The Chi-lites, the Delfonics and Billy Paul are performing at the Classic Love Concert, which takes place at Arrow Hall. Meadowvale vocalist Liberty Silver as well as Jassette Haughton, Jakki James and Carl Henry are also on the bill.
The Delfonics were one of the first soul groups to help define the Philadelphia sound. Formed in the 1960s by brothers William and Wilbert Hart as well as their friend, Randy Cain, the band vaulted into fame when it released the song, La La Means I Love You on Bell Records.
In 1970, the band won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance for the single, Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time). It reached no. 3 on the R&B singles chart, no. 10 on the Billboard pop chart and also charted in the United Kingdom.
A popular song, it has been covered by Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle. It was even covered by New Kids on the Block in 1986.
Speaking of hit songs, the Chi-lites burst onto the Chicago music scene with the tunes, Have You Seen Her and Oh Girl. Founded by Marshall Thompson, Creadel Jones, Eugene Record and Robert Lester, the group started its career as the Hilites before switching its name to honour the Windy City.
In 2005, founding member Record died of cancer.
Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z sampled the group's song, Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So), for use on the massive Beyonce hit, Crazy In Love. To hear the band's new music, visit www.chi-lites.info.
Rounding things out is Billy Paul. His biggest hit was, arguably, Me and Mrs. Jones, a controversial song at the time that spoke about adultery.
Although it was banned from a few radio stations, it earned Paul a Grammy Award in 1973 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Silver is a singer with a booming six-and-a-half-octave voice that has never fit neatly into any musical categories. She crosses many genres when singing, including jazz, blues, R&B and country.
Included among Silver’s credentials are a concert at the Indy 500 with Roy Orbison, co-hosting the World Basketball Championship opening ceremonies with Allan Thicke, two Juno Awards, three Genie Award nominations and co-writing and performing the Olympic themes for the 1996 Games in Atlanta and the 2004 Games in Athens.
Show time Saturday is 8 p.m. Tickets cost $59-$79.
Call Ticketmaster at 416-870-8000.
For more information, visit www.jdfrentertainment.net.
cclay@mississauga.net
