HENRY GROSS: “ONE HIT WANDERER”
“It’s his life, but it’s your story!”
“One Hit Wanderer” is a “One Man Theatrical Production” written and performed by veteran singer, songwriter, recording artist, actor and comedian Henry Gross. This CD is a collection of all the original songs that appear in the show, produced by Henry Gross with full band arrangements. The songs on the CD cover every genre of music that influenced Henry in his 42 year professional career and includes the original 1976 hit version of “Shannon” produced by Terry Cashman and Tommy West.
On the surface the show is an autobiographical look back at the trials and tribulations of a life spent pursuing the “Rock & Roll Dream.” A closer look reveals a story of perseverance, hope and commitment that make it a roller coaster ride of laughs, tears, disappointments and triumphs.
Born on April Fools, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, Henry began playing clubs at age thirteen with his first band. Before long he was performing at the 1964 World’s Fair and spending summers singing at Catskill Mountain resorts.
Encouraged by his mom, a gifted musician and Gil Hodges, the all-star first baseman of The Brooklyn Dodgers who lived in the neighborhood, Henry’s career soared to amazing heights when, in 1969, during his first semester at Brooklyn College, he co-founded the 1950’s Rock & Roll revival band “Sha Na Na” and that summer became the youngest performer at “The Woodstock Festival”.
Leaving the group to record on his own, he made over a dozen critically acclaimed albums for the most prestigious labels in the world highlighted by his classic A&M Records LP, “Plug Me Into Something” in 1975.
In 1976, he received a gold record for his worldwide, chart topping, hit “Shannon”, a song inspired by the death of Beach Boy’s lead singer Carl Wilson’s Irish Setter!
He’s shared the stage with some of the greatest artists in Rock & Roll history; Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Billy Joel, The Byrds, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac, Huey Lewis, Hall & Oates, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, and The Kinks, to name a few.
As an actor, he starred in the road company of the Broadway hit “Pump Boys and Dinettes” with the legendary Nicolette Larson (“It’s Gonna Take A Lot Of Love”) and his dear friend Jonathan Edwards (“Sunshine”).
These days Henry is spending a great deal of time working on a documentary film/ reality series about the making of “One Hit Wanderer” with two brilliant young filmmakers, Ed Greenberg and Mick Perry, at their studio, M360, in Irvington, NY.
Henry and Ed – a trained actor, juggler, mime and all-around vaudevillian, who has taken over the directing of the show – have begun working on another musical comedy they hope will see the lights of Broadway in the near future!
In addition, over the past year Henry has been recording in Ft. Myers, FL with multi talented engineer/instrumentalist John McLane producing the “One Hit Wanderer” CD and “Foreverland”, another collection of great songs and performances to be released in the coming months.
So, come one, come all and delight in “One Hit Wanderer”, a celebration of life and re-invention that will charm audiences of all ages.
Henry promises to put every ounce of energy he has into making it an evening you’ll remember. He’s working his way back to the top keeping in mind his mom’s words of wisdom: “The Impossible Takes A Little Bit Longer!”
Vintage Guitar Magazine
May 2007
Hit List Reviews
Henry Gross
One Hit Wanderer
Zelda Records
Henry Gross’ 2001 release, I’m Hearing Things, was one of the most pleasant musical surprises of the past 10 years. Now he’s back with a set of songs from a one-man show that highlights his career in music. There are 17 tunes, two of which are ringers. You’ll find the original versions of “Shannon” and the wonderful “Mama Who’s Gonna Rock” here, but other than that, it’s Gross playing a lot of instruments, singing wonderfully, and negotiating a trip through his musical career.
For those unaware, Gross was an original member of Sha Na Na. That influence shows up on several cuts here. The boogie of “He Can’t Hol’ Still” and the doo-wop of “You Found Me Out” are treats. “Six O’Clock” is a ‘50s stomper that would make Little Richard proud. The ballad “If You Don’t Believe In Me” is the perfect opportunity for Gross to display his voice. It also features a metallic electric-guitar solo that is pure melodic heaven. Several cuts, like “It’s the Money” are horn-driven rock that would sound good on radio, if only pop stations had any sense. It also features some biting lead guitar from a guy who can really play, but never lets the guitar get in the way of a good song. “Sleeping My Way to the Top” is a hysterical, somewhat skewed look at the music business, opening with a quote from “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” and wrapping with a perfect Stephen Stills imitation of the opening of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.” In between is a guy trying, but not quite making it. And “What You Dream,” one of the highlights from I’m Hearing Things, makes an appearance at the end here, as well. Gross’ music is good, old-fashioned pop and rock-and-roll. –JH
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