A Tribute to Black History at The Iconic Forest Hills Stadium

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Bandleader Count Basie on piano

Honoring Black History Month in Forest Hills

By Michael Perlman | mperlman@queensledger.com

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 20 and Black History Month from February 1 – March 1, it is additionally significant to honor African American musicians who made history at world-class concerts at Forest Hills Stadium, and achieved an international presence. It is also timely to take a walk and dance in the shoes of hundreds of thousands of earlier generations of concertgoers, who had a first-hand experience at a stadium with optimal sight lines and acoustics, and stars not only above their heads, but intimately in front of their eyes. Over 20 legendary musical acts, included Diana Ross & The Supremes, Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis, Jr, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Donna Summer, and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Diana Ross and The Supremes ad, 1968 Forest Hills Music Festival program

Carter G. Woodson, an African American educator and historian, who is known as the “Father of Black History,” created “Negro History Week” in 1926, when the iconic Stadium was only three years old. One week in February was designated to commemorate the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. However, it was not until 1970 that the initial celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State University, and became national in 1976 when President Gerald Ford, the 38^th U.S. President, encouraged Americans to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor.”

Dionne Warwick from her August 29, 1969 television special

On August 5, 1961, fans of Ella Fitzgerald, an Addisleigh Park resident, afforded the opportunity for excellent seats ranging from $2.25 to $4.50. For the July 13, 1963 engagement, Rolls-Royce limousines accommodated press representatives to and from Manhattan. She performed with Dave Brubeck, and adding to the character of the concert experience was the widespread scent of “My Sin.” A July 18 “Jet” publication read, “In keeping with a new arrangement by the producers wherein each night, prior to the performance, the Forest Hills Stadium will be sprayed throughout with the perfume.”

Singer, composer, social activist, and actor Harry Belafonte, who was an East Elmhurst balladeer, appeared on August 25 to August 27, 1961, and had a return engagement on July 31 to August 2, 1964 with singer-songwriter Miriam Makeba. On July 31, he exhibited perfect pitch and flawless tempo, and his repertoire included “Day-O” (The Banana Boat Song), “Every Night When The Sun Goes Down,” “Glory Manger,” and “John Henry.” For the program’s second half, Miriam Makeba, with her graceful movements, performed tunes in English and South African. With a harmonious expression, he performed “Jamaica Farewell” and she sang “The Click Song.” Long Island Star-Journal readers picked up Walter Kaner’s popular column that August and read, “Harry Belafonte pocketed $75,000 for his three shows at the Forest Hills Stadium last weekend. Some 35,000 show-goers shelled out $175,000 to witness his performances.” Belafonte was also known for soulful renditions of Jewish classics such as “Hava Nagila” and “Erev Shel Shoshanim” (Evening of Roses). These songs are staples at weddings and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

Ella Fitzgerald in 1963 Forest Hills Music Festival program

Nina Simone was warmly welcomed on August 3, 1963 and performed favorites such as “Little Liza Mae,” “Porgy,” and “May Man.” Following her was Ray Charles, who was greeted by a thunderous applause. Program numbers ranged from a hushed “The Thrill is Gone” to a swinging “Don’t Set Me Free.” He was accompanied by a 17-piece orchestra and occasionally by The Raelettes, his female vocal group. The 1963 Forest Hills Music Festival program called him “a living musical legend on ABC-Paramount Records.”

On August 27, 1966, Ray Charles set a box office record at the Forest Hills Music Festival and was joined by the 15-piece Ray Charles Orchestra and The Raelettes. Another noteworthy appearance was by Frederick Nelson III, a six-year-old organist who performed a spirited “Wade in the Water” and “Watermelon Man.”

Ray Charles & Nina Simone, August 3, 1963 concert ad

“The world has known two authentic musical geniuses. One was Beethoven and the other is Ray Charles,” said Sammy Davis, Jr in a public statement around that time. Also, in a LIFE magazine seven-page feature, he was praised with the following statement: “Every singer in the business draws from Ray Charles, but no singer has it or dispenses it the way Ray Charles does.” He was nicknamed “The Genius of Soul” and considered one of the world’s most popular artists since his hit tune, “Georgia On My Mind.” Two decades later, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which stated, “Charles used his explosive musical talent to combine gospel and blues into the then non-existent genre of soul. To him, soul music was a way of life.”

