As a teen I grew up watching my music heroes on television, never did I think I would not only meet some of my favorite artists but one day perform with them. One in particular was Little Anthony of the Imperials. Some of my favorite 60’s records were recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials … songs like, “Hurt So Bad”, “Going Out of My Head”, “Outside Looking In”, “Tears on My Pillow” and “Just Two Kind of People in the World” just to name a few. I remember the first time I saw a marquee in lights that had … Tonight: “Little Anthony and the Imperials” and under it “Johnny Angel and the Halos”. It happened at Montemurro’s Supper Club. The picture above was backstage at Montemurro’s … Left to right: Sammy Strain, Ernest Wright, Gary “Bubba” Daley (my partner), Little Anthony, Al “K.C.” Lipp (my partner), Clarence Collins, Jimmy Beaumont (Skyliners) and me (Johnny Angel). That particular night I sang a cappella with the Imperials while drinking Don Pérignon in the dressing room. Jimmy Beaumont came to see the show and to hang out with us. Pinch me, this kind of thing only happens in dreams. Later on in my music career, I again performed with Little Anthony at different venues like Three Rivers Stadium, A Racetrack that I can’t remember the name, the amphitheater at Station Square and back to Montemurro’s once again. While working for 3WS I interviewed him a few times for our listening audience … talking one on one with a music legend is a memory I’ll never forget … I have played some of the interviews on my weekly radio show on jukinoldies.com … each time I play the interviews my brain goes back to those fun times. Anthony is still performing to this very day … and as always knocking his audience out! Well today is Little Anthony Gourdine’s birthday and I spent some time reminiscing and posting pictures on my website remembering those fun days gone by. By the way Little Anthony had a career before the Imperials singing with two other DooWop groups … the “Chesters” and the “DuPonts” where he first met Ernest and Clarence. Happy Birthday Anthony … and God Bless!