Fans of hit songs that climbed the charts in the late 20th century will have a chance to relive their memories and the good times they shared with friends on Jan. 12 when the Starland Ballroom, 570 Jernee Mill Road, Sayreville, hosts “Those Amazing Decades.”
“Those Amazing Decades” is the brainchild of Mike Sasso of Manalapan, who has lived in the township for 18 years and has been playing in bands for more than 30 years. His previous bands included the Jersey Syndicate and Max Headroom, which was a 1980s tribute band.
Sasso, who works full-time as a union electrician, said “Those Amazing Decades” will feature 30 years of music, one year at a time starting with 1970 and continuing through 1999. The performers will play a hit song from each year.
There will be three sets, and a total of three hours of music, with the sounds of Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, the Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, ABBA, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, Brittany Spears and the Backstreet Boys, among many more.
“The challenge was picking out music that people would know,” Sasso said. “If you grew up in the 1970s, I want you to know the music of the 1980s and 1990s. If you grew up in the 1980s, I want you to know the music of the 1970s and 1990s. If you grew up in the 1990s, I want you to know the music of the 1970s and 1980s.”
Sasso, who plays drums, will be joined in the performance by David Artiaga of Union, lead vocals, Justin Turk of Morrisville, Pa., lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Amanda Tucci of Clifton, lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Nikki Cappiello of Carlstadt, lead vocals, Joey Rapps of Woodbridge, lead guitar, Rich Gurtler of Freehold, keyboards and vocals, and Dan Bourguet of Elizabeth, bass.
“It was hard coming up with a set list,” Sasso said. “There was so much great music and so many great artists, but this is not just a cover band. An MC will provide a bit of a history lesson during the show.”
A glance at the musicians who are taking part in “Those Amazing Decades” reveals there are a number of vocalists who will shine. That is by design, he said, given the many genres of music that will be performed and the vocal styles and range that will be required for songs that span three decades.
Sasso has a plan for “Those Amazing Decades” that includes more than a one-time show at the Sayreville venue.
“I think this concept could work well on the casino circuit. I am not looking to do this in clubs. The casinos and clubs are two different circuits. You are not playing at 4 a.m. in a casino,” he said.
“It has been a lot of work putting this show together; juggling schedules among all of the performers is not easy and we have people coming from many towns. All of the other musicians in the band are sharing my dream,” Sasso said.
Sasso said he came up with the idea for what eventually became “Those Amazing Decades” in 2015, but put it on the back burner while he was still doing the 1980s music with Max Headroom.
Max Headroom eventually ended and Sasso revived the idea of a music review in 2017. He called on some of the connections he made with the Jersey Syndicate to book the show at the Starland Ballroom, which is a popular venue for regional and national acts. The musicians playing in “Those Amazing Decades” are people with whom Sasso has worked or heard about.
Doors for “Those Amazing Decades” at the Starland Ballroom on Jan. 12 will open at 8 p.m. For tickets, visit www.thoseamazingdecades.com or Those Amazing Decades on Facebook.
