They say music can work miracles, and...
They say music can work miracles, and that is what David Caesar Johnson of Little Caesar and the Romans is hoping for. Johnson’s son was born with cystic fibrosis six years ago, and for the last four years, Johnson and his band have battled the disease with music, at a series of benefit concerts.
Johnson and his band, formed in 1957, will be performing their hit songs, including “Those Oldies But Goodies Remind Me of You,” during a lively night of music at the Oldies But Goodies benefit concert at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the Excelsior High School Auditorium in Norwalk. The concert will feature music from the 1950s and ‘60s.
Johnson’s band will donate all proceeds from the concert to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“Before my son was born, I never knew about cystic fibrosis. I found out he had it a few days after he was born, I was at a rehearsal and I couldn’t even finish. It was the first time, as a man, that I cried,” Johnson said.
“The doctor said last year that my son wouldn’t live past 12 (years old), but I don’t believe that. I’m hoping for a cure. We hold these concerts to help all kids with cystic fibrosis,” Johnson said.
Little Caesar and the Romans will be joined by several popular entertainers from the 1950s and ‘60s including Brenton Wood (“The Oogum Boogum Song”), Joe Vincent and the Sound of Night (“Rocky Road Blues”), the Drifters (“Under the Boardwalk,” “There Goes My Baby” and “This Magic Moment”), the Crests (“16 Candles”) and special guest Marc Ludeman, along with the new sound of D.J. Funk and the Funk Force (“Rap-n-On”). Michael J. Scafuto will host the show.
“Our goal is for a full house, 1,800 seats,” Johnson said.
Tickets are available at Norwalk Records, 12023 Firestone Blvd., Norwalk, and at the One Stop Shop, 9448 Telegraph Road, Downey. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Excelsior High School Auditorium is at 15711 Pioneer Blvd. in Norwalk.
For more information, call David Johnson at Three Shades of Joy Productions, (714) 527-3831.
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