concert series presented by Assemblywoman Jaime Williams in partnership with many other Marine Park community and civic organizations, elected officials, NYC Parks and other sponsors.
Community Board 18 District Manager Sue Ann Partnow, Councilwoman Mercedes Narcisse, Millennium Development Executive Director Paul Curiale, Board Chair of Marine Park Alliance Maria Carro-D’Alessandro, Marine Park Director Margot Perron, NYPD 63rd Precinct, STEP Team students and others were there with the assemblywoman to say a few words, help with the raffle or support the event.
The last performance of the Marine Park Summer Concert Series will be performed by rhythm and blues band Sound Affair on Wednesday, August 24th at 7 p.m. Rain date is August 25th.