[PICS] On the Scene: Tommy Tutone

Tutone turns in two sets at Pipeline

Photos and story by John Berger
jberger@starbulletin.com

Tommy Tutone lived up to expectations and kept his promise to “play as long as possible” as he and his band played for two full sets May 7 at Pipeline Cafe.

“867-5309/Jenny,” his signature hit from 1982, was the song most of the crowd was there to hear but he also had them dancing and rocking out when he put his stamp on hits by other artists and introduced originals from his later albumsl. Most of the selections in both sets were unfamiliar, but where many “oldies artists” lose the audience when they do their newer music Tutone held their interest and made each song worth hearing.

No question about it, the depth and breadth of his repertoire extends far beyond the classic ‘80s rock sound of “867-5309/Jenny” — and a lot of the people who didn’t go to the concert would have considered it a night well spent if they had.

I’m glad I did.

Veteran event promoter and club DJ G-Spot (aka Double-0 Spot) partied before the concert with Jeannette Rhodes.

The inimitable Slick Vic, left, a welcome guest co-hosting the “Oldies 107.9” morning show with veteran radio personality Ed Kanoi earlier last week, emceed the concert. Vic talked with Tim Cupschalk, Laurie Savo and Connie Fukuda before show time.

Paul “Colonel” Klink, left, enjoyed an early game of pool with Echo Gu and Chris Anagnostakos.

Event promoter Daryl Oyadomari, left, and his girl friend, Kacie Unten, stopped by to check out the concert and met Jed Roa, one of the guys who originally opened Pipeline in 1999 and has been managing it ever since.

Oyadomari, best known for his “Chic Soirée” parties and membership in the Slopes of Diamond Head Hui, says his next big project is a two-club event May 21 at Ward Center.