The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll
"The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll" was a two-part special concert episode for the fourth season of the hit TV series Fame. The concert took place at the Jones Beach Amphitheater on Long Island, New York marking their second concert in the U.S. The first episode was broadcast on October 27, 1984, the second on January 26, 1985. The concert is the first of the season and the first starring new cast members Janet Jackson, Jesse Borrego, and Nia Peeples. With the title of the concert based on the 1984 single by Huey Lewis and the News of the same name, the concert was a tribute to Rock 'N' Roll, past and present.
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll I
Summary
Billed as "Kids from Fame," the cast from "Fame" perform in their first concert of the season alongside the season four regular dancers. The theme of the first half is a tribute to the history of Rock 'N' Roll through the 50s and 60s including music from the Beatles to the Beach Boys.Part I Set list
- "The Heart of Rock and Roll" – Performed by Billy Hufsey, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Gene Anthony Ray, Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson, and Valarie Landsburg
- "Come Go with Me" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "Get a Job" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "Book of Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey
- "The Great Pretender" – Performed by Jesse Borrego
- "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "Teenager in Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey
- "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay" – Performed by Jesse Borrego, Carlo Imperato, Billy Hufsey, and Gene Anthony Ray
- "My Boyfriend's Back" – Performed by Nia Peeples
- "Leader of the Pack" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg
- "Mr. Lee" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg, Nia Peeples, and Janet Jackson
- "Chapel of Love" – Performed by Janet Jackson
- "The Boy from New York City" – Performed by Nia Peeples, Valarie Landsburg, and Janet Jackson
- *Tribute to Elvis Presley by Billy Hufsey:
- "Heartbreak Hotel"
- " Teddy Bear"
- "Can't Help Falling in Love"
- "Jailhouse Rock"
- *---End---
- "Don't Stand Another Chance" – Performed by Janet Jackson
- *Tribute to Rock 'N' Rock dances :
- "Rock Around the Clock" – Performed by Oren, Julia Waters & the Waters
- "The Stroll" – Performed by Luther Waters & the Waters
- "The Loco-Motion" – Performed by Maxine Waters & the Waters
- "The Monkey Time" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters
- "The Twist" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters
- "Walking the Dog" – Performed by Luther Waters
- "Disco Inferno" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters
- "Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters
- "Footloose" – Performed by Oren Waters & the Waters
- *---End---
- "Holding Out for a Hero" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg
- *Tribute to The Beatles:
- "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, JesseBorrego, Billy Hufsey, and Carlo Imperato
- "Help!" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "Eleanor Rigby" – Performed by The Waters
- "Come Together" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "All You Need Is Love" – Performed by Billy Hufsey
- "The End" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray, Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey, and Carlo Imperato
- *---End---
- "The Heart of Rock and Roll" – Performed by The Waters
The Heart of Rock 'N' Roll II
Summary
In the second half of the concert, the cast pay tribute to Stevie Wonder featuring covers of his hits ranging from "Fingertips " to "Ribbon in the Sky." Janet performs her brothers' hit "I Want You Back," Nia Peeples covers Pat Benatar's "Fire and Ice," and Jesse Borrego takes on Prince's "When Doves Cry."Part II Set list
- "Kids in America" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg, Carlo Imperato, Gene Anthony Ray, Nia Peeples, Jesse Borrego, Billy Hufsey, and Janet Jackson
- "Infatuation" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- *Music of Motown Vs. the Music of the Beach:
- "Barbara Ann" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "Standing in the Shadows of Love" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "Do You Want to Dance" – Performed by Nia Peeples
- "Dancing in the Street" – Performed by Janet Jackson
- "Good Vibrations" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "Fun, Fun, Fun" – Performed by Nia Peeples
- "I Want You Back" – Performed by Janet Jackson
- "Wipe Out" – Musical Interlude
- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" – Performed by Carlo Imperato, Janet Jackson, Nia Peeples, and Gene Anthony Ray
- *---End---
- "Fire and Ice" – Performed by Nia Peeples
- "Stay with Me Tonight" – Performed by Jesse Borrego
- *Tribute to Stevie Wonder :
- "Fingertips" – Performed by Gene Anthony Ray
- "Living for the City" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Isn't She Lovely" – Performed by Jesse Borrego
- "Superstition" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Keep on Running" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Ribbon in the Sky" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- "Do I Do" – Performed by Oren & the Waters
- *---End---
- "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" – Performed by Valarie Landsburg and Janet Jackson
- "Dancing in the Sheets" – Performed by Nia Peeples
- "Dancing in the Dark" – Performed by Carlo Imperato
- "When Doves Cry" – Performed by Jesse Borrego
- "Ghostbusters" – Performed by Billy Hufsey Carlo Imperato
- "Fame" – Performed by the "Fame" cast & the Waters
Credits
- Executive Producer: Ken Ehrlich
- Co-Producers: Debbie Allen and Otis Sallid
- Directed by: Walter C. Miller
- Written by: Ken Ehrlich
- Associate Producer: Greg Sills
- Music Arranged, Conducted, and Produced by: Gary Scott
- Dance Consultant: Debbie Allen
- Choreographer: Otis Sallid
- Costumes Designed by: Marilyn Matthews
- Lighting Designed by: Bob Dickinson
- Art Director: Wade Giampa
- Fame Dancers: Derrick Brice, Leanne Gerrish, Nina Goldman, Kimberlee Layton, Joni Palmer, Eartha D. Robinson, Serge Rodnunsky, Michael Rooney, Allysia Sneed, Bronwyn Thomas, Darryl Tribble, Rocker Verastique, and Philp Wright.
- The Waters: Julia, Luther, Maxine, and Oren.
- Production Associate: Debbie Pasetta
- Associate Director: Terry McCoy
- Stage Managers: Leslie Jackson and Alan Shevlo
- Set Decorator: Tom Tonery
- Music Production Assistant: Lori Lieberman
- Production Coordinator: Chip Quigley
- Technical Supervisor: Neil Sydor
- Technical Director: John B. Field
- Audio: Terry Kulchar
- Video: Doug Barry
- Make-Up: Jack Wilson
- Hair Stylist: Gloria Montermayer
- Lighting Coordinator: J. Kevin Myers
- Staging Supervisor: Jack Cassidy
- Post Production Supervisor: Frank Merwald
- Consulting Producer: David De Silva
- Videotape Editors: Bill Breshears and Ron Ybarra
- Videotape Facilities: Unitel
- "The Heart of Rock ‘N’ Roll"
Courtesy of Hulex Music and Red Admiral Music
- "Fame" Dancers Capezio Dancewear
Ballet Makers, Inc.
- National Advertising Sales
Lexington Broadcast Services
- A presentation of the Metromedia Network
- "Produced in Cooperation with Kai Radiotelevisione Italiana TV2"
- Post Production Facility Laser Edit, Inc
- Executive in Charge of Production: Ted Zachary