Brooklyn Music Milestones – August 2015

August 10, 2015 by David K. Moseder

Little Anthony & The Imperials_John Mitchell

Little Anthony & The Imperials Photo by John Mitchell / courtesy of Wikipedia

August 14, 1966: Little Anthony & The Imperials, with Fort Greene native Jerome Anthony Gourdine on lead vocals, headlines a concert at the Surf ’n’ See Club in Seabright, New Jersey. Among the support acts is a local band, The Castiles, featuring 16-year-old vocalist Bruce Springsteen.

August 16, 1994: Criss, a band formed and led by former Kiss drummer Peter Criss, releases Cat #1. Of the 11 tracks, 10 are co-written by Williamsburg native Criss, including the autobiographical Blue Moon Over Brooklyn and an acoustic rendition of his 1976 Kiss hit, Beth.

August 23, 1970: Toward the end of the Velvet Underground’s three-month residency at Max’s Kansas City, Lou Reed performs with his long-time bandmates for the last time (until their 1993 reunion tour). It would be nearly two years before the Brownsville-born Reed would resurface with a self-titled album, the prelude to a successful solo career.

Lou Reed Photo by Howard B. Leibowitz/ B.L.Howard Productions

August 27, 1996: Bedford-Stuyvesant-born Aaliyah releases her second album, One in a Million, which goes on to sell more than 10 million copies worldwide and be certified double platinum.

Artists on our Radar

Janet LaBelle Takes the Spotlight: Blending Vintage Vibes with Modern Magic

Janet Labelle With Guitar In Hand / photo by John Nyboer

Dynamic Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Janet LaBelle continues to push her creative boundaries. Known for her unique ability to fuse analog warmth with modern production, LaBelle has been praised by Jersey Beat for her “sweet voice and sharp, thoughtful songwriting,” and her newest projects are no exception. Her music defies easy categorization, effortlessly blending elements of folk, classic rock, and pop into a sound that feels both fresh and timeless. LaBelle recently released her single “Day in the Sun” on September 13 via her own Wild Violet Records, and it has already been captivating audiences with its sunny melodies and deeply personal narrative. The song, inspired by a meaningful hike with a friend in 2023, showcases her talent for finding beauty in simplicity, a theme that resonates through much of her work. The inclusion of horns marks an exciting creative evolution, adding a new layer of depth to her already richly textured sound. Throughout her career, LaBelle has explored a wide range of musical styles. She first made waves as a teenager in the punk-pop band Avery, and since then, her solo work has spanned genres like classic rock, folk, pop, and even French chanson. Her previous EPs, including Moon Songs (2010) and Blossom & Blue (2011), demonstrate her eclectic tastes, with influences ranging from surf rock to vintage country. Working with respected producers such as Evan Taylor (Bernie Worrell) and Tony Maimone (Pere Ubu, They Might Be Giants), LaBelle continues to expand her sound, evolving with each new release. Fans can catch her live at upcoming performances, including a show at Our Wicked Lady on September 24th and at Sleepwalk on December 3rd. These live shows will give listeners a chance to hear both her new and classic material in an up-close setting. Her combination of memorable songs, captivating performances and a unique voice sets her apart as an artist who continues to rise, drawing listeners in with every new creation.

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