Decades Rewind is a National touring concert, dance party and theatrical performance all wrapped up in one blockbuster show! It celebrates the hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s, the most prominent decades in music history. Disco, Funk, Rock and Motown all take center stage in this brand new theatrical concert featuring over 60s songs, 100 costume changes and nostalgic video. From Aretha to Zeppelin, Decades Rewind will have you singing and dancing in the aisles!
Peter Gatti, Producer and Co-founder of Decades Entertainment, kindly agreed to offer an exclusive interview to OldiesMusicBlog. Peter Gatti has been playing keyboards since he was 8 years old. What started as organ lessons turned into a whole lot more. Playing in many bands through his teens and 20’s in northeast Pennsylvania, he has played before thousands of people with bands like Passage, a top notch NEPA band of the 80’s, and shared the stage with bands like Dakota and Head East. Now sporting numerous keyboards for his current projects and studio work, both vintage and state of the art, his rig is a throwback to Dennis DeYoung and Rick Wakeman. He also is the owner of indie label and management company Evinyl Records, and is affiliated with Loud and Proud Records, home of artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rick Springfield and Flyleaf. He also owns and operates Studio G in the Tampa area, a high end studio used by many local and national artists, also the home of DecadesRewindRadio.com, an internet based radio station.
OldiesMusicBlog (OMB): When did you start this musical project? How did you come up with the concept of Decades Rewind?
We started in November 2015. We did a few shows in 2015, then came back out in May of 2016 and toured the state of Florida and the Southeast. In 2017, we started our nationwide tour and since have played in 27 states and 70+ theaters. Me and Mark Blinkhorn, my co-founder, both had the idea for years and I finally decided to put it into action during a set break at a bar in a cover band we both were playing in. We took it to my studio and the next thing you know we were auditioning talent, and the rest is history!
OMB: How many members are involved in this complex project?
We have 14 cast members including 6 lead vocalists and a 3 piece horn section along with the basic 2 guitars, bass drums and keyboards. We also have 9 crew members so we travel in two buses with 23 people.
OMB: I find it so amazing that you change over 100 costumes throughout the night. How long is one show? How do you manage to do this?
The show is 2 hours with a 15 minutes intermission. We have two amazing wardrobes and people back stage that assist in the costume changes. Sometimes they even amaze me! It takes a lot of planning and precise timing to pull it off.
OMB: I am really interested in the ’60s songs included in your show. What ’60s hits do you revive?
All our songs are done in a medley format. We start in the 80’s and Rewind to the 60’s. In the 60’s we start with a dance medley and feature things like dancing in the streets, dance to the music and even end that medley with the twist! We then do a Motown medley with songs like “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”, “Ain’t To Proud To Beg”, “I’ll Be There” and “My Girl”. We then go into British Invasion explained below and end with a hippie Woodstock type medley including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Joe Cocker, The Doors and Jefferson Airplane.
OMB: What about the Motown and the British Invasion covers? Can you offer me more details?
I covered Motown a little above, it is one of our favorites to play. We add a little skit to the medley which adds to the theatrical effect. In British we do a few Beatles songs like “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and “Hey Jude”, as well as “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones. “Hey Jude” becomes a huge sing along and really is a cool moment.
OMB: Strictly referring to your personal opinion – which music decade do you prefer?
I love playing the 80’s rock medley which includes “Long Time” by Boston and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen as I am a 80’s rocker. As far as the show goes, the 60’s is the most exciting because all ages in the crowd enjoy it and by the then it is a big party.
OMB: What artists inspire you?
Being a keyboard player I was a big fan of Styx, Yes, and Boston. I truly love all music and love performing, period.
You can see the amazing Decades Rewind touring US through 2018. For more information, you can visit www.decadesrewind.com or their Facebook page.
