Ronn David McPhatter, the son of two rhythm and blues greats, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Ruth Brown and Clyde McPhatter, will perform his new show "The Son of Legends" at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 8:30 PM. McPhatter has toured for several years as lead singer of the Drifters, the group that his famous father led back in the 1950's.
He has performed at the White House on three occasions, at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, and at Boston Symphony Hall, as well as toured throughout the world. He portrayed Tony Williams of the Platters opposite Halle Berry in the film "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," and also appeared in "Shake, Rattle and Rock" with Renee Zellweger, "Permanent Record" with Keanu Reeves, and "The Five Heartbeats" with Robert Townsend. He is also an accomplished songwriter and incorporates his original material into his family's world-renowned repertoire.
Ronn was raised by his mother, but was never told the true identity of his famous father until he was grown. His new solo act pays tribute to both of his parents, uniting the sass and class of Ruth Brown with the sultry voice of Clyde McPhatter.
Ruth Brown was one of the first stars of Atlantic Records, known as "The House That Ruth Built," and her early R&B hits, such as "Teardrops From My Eyes," "5-10-15 Hours," "What a Dream," and "Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean," helped lead to the birth of rock and roll. Her career had a major resurgence in the 1980's and 90's, when she made her Broadway debut in "Black and Blue," winning the 1989 Tony Award for "Best Actress in a Musical."
That same year, she won a Grammy for "Best Female Jazz Vocalist" for her album "Blues on Broadway," and received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, which she helped organize. She was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, and was still performing in 2006, when she passed away at age 78.
Clyde McPhatter achieved fame as lead singer of Billy Ward's Dominoes and the Drifters, before going solo. He was known for his good looks and smooth, emotional voice.
His great hits include "Treasure of Love," "A Lover's Question" and "Honey Love," and his recording of "Money Honey" was voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. He died in 1972 at the young age of 39, but became the first performer to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-posthumously in 1987 as himself and again in 1998 as one of the Drifters. He was also honored with his own U.S. postage stamp in 1993.
The Catalina Jazz Club is located at 6725 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. The phone for reservations is 323-466-2210
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