A fun-loving group of Villagers descended on Lake Sumter Landing on Friday for an evening with Rocky and the Rollers.
The popular band, known for taking fans back in time to the popular sounds of doo-wop and rock and roll from the 1950s through the ’70s, is always a huge hit with Villagers, regardless of where they perform.
Friday night’s open-air party was no different, with residents shaking it on the dance floor for hours. It didn’t matter which tune the band was belting out, the area in front of the stage was full of smiling faces taking a trip back in time to the music of their younger years.
“I love coming here,” said Shannon Langhardt, a certified public accountant who lives in the Village of Woodbury. “You get to people-watch and dance. It’s just awesome.”
Villager Mark Muldoon, who was sporting a Led Zeppelin shirt and a hat that would make any rock star proud, said he’s a huge fan of the band.
“They are fantastic,” said the Village of Santo Domingo resident. “I plan on going all around to find them.”
Meanwhile, Villager Simone Reiner, who lives with her parents in the Village of Poinciana, was in her own world as she gyrated on the dance floor.
“I’m having a ball,” she said with a huge smile. “It’s great out here. This place is awesome.”
Rocky and the Rollers has more than 35 years of experience touring around the world while performing at fairs, festivals, conventions, black-tie affairs, concert halls, hotels and clubs. They worked with the late Dick Clark on many of his shows. And they’ve performed with musical legends like Chuck Berry, Fabian, The Drifters, Bo Diddley, Del Shannon, The Shirelles, Lou Christie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Danny & The Juniors and Peter Noone, to name a few.
The band also has done shows with the late Wolfman Jack, the world’s most famous disc jockey, who was discovered by Harold Schwartz, founder of The Villages, when he owned several radio stations.
Rocky and the Rollers is comprised of Gerry “Rocky” Seader (drums, percussion and vocals), Al Layton (keyboard and vocals), Bruce Nardi (saxophone and vocals), Jimmy Miller (bass guitar and vocals), Al Morse (vocals), Bruce Wallace (lead guitar and vocals), Steve Faulkner (trumpet) and Rick Abbott (trombone).
The band’s next show in The Villages is scheduled for Spanish Springs Town Square on May 28, followed by performances at Lake Sumter Landing on June 5, Katie Belle’s on June 9, a return to Spanish Springs on June 13 and a Brownwood appearance June 18.
