GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Pre-concert partiers at the Blaisdell Arena yesterday included, above, from left, Rose Graham flashing a shaka sign, Vincent "Big Red" Beazie, Janet Beazie, Mercedes Beazie and Susan Pullano, backed up by, from left, the Blue Notes' John Morris, Donnell Gillespie and Rufus Thorne and, in shorts, Chi-Lite Robert "Squirrel" Lester.

Public TV benefit party-goers
mingle with 1970s pop stars

The Soul Jam artists included members
of the Stylistics, Chi-Lites and Main Ingredient

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By John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

It wasn't the usual pre-concert backstage party at the Blaisdell last night.

The guests weren't representing a particular radio station, and they hadn't won their tickets in a giveaway. It was better than that.

Tom Moffatt had donated 200 tickets to his '70s Soul Jam concert to Hawaii Public Television, and the party was a benefit for the television station. The concert tickets, a buffet dinner, and a chance to meet some of the '70s Soul Jam stars -- all on behalf of helping public television -- was a great reason to come out.

"It was a fund-raising event for Hawaii Public Television, so we bought tickets to support them and it sounded fun," Melanie Kosaka said. "We want to see the concert and really support Hawaii Public Television."

GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Mike McCartney and Becky Dunning posed for a photo with Stylistics lead singer Harold Brown.

Added Bruce Swab: "I was invited here by a public television, but I'm looking forward to it."

Jazz musician Miles Jackson III, who was enjoying the party with Arlene McMurtray and Patti Daniel, said he liked all the groups -- the Chi-Lites, Delfonics, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, the Main Ingredient with Cuba Gooding Sr., and the Stylistics -- but the music of the Stylistics and Delfonics held the most memories for him.

"The Stylistics are my favorites, and the Delfonics "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" was one of the first songs I learned to play on the electric bass in the seventh grade."

"You're dating yourself," Daniel warned him.

Her favorite song? The Chi-Lites' big hit, "Have You Seen Her?"

McMurtray also was waiting for the Chi-Lites hit.

"I've been singing it all day to the point where Miles is looking for the ear plugs. I love that song. It's evocative of a certain age."

"Big Red" Beazie, of Curves For Women Waianae, escorting his wife, Mercedes, was an outspoken Stylistics fan.

"I've loved them since the beginning, all their great hits. There are so many," he said.

Mercedes made her favorite known by singing the first verse of "Stone In Love With You."

"I can't wait for the concert to get started. I'm pretty excited about it. The music in the '70s was absolutely awesome. Nothing like today, and that's why we're here tonight," she said.

Stacie Suzuki and Stephanie Chun said they were too young to remember the '70s, but Chun said they were interested in "seeing the '70s type of music."

Lionel "Lionel L" Wright, who is not only old enough to remember the '70s, but was a member of the "old school" local rap group, Club Rox Rock, cast a vote for the Chi-Lites' "Have You Seen Her?"

"My all-time favorite. I used to sing it to my wife. We're divorced (now) but we have a good relationship."

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