Want to relive the glory days of the 1960s? If so you won’t need a time travel machine. Just hop in your car and head over to the Hicksville Public Library on Sunday, March 8 for a retrospective show that will have you feeling as if you have stepped out of 2015 and right into the psychedelic ’60s.
The narrated show, performed by the band fittingly named Just Sixties, features music, fads, fashions, video clips of pop culture and some audience interaction presented in a family-friendly style to make it fun for all ages.
“What sets this show apart is that we feature all the different sounds of the ’60s in an educational and historical way,” explains band narrator Barbara Trobiano of Plainview. “Our show features live music, video and audio clips and audience interaction with quiz questions.”
Those questions test the audience’s knowledge of an array of subjects from the ’60s, including song titles, fashion, cars and toys from the famous decade. They even play TV sitcom theme music and display clips of food from the ’60s, all while asking the audience to name that song, or guess that food.
“Audience members love it because they become a part of the show,” Trobiano explains.
Just Sixties was formed by drummer and vocalist Rob Gerver, who has been performing ’60s music since forming his first band as an 11th grader back in 1971. By the summer of 1982 Gerver, who by that time was working full time as a math teacher at North Shore High School in Glen Head, decided to form Just Sixties with former bandmates and friends from high school.
“Just Sixties is now the longest continually running ’60s tribute band in the United States,” Gerver proudly proclaims. “For nearly 33 years we have been playing in clubs, festivals, beaches and hosting private parties all across Long Island. It got huge, there were lines out the door for people wanting to hear us play.”
All the while Gerver, and every other member of the band have held down full time jobs during the week, and perform together on weekends. Donny West of Plainview, a member of Gerver’s original high school band didn’t let his day job hold him back when he was asked to join the band.
“Sixteen years ago I got a call from Robby asking me to be in the band,” explains West, a guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist. “I have been playing with them ever since.”
Other members also include Gerver’s longtime friends, guitarist and vocalist Phil Carollo and Ed Bowe of East Meadow, the band’s bassist.
What began as a group of friends performing together has evolved into a real family affair. Gerver’s wife Linda is a narrator for the band, while his son Michael plays keyboard and guitar. Trobiano is the band’s second narrator.
The band’s newest member is Lisa Vetrone, a 21-year-old singer from Glen Cove, who attended the same high school where Gerver is a teacher. Despite her young age Vetrone fits right in with the ’60’s tribute band often proclaiming she was “born in the wrong era.”
After years of performing famous songs from the sixties the tribute band expanded its repertoire six years ago when it began performing the narrated shows.
“We just love it. The sixties is the only decade you can put on a show like this,” said Gerver.
For more information about Sunday’s show contact the Hicksville Public Library at 516-931-1417, extension 105. The free performance begins at 2 p.m. and is first come first serve.