Johnny Mathis’ August 4, 1962 concert featured hits including “Misty,” “Wild Is The Wind,” and “Come To Me.” His August 10, 1963 show marked his only New York appearance and his commitment to donate half of his earnings to Reverend Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Highlights were “Wonderful, Wonderful” and “Marla.”

On August 21, 1965, Mathis performed a medley of his classics consisting of “Chances Are,” “Twelfth of Never,” “More,” and “When Sunny Gets Blue.” Several numbers were complemented by a chorus of eighteen talented children known as the “Young Americans” who also engaged the audience with a warm-up of songs and much laughter, and a focal point was the moving rendition of “Shenandoah.” A 30-piece orchestra was the ideal fit for Mathis and the Young Americans. Mathis also performed in 1961, on August 4, 1962, August 15, 1964, and on July 8, 1967.

Sammy Davis, Jr in 1966 on The Perry Como Show

Also performing at the Stadium was pop music group The Exciters, which sang their hit “Tell Him” on August 28, 1964. Carl Holmes & the Commanders took the stage on August 28, 1965, and one of their hits was “Mashed Potatoes.”

N.Y. Amsterdam News ran the Forest Hills Giveaway contest in 1966. It stated, “Your letter must be postmarked by August 15 if you expect to be in the judging for free tickets to see The Supremes, The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder the evening of August 20 at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium. Don’t despair, however, if your letter doesn’t get in on time. You have until August 22 to enter the contest to win free tickets to see Ray Charles give a concert at Forest Hills on August 27.” For a 200-word or less entry, a fan had to write “Why I would like to see The Supremes in concert” or “Why I would like to see Ray Charles in concert.” A free ticket was offered to a total of 25 winners for each concert, thanks to Forest Hills Music Festival producer Leonard Ruskin. He said, “We feel that in this way many people who might not otherwise be able to attend the concerts will be able to.”

Trade ad for Ray Charles single ‘Yesterday’ in Billboard, November 4, 1967

In 1966, Stevie Wonder was only 15, blind, played the harmonica, piano, and drums, and sang with earthy vocals and blues sentiment. Around 1969, he resided in Birchwood Towers at 102-10 66^th Road. The Supremes, consisting of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard, were recognized as a highly polished and sophisticated singing group. Although known for their rock ‘n’ roll style, their repertoire largely consisted of ballads. Originating from the south, The Temptations are a quintet that was acclaimed for graceful choreography and great voices.

The era offered unique ads, such as one from the summer of 1966 announcing the July 8th and 9th concerts, which read: “You don’t have to fly to San Juan; You don’t have to drive to Kiamesha Lake; ‘cause you can see Sammy Davis (Jr.) with Count Basie and His Orchestra and Jay & The Americans right here at the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium.” Sammy Davis Jr, who also appeared on August 11, 1962, was a singer, actor, comedian, and dancer, and is noted for his impressions of other celebrities. On July 17 to July 19, 1965, Count Basie opened with Frank Sinatra. On July 25, 1964, Count Basie performed numbers such as “April in Paris,” “Swinging Shepherd Blues,” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Basie is remembered as a jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and organist, and was the recipient of nine Grammys. He was the foremost musician of the Big Band “Swing” era.

On July 8, 1966, William B. Williams, “the voice of WNEW Radio,” introduced crooner Sammy Davis, Jr. as the “world’s greatest entertainer.” He rhythmically snapped his fingers and sang “This Will Be My Shining Hour,” which came true. During his second number, “Change Partners,” he carried a mic as he walked to the lawn distinguishing the stage and the audience. Then he shifted to a humorous monologue, Anthony Newley, Rodgers and Hart, and R&B tunes, and left the audience wanting more. He later starred in “Super Night at Forest Hills,” a 1977 televised musical comedy, where he is joined by Arthur Ashe in a play, Alan King and Buddy Hackett portraying old-time tennis pros reuniting, as well as Andy Williams who commemorated tennis through songs.

