Happy Together Tour – Fraze Pavilion – 8/28/25

The popular, 60’s nostalgia tour rolls on for its 16th year

A staple of the summer concert series for over a decade and a half, Happy Together made its annual stop at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering on a beautiful night in August.

Kicking off the show, like they’ve done for many years now, were the Cowsills: brothers Bob & Paul, joined by sister Susan.  They led with “The Rain, the Park, and Other Things,” (which they dedicated to my “flower child” friend, Ann Stevens, a veteran of Dayton radio).  Their set was highlighted by the theme song from Love: American Style (which they originally sang), and a rousing version of the goofy, “Hair.”  The trio’s harmonies are still fabulous.  I only wish they’d play longer (maybe I’ll have to catch one of their NYC club shows).  Be on the lookout for an upcoming interview I’ll be doing with Bob Cowsill about the archival release, Cocaine Drain, originally recorded in the late Seventies, but is only getting it’s official release here in 2025.

There seemed to be less “rock” acts this year (like say the Grass Roots or the Buckinghams of the past).  Instead, this year’s lineup leaned heavily toward the “middle of the road.”  The Vogues were an example.  While “Five O’Clock World” is a pretty snappy tune, the rest, like “Turn Around, Look at Me,” and “My Special Angel,” were heavy on the ballads.

There is something amazing about hearing octogenarian women scream like teenagers.  82-year old Gary Puckett still elicits excitement from the crowd, and got them all to sing along to “Woman Woman,” and especially, “Young Girl.”  When you got it, you got it.

Next up was Little Anthony.  Wow.  This guy is 84 and can still SING.  He was also very funny with his between-song banter.  “Hurts So Bad” was fantastic and he ended with “Goin’ Out of My Head.” 

Jay & the Americans were next, fronted by the third “Jay,” Jay Reinke.  Again, another vocal group that really didn’t rock.  “Come a Little Bit Closer” was good, and man, Reinke showed off his pipes for “Cara Mia.”  Impressive.

The final band on the bill, as has been tradition, were the Turtles.  Except neither Turtle (Mark nor Howard) are well enough to perform anymore.  Instead, you get Ron Dante – best known as the voice of the Archies’ “Sugar Sugar” fame.  Dante does an amicable job, and the Turtles’ songs are good fun (I absolutely love the snarky lyrics of “Elenore.”  

At the end, all six bands came back up to do a snippet of their biggest hit.

The concert was well-attended, begging the question: how long can they keep doing this?  If they do continue, it would be nice for them to shake up the lineup a little bit.  The same bands play the same songs, every year. Either way, Happy Together is still lots of fun.  —Tony Peters