Performing Friday, May 1, 2015, at 8 pm, at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino
By Lola Rossi
Get ready for a night of dancing to your favorite Disco tunes from the 1970s. The last time KC and The Sunshine Band performed with The Village People at Fantasy Springs, was on July 6, 2013, when KC and The Sunshine Band received a Star on the Walk of Stars in Downtown Palm Springs in front of See’s Candy, one of KC’s favorite shops. You can read more about KC and the star dedication in the July 3, 2013 issue of this paper at CoachellaValleyWeekly.com/Valley Rhythms.
Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Harry Wayne Casey, grew up in a musical environment. “My Mother was more musical than my Father,” said KC, “I have one Sister, but she doesn’t sing. However, it was because of her wanting to take piano lessons that our Father finally bought us a piano.” Like a lot of musical families, his Mother played a little piano and many of his relatives sang and also played instruments at family gatherings. “My Mother loved music. She loved to dance and always encouraged me to do the same.”
Fortunately, KC grew up during the days when music was in elementary school, junior high school and high school. “I loved music. It is an art, and an outlet of creative expression. I believe it is very important to keep musical arts alive within the school system to allow musically-inclined children to further their knowledge and work on their craft, while going through school.”
He always wanted to be an entertainer and is very thankful for his God-Given talent. KC wrote lots of our favorite Disco dance tunes with Richard Finch, a partnership that lasted for over 10 years. Hits included “Rock Your Baby” sung by George McCrae; “Get Down Tonight”; “That’s The Way (I Like It)”; “Shake Your Booty”; “I’m Your Boogie Man”; “Keep It Comin’ Love” and “Please Don’t Go”. These songs are still popular today and brought KC out of retirement. “It’s a pleasure traveling around the world and knowing that my music has made an impact. It was an honor getting the star on the Walk of Stars in a city that I not only have a home in, but love with all my heart.”
The Village People was the creation of French producer Jacques Morali over 38 years ago. He wrote a few songs and approached singer/actor Victor Willis to record them. The music was very well received. Morali and his business partner Henri Belolo saw the need for a group to dance and be back-up singers for Willis. Auditions were held and six “Macho Man” types were chosen.
“The members in the group needed to be dancers or singers and eventually, we learned to be both,” said original member, Alex Briley, the Military Man from The Village People. “We have such a mixed audience and had great success with taking our music to the Underground Discos in the beginning.” They had hits with “Y.M.C.A.”, “Macho Man”, “Go West” and “In The Navy”. “We perform extensively and really appreciate our Fans. A lot of times we see people in the audience with better costumes then we have, it’s like Halloween at some of our concerts.”
They still have a cult following for the movie, “Can’t Stop The Music” that came out in the early 1980s. “The movie is a loosely told story of how the Village People came together with some pretty good production numbers. In Australia, they show the movie twice a year.” The fans dress up in costume and mimic the various scenes in the film, similar to the Rocky Horror Picture Show, with disco music.
The Village People tour all over the world. “No matter where we perform, it is still nice to be accepted at home, here in the States. We love working with KC and are looking forward to the show. Come in your dancing shoes and be ready to party.” See you at the Concert…
Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway in Indio. For tickets call (800) 827-2946.
