Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band The Spinners and Vocal Group Hall of Fame band Little Anthony and The Imperials shared the audience during their performance at H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center on Thursday. 

The Imperials took the stage before the Spinners with a strong set list including “Tears on My Pillow,” “Hurt So Bad,” “Take me Back,” and one of the songs that contributed to the band getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, “Going Out of My Head.” 

“People know the songs, they sing along, they applaud, but as wonderful as you all are, not many of you know who we are,” Jerome Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine said.

Little Anthony proved to be quite the entertainer throughout the night as he kept the crowd involved between songs by cracking jokes and inquiring where the subway was in downtown Shippensburg. 

While few members from the early Imperials are still performing, “Little Anthony” was grooving like no time passed since he joined the band. Former members of The Imperials have since been replaced with well-qualified individuals including “La La Land” star Johnny Britt. 

As soon as the Spinners claimed the stage following Little Anthony and The Imperials, the band remained true to its name with tightly choreographed dances to hit songs “Working My Way Back to You,” “I’ll Be Around” and “Mighty Love.” 

In comparison to Little Anthony and The Imperials, The Spinners chose to fill their time with more music and less banter. 

Tenor Ronnie Moss was challenged by bass singer Jessie Peck to break the spotlights with the final high notes in “It’s a Shame.” While the spotlights did not break, Ronnie still managed to impress the crowd with his crystal-clear falsetto. 

The Spinners saved “The Rubberband Man,” its most energetic and anticipated song, for last to end with the crowd on its feet.

Henry Fambrough, the last surviving member of The Spinners, much like “Little Anthony,” could hit the high notes with ease and keep up with the energy of the slightly younger replacement members, showing the crowd that good R&B and Soul music can keep people feeling young.

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