‘Jukebox Rocks’ show celebrates ’50s, ’60s rock ‘n’ roll

Published 5:15 am Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Sting Ray Anthony will perform Saturday at the Gilmer Civic Center.

Do you remember saddle shoes and poodle skirts? How about jukeboxes and cars with fins?

Sting Ray Anthony does, although in the 1950s he wasn’t even a gleam in his father’s eye yet. But for Trinidad-born, Canada-raised Anthony, it was love at first listen.

Anthony is bringing his “Jukebox Rocks” Rock ‘n’ Roll Extravaganza show to the Gilmer Civic Center on July 16. The show will also feature special guest Shake, Rattle and Roll, a tribute show group.

Anthony’s mother, as it happens, was a bit more modern than his father (who favored the standard bearers of the previous era, such as Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin). She was into rock ‘n’ roll.

“When I was around 8 or 9, my mom turned me on to the rock ‘n’ roll stuff,” Anthony said.



He then proceeded to buy and listen to every Elvis Presley recording he could.

Anthony turned his love of music into a passion for playing. He got to playing rock ‘n’ roll music around town and was doing quite well. Then, the movie “La Bamba” came out.

It was a biopic of the late young California musician Ritchie Valens. The movie starred Lou Diamond Phillips and changed the course of Anthony’s career.

“I was already out there playing,” Anthony said. “And when the movie came out, people started saying, ‘hey, you look like the guy from La Bamba!’”

With his uncanny resemblance to Lou Diamond Phillips, Anthony literally brings Valens’ music and more back to life.

There are cover artists. There are tribute artists. There are even look-alike impersonators.

But if you want to see the real thing, there is Sting Ray Anthony and his “Jukebox Rocks” show.

For those who long to relive the ’50s and ’60s music of their own youth and those who are discovering it for the first time, Anthony presents a legendary lineup of songs of the era.

“I’ve been very fortunate to help keep Ritchie’s memory alive and play all kinds of rock and roll,” he said.

Anthony has been able to meet and work with several performers of the era, and help introduce them to a new generation of fans.

“I’ve gotten to play on the biggest stages and befriend my heroes,” Anthony said. “Just last week I met James Burton (famously known for working with Elvis); I’ve met and played with and befriended just about everyone who played with Elvis and in that era, including Chubby Checker, Bill Medley, Peter Noone, Frankie Avalon and even Valens’ sister, Connie.”

Perhaps the most touching meeting, though, has been Anthony’s encounter at a show in York, Pennsylvania. Gil Rocha, the only surviving member of The Silhouettes (Valens’ original band), was moved to tears of gratitude to Anthony for keeping Valens’ music alive.

“The bottom line of this whole thing that we do here,” Anthony said, “is to keep the music and the memory alive; the music is dying out, the radio doesn’t play it anymore.”

Anthony said his show is old school and entertaining. He talks to the audience and encourages them to sing along.

“You wanna get up and dance, that’s why I’m here, to entertain you,” he said.”

Anthony said it’s not a serious show.

“I like to have fun. That’s why I keep playing this music … by the time you leave this show you’re gonna be rock and rolling out the door; bringing out the spirit again,” he said.

What: Sting Ray Anthony’s “Jukebox Rocks” show

When: 7 p.m. July 16

Where: Gilmer Civic Center, 1218 U.S. 271 N., Gilmer

Ticket information: (832) 312-0074 or stevemdxelvis@gmail.com