Harold Melvin's Blue Notes play City Hall Plaza August 30

Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes are a charismatic Philly band whose roots date back to long before their ascent to stardom in the 1970s.  Formed as Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes in Philadelphia in 1954, they traveled a long road characterized by modest success before reaching national stardom when the addition of a young drummer named Teddy Pendergrass in 1970 led to the group’s leap to national prominence.  The group collaborated with Leon Huff and Kenny Gamble, the same duo that worked with the distinguished soul band, the O’Jays, and signed with their Philadelphia International label. 

Melvin, Gamble, and Huff agreed Pendergrass was best suited in the role of lead singer and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes reeled off a series of hits including “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” and “The Love I Lost,” which reached No. 3 and No. 7 on the Billboard pop charts respectively.  In 1975, the group was joined by female vocalist Sharon Paige and released more hits including “Where Are All My Friends,”  “Wake Up Everybody,” the No. 15 Billboard pop song “Bad Luck,” and the No. 1 R&B single “Hope That We Can Be Together Soon.”  Pendergrass and Melvin have both passed away but the group carries on and today consists of Donnell Gillespie, Rufus Thorn, Anthony Brooks, John Morris, and Sharon Paige.

The series is presented by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment, and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with title sponsor Bank of America. Additional support is provided by media sponsor the Boston Herald, night sponsor AARP Massachusetts, and Polar Beverages.

The concert is from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at Boston City Hall Plaza. For more information, please call 617-635-4505, visit the Parks Department online, or check us out on Facebook.