Thursday, January 5, 2012

Million Dollar Quartet's Performance will Feature Special Appearance by Original Drummer, W.S. “Fluke” Holland

The national tour of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, playing DeVos Performance Hall as part of the Broadway Grand Rapids Fifth Third Bank Series, will feature a special appearance during the Wednesday, January 18th 7:30PM performance by original drummer W.S. “Fluke” Holland. The performance will also feature a post-show talk back for audience members.

W.S. “Fluke” Holland was the real life drummer during the famed 1956 “Million Dollar Quartet” recording session with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. W.S.’s musical career began in 1954 at Sun Records when he played drums for Carl Perkins band, including such hits as Blue Suede Shoes. After considering leaving the music business in 1960, W.S. received a call from Johnny Cash which then led to a long career as drummer in Cash’s Tennessee Three band. W.S. spent almost 40 years playing with Johnny Cash and played on most of his recordings including Folsom Prison Blues and Walk the Line among many others.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET will make its Grand Rapids premiere January 17-22, 2012 at DeVos Performance Hall as part of the Fifth Third Bank Broadway Grand Rapids Series. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketmaster.com.

On December 4, 1956, an auspicious twist of fate brought Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Presley together. The place was Sun Records’ storefront studio in Memphis. The man who made it happen was Sam Phillips, the “Father of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” who discovered them all. The four young musicians united for the only time in their careers for an impromptu recording that has come to be known as one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll jam sessions of all time.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET brings that legendary night to life with an irresistible tale of broken promises, secrets, betrayal and celebrations featuring an eclectic score of rock, gospel , R&B and country hits including; “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Fever,” “Sixteen Tons,” “Who Do You Love?,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Matchbox,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “ Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Hound Dog,” and more.

MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET is affordably priced from $27.50 and will perform 8 shows at DeVos Performance Hall from January 17-22, 2012. The performance schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday at 8:00pm, Saturday at 2:00pm & 8:00pm, and Sunday at 1:00pm & 6:30pm. Tickets are available at the DeVos Performance Hall box office, all Ticketmaster locations, www.Ticketmaster.com or via phone at 1-800-745-3000. Group discounts are available by calling 616-719-8050 or e-mail groups@bwaygr.org.