Fabulous Fleshtones & Bradini to perform at Summer in the City John Wooley World Entertainment Writer 07/17/1998

Preview

 

Event: Summer in the City, featuring the Fabulous Fleshtones, Hot Rod & the Cruisers and magician-illusionist Bradini

When: 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Green, Third Street and Boston Avenue, downtown Tulsa

Admission: free

Since the mid-’80s, singer-saxophonist-harmonica player Jim Zachary, lead guitarist-keyboardist Ken Baldwin and bassist Steve Dayringer have been together in one rock band or another. At one stretch, they were playing together even when they didn’t have any paying gigs, doing it just for the love of it.

All during that time, however, one thing they never thought they’d play was oldies music.

“Really,” said Dayringer recently, “it was the farthest thing from our minds.”

So several years ago, when singer-guitarist Jeff Nix called Baldwin about playing in a ’60s band, Baldwin was a little surprised.

“I went over there to check out the band, and when I got there, Jeff said, `You happen to know a lead guitarist? You know a bass player? You know a drummer?'” recalls Baldwin with a chuckle. “It was just Jeff and (singer) Mike Kimbrell at that point. Luckily enough, I did know a lead guitarist and a bass player and a drummer.”

And so, with the addition of Baldwin, Dayringer and Tulsa-based drummer Steve Gosnell, the Fabulous Fleshtones were born. And a few years later, the group began what would become its best- known gig, the annual Summer in the City celebration.

The Fabulous Fleshtones are scheduled to play from 8 until 11 p.m., with Hot Rod & the Cruisers, another oldies band, performing from 3 until 4:30 p.m. Bradini’s show runs from 6 until 7 p.m., and there’ll be other attractions at the site for kids and adults, including KC the animated robot,and a classic car parade beginning at 4 p.m. Concessions will be available; no outside coolers allowed.

Summer in the City is produced by Downtown Tulsa Unlimited, presented by Pepsi and co-sponsored by Jim Norton Buick, Billy’s Pi, Bill’s Little Brisket House, Jack’s Confections, and Knotty Pine BBQ. Call 583-2617 for more information.