CAPE MAY – On Wednesday, Aug. 9, Grammy-winning singer Aaron Neville takes the stage in the Cape May Summer Concert Series. The show will be held at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave., Cape May, beginning at 8 p.m.
With a distinctive tenor voice and charisma to spare, Aaron Neville has experienced success as a solo artist and a member of vocal group. His solo success began with the release of his 1966 single “Tell It Like It Is,” which hit Number 2 on the United States Billboard Hot 100 and Number 1 on the United States R & B chart. The song’s performance resulted in an opportunity to tour with Otis Redding, but the failure of the record company that produced the song temporarily sidelined the talented singer.
Another opportunity presented itself in the late 1970s, when Neville and his brothers provided harmonies and some of the instrumentation on The Wild Tchoupitoulas, an album featuring George Landry and members of his Mardi Gras Indian tribe. The Neville brothers began touring on their own and released The Neville Brothers album with Capitol Records in 1978. A number of studio, live and compilation albums followed, including the critically acclaimed Yellow Moon, which featured “Healing Chant,” the winner in the Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards.
In 1989, Neville also had a hit with “Don’t Know Much,” a duet with Linda Ronstadt that hit Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Number 1 on the Adult Contemporary and Pop Sales charts. The single sold over 900,000 copies in the United States, hit Number 1 in Canada, Ireland, Australia and several other countries, and won the 1990 Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. Neville balanced the demands of his group and solo careers for another 25 years before deciding to leave the Neville Brothers. After playing a farewell show at the Hollywood Bowl in 2012, the Nevilles showed their affection for their hometown of New Orleans by reuniting in 2015 for a “Nevilles Forever” all-star jam during Jazz Fest. More than 50 years after his first hit, Neville continues to move crowds and “Tell It Like It Is” with his unique voice.
Tickets for this and all other summer concerts are $42 for reserved seats and can be purchased in person at Cape May Convention Hall, 714 Beach Ave. or online at DiscoverCapeMayNJ.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/capemaycity and follow us on Twitter @capemaycity. For more information, call (609) 884-9563 or (609) 884-9565.