Doo Wop Legend Cranks Up Car Show

It was a night of new memories and a celebration of the oldies at the on July 20.The evening featured hot weather and classic cars, followed by the cool, refreshing sounds of a legendary doo-wop band.

The festivities began with a honoring the state champion Boys Baseball Team. Meanwhile, Manalapan resident Ben Weiner entertained the crowd with folk and rock hits on his acoustic guitar.

Before the main act came to stage, Mayor Andrew Lucas presented trophies to the winners of the classic car display. Third place was awarded to a 1915 Ford Model-T, second place went to a 1935 Chevy, and first place was claimed by a 1936 Ford Cabriolet.     

“I’m gonna take you back to 19… I have no idea,” said Tommy Mara as he and The Crests took the stage. A singer who could easily be a comedian, Mara brought the audience back to the late 1950s and 60s and the golden age of doo-wop. Mara is considered an oldies music guru and is a widely respected vocalist in the genre.

“Alright come on now. Grab the girl next to you. If you don’t have somebody, grab somebody’s girl. Grab a guy. Anything you want to grab - just grab someone, will ya?” said Mara as his band started the unmistakable riff of “My Girl.”

“The Crests” are most commonly associated with their former lead singer Johnny Maestro. The group rose to fame with hits like “My Juanita,” “Sixteen Candles,” “The Angels Listened In,” and “Trouble in Paradise,” all of which Tommy Mara & The Crests perform today.

Mara calls Johnny Maestro his best friend and even performed with him in the past. In 2000, Mara bought the name “The Crests," and the group was reformed with Tommy's lead vocals. Mara still sings in special tribute to the late Maestro, who passed away from cancer last year at age 70.

Mara is an incredibly comfortable performer on stage and shares personal stories from his past, which are hits with the audience. “Two marriages, and I didn’t marry Italian,” he said. “You know why? Because I lived with my mother and my two sisters, and I knew I would never live with a woman like that ever again. So I married a Polock.” The couple has been married for 34 years and resides in Florida.   

According to his Web site, Tommy Mara has been called “The Pavarotti of Doo Wop,” and “The Meatloaf of Doo Wop.” In an interview with Patch, Mara said he has performed since he was a kid growing up on Coney Island.  “Since I was 9 and about 275 pounds lighter,” he joked.

When asked what his favorite song to perform is, Mara did not hesitate to name Johnny Maestro & the Crests’ 'Gee (But I’d Give the World)'. “That’s for all the beautiful women in the world,” said Mara with a smile. The audience gave the group an encore and two standing ovations.

Immediately after the show, the stage lights were turned off, and a fireworks show began. The event, which drew hundreds of locals, was made possible by the Manalapan Arts Council.   

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