The Four Tops, 1968 Forest Hills Music Festival program

The Four Tops, a male vocal quartet from Detroit that performed on July 29, 1967, were memorable for their hand-clapping, foot-stomping, and thigh-slapping, as evident in their lyrics in “Shake Me. Wake Me” and “Reach Out and I’ll Be There.” Other tunes were “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “In The Still of The Night,” and “I Can’t Help Myself.” A great energy swept the stadium with one of the groups that helped popularize the sound of Motown of the 1960s. The Four Tops also appeared with Marvin Gaye and King Curtis and His Kingpins on August 24, 1968.

The Jimi Hendrix Experience opened for the Monkees on July 14 to July 16, 1967, which was unique since their style was distinctive between acid rock and a pop band, respectively. On July 16th, Hendrix threw down his guitar and exited from Monkeemania, and tour promoter Dick Clark was left speechless. During one of his performances, he envisioned concertgoers to sing along with “Foxy Lady,” but instead they screamed “Foxy Davy,” being obsessed with Davy Jones of the Monkees. Hendrix left the tour amicably, and it was not a total loss, since his hit “Purple Haze” climbed the U.S. singles chart.

Jimi Hendrix at Forest Hills Stadium, 1967, Courtesy of Forest Hills Stadium

Pop singer Nancy Wilson and the 5th Dimension opened the ninth season of the Forest Hills Music Festival on June 22, 1968. The quintet was recognized for their repertoire ranging from soul to pop, where their blend of rich harmonies granted a five-dimensional sound. The group also performed nearly 20 hits on August 16, 1969 including “California Sun,” “Up, Up and Away,” and “Hair.” An evening highlight was the finale arrangement of “Aquarius” / “Let The Sunshine In,” where the musicians engaged in groovy dancing and stepped off the stage, singing to fans.

Diana Ross and the Supremes appeared with Stevie Wonder and Shorty Long on August 3, 1968. Diana Ross was the hostess and gave the stage to Shorty Long, performer of “Here Comes The Judge” and “Never Going To Give You Up,” two hits which were enthusiastically received. Stevie Wonder followed with a routine noted for his groovy pace, and began with “Precious Sweetheart,” followed by hits such as “Place In The Sun,” “Uptight,” and an instrumental rendition of “Alfie” on the harmonica. The stadium echoed from foot-stomping and thunderous clapping. “Big Stevie,” who was considered a young veteran of the stage, also self-accompanied numbers on electric piano and drums. Then came “pride of Motown” Diana Ross and the Supremes, who performed a medley consisting of “Stop in The Name of Love,” “Come See About Me,” and “Love Is Here.” That was followed by a humorous performance of “Queen of the House.”

Stevie Wonder, 1968 Forest Hills Music Festival program

From $3.50 to $6.00, fans could see Richie Havens on July 19, 1969. He consolidated soul, folk, and rhythm & blues. He was no match for rock singer Janis Joplin, who placed a Southern Comfort bottle on the piano and told police to get off the stage or she would not sing, and then they backed off. Joplin would blast her songs, but Havens was known for his easygoing tempo.

Dionne Warwick appeared with Sam & Dave, a soul and R&B duo on July 12, 1969. “Soul Man” and “Hold On, I’m Comin’” were among their most popular tunes. At that time, her most popular numbers were Forest Hills’-own Burt Bacharach tunes such as “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again.” She is considered among the 40 largest hit makers of the rock era based on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts.

Donna Summer in the recording studio, September 1977, Casablanca Records

Concertgoers witnessed a surprise package on stage on July 23, 1977, and when it was torn open, Diana Ross emerged. Her ballads consisted of “Send in the Clowns” and “The Lady is a Tramp.” Then she said she would turn the stadium into a discotheque, and hits included “Love Hangover.” The N.Y. Amsterdam News read, “She asked a young man in the audience who was wearing a ‘Diana is Dorothy in the Wiz’ sweatshirt to dance with her, and he, overwhelmed and willing, did just that.” “I love you, Diana” became the rule by fans throughout the evening.

A fan could purchase a $20 ticket for a portal box seat for “A Summer Night’s Dream Show” on July 27 and July 28, 1979 featuring “Queen of Disco” Donna Summer and special guest Brooklyn Dreams. These sold-out concerts brought her hits into the spotlight, including “I Feel Love,” “Last Dance,” “Hot Stuff,” “Love To Love You Baby,” and “Bad Girls.” That month, she topped the Hot 100 singles chart, Billboard 200 albums chart, and the Soul singles chart. She was the recipient of five Grammy Awards.

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