Ben E. King Among Performers At Meadows This Weekend

It’s been 50 years since Ben E. King recorded “Stand By Me,” the song any soul or rhythm-and-blues group covered in trying to make the big come-up.

Drifting into Saturday, King is bringing along a familiar cast of his generation’s players and a claim not many original soul artists can say—he’s playing new music.

Along with Martha Reeves, the Original Drifters, La La Brooks of the Crystals, and Pure Gold, King will be singing favorites as well as selections from his new CD, “Heart & Soul”—a minimalistic treatment of jazz standards.

King has never been afraid to diverge from expectations and chase down songs he wanted to play. He broke from the Drifters to fly solo in the '60s.

“Heart & Soul” is a confident coda: barebones piano with King’s melancholy delivery front and center, no filler.

Not a soul, R&B, or jazz fan? What about what '90s reality TV? Judge Judy’s longtime bailiff, Petri Byrd, is serving as master of ceremonies for Saturday’s lineup.

Yet, don’t expect too many violent flare-ups for Byrd to put down. With classic tube, and classic tunes, go classic cars—The Meadows will be showcasing cars before and through the end of the show from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The first performers go on at 4:30 p.m. Fans can get tickets for $19.95.

Local doo-wop legends Pure Gold will serve as the backing band for all of the performers, according to band manager Henry DeLuca. Members of Pure Gold are known for their acappella vocals, and have been the go-to group for PBS specials and events.

“For Saturday we’ve added some horns in addition to the rhythm section and of course the singers,” DeLuca said. “Other promoters will call me for Pure Gold. They back everyone very well—musically and vocally.”

Lounge lizards, soul and pop fans unite, because Saturday is a robust offering of Pittsburgh talent and legendary originators that defined decades of musical gold.