Singer, songwriter, producer and filmmaker Kenny Vance has made music his life for nearly seven decades. In his directorial debut “Heart & Soul: A Love Story”, Kenny documents the impact of Doo-Wop, the vocal harmony masterpieces of teenage artists from the 1950’s and 60’s which is fast fading from history. The genre formed the bridge to today’s popular music and youth culture. When not touring Kenny resides in Palm Beach County. He recently shared highlights from his career when I visited with him.
“I’m originally from Flatbush, Brooklyn. My earliest introduction to music began when I was 13 listening to Doo-Wop groups that were starting to emerge in the 1950’s. In 1954, following his success in Cleveland, DJ Alan Freed moved to WINS (1010 AM) in New York City. Freed introduced a new era of youth-oriented music. He started to play this music and it created a revolution.The music spoke to me and to a whole generation. Freed’s on air Rock ‘n’ Roll Dance Party featured singing groups including the Chantels (one of the first female R&B vocal groups to have nationwide success) and Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, whose recording of ‘Why Do Fools Fall in Love’ reached No. 1 on the R&B chart. Doo-Wop was created by 13 year olds who really thought that they were emulating music created by older Black R&B artists. Many veteran musicians would play instruments on these records where the vocalists were young teenagers. When you hear these records now, they have a lasting presence. The sound was something magical that was probably created by accident. In 1956, Freed presented the first rock ‘n’ roll show at the Brooklyn Paramount and headliners included Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Frankie Lymon. I remember going to that show. Thousands of kids packed the theater. I came away from that concert transformed. The birth of rock ‘n’ roll happened right there in Brooklyn”.
Kenny recalled the start of his own career in the music industry.
“I have fond memories of the Brill Building, located at 1619 Broadway in the heart of New York’s music district. The Brill Building is a name synonymous with an approach to songwriting that changed the course of music. It was the top of the food chain in terms of the music business. All the music publishing companies were located there. I wanted to break into the record business so hanging out at the building seemed like the thing to do. I was 15 at the time and didn’t know anything about show business but I knew I wanted to make a record. You could invest $300 and make a recording in the hopes that the disc would sell a million copies. I formed a group called The Harbor Lights and we made a couple of records. Around this time I started singing with Jay Traynor, Sandy Yaguda and Howie Kane. We auditioned in the Brill Building for Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the famous songwriting and record producing duo. Leiber and Stoller were two of the greatest record producers of all time. They wrote hit songs including ‘Hound Dog’ (originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton), ‘Yakety Yak’, ‘Kansas City’ and several songs for Elvis Presley including ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘King Creole’. Leiber and Stoller gave us the name Jay and the Americans and recorded us for United Artists. I never would have had this opportunity without the Brill Building connection. In 1962, we had a hit with ‘She Cried’. After Jay Traynor left the group, Jay Black joined us and other hits followed including ‘Only in America’, ‘Come a Little Bit Closer’, ‘Let’s Lock the Door’, ‘Cara Mia’, ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ and ‘This Magic Moment’. On February 11, 1964, we opened for the Beatles in Washington, D.C. It was their first concert in America. After the concert we took a train back to New York with the Beatles. When we arrived at Penn Station there were thousands of fans waiting for the Beatles’ arrival. During my ride home later that night I remember thinking, ‘Wow, what just happened’! We also opened for The Rolling Stones when they performed at Carnegie Hall. Fate has so much to do with everything”.
Kenny reflected on his career after leaving Jay and the Americans.
“I left Jay and the Americans after 13 years in 1973 and recorded my first solo album for Atlantic Records, titled ‘Vance 32’. My introduction to the film industry began in 1978 when I was hired as the music director for the biographical film ‘American Hot Wax’. I had the opportunity to interact with the film’s stars including Jay Leno, Fran Drescher, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and others. It was like reliving my youth as we recreated the Alan Freed show I attended at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater back in the 1950’s. My film career also included producing the soundtracks for ‘The Warriors’, ‘Animal House’ and ‘Eddie and the Cruisers’. In 1980 I was hired as the musical director of Saturday Night Live and was privileged to showcase artists like Aretha Franklin, James Brown and Prince to a new generation. In 1992 I started The Planotones. The name was recreated from the fictional group that was created 14 years earlier for ‘American Hot Wax’. Last year we performed during the Winter Dance Party in Clearlake, Iowa. The show took place in the same showroom where Buddy Holly gave his final performance before his death”.
Kenny expressed why he created “Heart & Soul: A Love Story”.
“Throughout my career I would film footage from my tours. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy destroyed my house in Rockaway, however the footage miraculously was preserved. I took this as a sign and spent the next 10 years creating ‘Heart & Soul’. As a musician, it is my mission to document the history of Doo-Wop music and share this fascinating story as I experienced it. If the significance of this music and its creators are not recognized, it risks being lost not only to us but to future generations. ‘Heart & Soul’ was one of the award-winning films during the Garden State Film Festival in New Jersey. I’m hoping my film will get mainstream exposure and capture a whole new audience. The film is not only entertaining but historically enlightening”.
Kenny shared the role Judaism has played in his life.
“When I was growing up my family was not observant, however we did follow the traditions of lighting Shabbat candles and singing songs during Hanukkah. In the 1980’s I got involved in Chabad and often went to Chabad-Lubavitch World Headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn where I had the opportunity to meet the Rebbe on several occasions. I have a photograph of the Rebbe with me. That was a real eye-opener for me. This was authentic Judaism. I embraced it and kept going back”.
Kenny shared his words of wisdom.
“If God gives you some talent, be humble. It takes tremendous strength to be humble. All of the professionals I have worked with have been a blessing for me”.
In the near future Kenny Vance will be appearing live at Movies of Delray during the screening of his film, “Heart & Soul: A Love Story”. Further details (including showtimes and an announcement of Kenny’s appearance) will be printed in an upcoming issue of the Jewish Journal and on the Movies of Delray website, moviesofdelray.com
