Destination Rock

Destination Rock’n’Roll

MusicMakers! Summer 2010

I. Opening

All- Destination rock’n’roll! We built this city, we built this city on rock’n’roll. (wait) Destination rock’n’roll! We built this city, we built this city on rock’n’roll.

Say you don’t know me or recognize my face, say you don’t care who goes- to that kind of place. Marconi plays the Mamba, listen to the radio. Don’t you remember? We built this city, we built this city on rock’n’roll. We built this city, we built this city on rock’n’roll. Built this city, we built this city on rock’n’roll!
We built, we built this city now, built this city, we built this city, (repeat line) (wait) with rock-’n’-roll (hold 8)! (wait 5) Shout- Rock’n’roll!

II. Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll

(turn backwards during speaker 1) (enter Elvis Presley, All sing)- We don’t care what people say, rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay. One for the money, 2 for the show, 3 to get ready, now go, cat go! But don’t you- step on my blue suede shoes. You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes.

(Sop) Well, you can knock me down, (Alto) step on my face, (All) slander my name all over the place;
Do anything that you wanna do, but uh huh, honey, lay off of my shoes. Yeah, don’t you step on my blue suede shoes. You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes.

You ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog, cryin’ all the time. (repeat line) Well, you ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine. When they said you was high classed, well, that was just a lie. You know they said you was high classed, well, that was just a lie. Well you ain’t never caught a rabbit and you ain’t no friend of mine. (Elvis leaves; speaker 2)

(Sop) rock, rock rock, rock rock, rock

(Alto) Rock oh, baby, rock oh, baby, rock oh, baby, rock!

All- As I got on a city bus and found a vacant seat, I thought I saw my future bride a walkin’ up the street. Nadine, honey, is that you? Oh, Nadine, honey, is that you? Seems like every time I see you darlin’, you got something’ else to do. (Speaker 3)

(Boy Solo- Buddy Holly) If you knew Peggy Sue, then you’d know why I feel blue about Peggy, ‘bout my Peggy Sue. Oh, well, I love you, gal, yes, I love, Peggy Sue. (speaker 4 - Ladies & Gentlemen… Ms. Connie Francis!)

(Girl Solo- Connie Francis) Where the boys are someone waits for me; A smiling face, a warm embrace, two arms to hold me tenderly. Where the boys are my true love will be. Where the boys are, (girls echo- where the boys are), where the boys are, (girls echo- where the boys are) Where the boys are… someone waits for me. All- Rock ‘n’roll!

(sop) Rock, oh, baby, rock, oh, baby, oh baby rock, oh, baby, rock, oh, baby, Rock…

(alto) Rock, rock, rock, rock, rock, rock, rock….

(all twist & sing) Rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay, it will never die. It was meant to be that way, though I don’t know why. I don’t care what people say, rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay! We don’t care what people say rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay! Here to stay, here to stay!

III. Motown, Rockin’ in Rhythm

(Speaker 5 talks while choir sings:) Destination rock, destination roll, destination rock.

(enter California Raisins) It took me by surprise, I must say, when I found out yesterday. Don’t’cha know that I heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would you be mine. Oh, I heard it through the grapevine. Oh, I’m just about to lose my mind. Honey, honey (Speaker 6 talks as choir sings)

(alto) Heard it through the grapevine, not much longer would be my baby. (2x, exit raisins)

(All) How sweet it is to be loved by you. Oh, baby. How sweet it is to be loved by you! (Speaker 7- 1960s)

I wanna stop and thank you, baby; (Speaker 8) I wanna stop, stop and thank, you baby! How sweet it is to be loved by you! (enter Supremes- girls’ vocal trio) Set me free why don’t ‘cha baby; get out my life why don’t ‘cha baby, ‘cause you don’t really love me. You just keep me hangin’ on. Why do you keep a comin’ around playin’ a with my heart? Why don’t ‘cha get out of my life & let me make a new start? Let me get over you the way you’ve gotten over me. Hey! (exit Supremes)

All- Call in’ out around the world, Are you ready for a brand new beat? Summer’s here, and the time is right, we’re

dancin’ in the streets. Oh, it doesn’t matter what you wear just as long as you are there.

(sop) C’mon ev’ry guy (alto) grab a girl. (all) Ev’rywhere around the world they’re dancin’ , Dancin’ in the streets. Dancin’ in the street, dancin’ in the streets. Dancin’ in the streets!

(enter Jackson 5- all sing) A,B,C; easy as 1,2,3; simple as Do, Re, Mi; A,B,C; 1,2,3; Baby, you and me. A,B,C; easy as 1,2,3; simple as Do, Re, Mi; A,B,C; 1,2,3; Baby, you and me. A,B,C; easy as 1,2,3; simple as Do, Re, Mi; A,B,C; 1,2,3; Baby, you and me. 1,2,3; Baby you and me. 1,2,3, Baby, you and me.

IV. British Invasion

(Speaker 9 talks; enter Beatles & Groupies) Help! I need somebody! Help! Not just anybody! Help! You know I need someone, help! When, when I was young, I never need help in any way. Now these days are gone, but now I find open up the doors. (Everyone else) Help! Help! Help! Help!

(Sopranos have harmony)- When, when I was young, I never needed help in any way. Now- those days are gone, and now I find- I’ve opened up the door.

(Altos have melody)- When, I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody’s help in any way. But now these days are gone, I’m not so self-assured, now I find I change my mind and open up the door.

Help me if you can, I’m feelin’ down: and I do appreciate you be in’ ‘round. Help me get my feet back on the ground. Won’t you please please help me, help me, help me? Oo (exit Beatles & groupies; Speaker 10)

All- (spoken) Second verse, same as the first! (sung) I’m Henery the Eighth, I am! Henery the Eighth, I am, I am! I got married to the widow next door. She’s been married 7 times before & every one was Henery, (say- Henery!) She wouldn’t have a Willie or a Sam (say- Or a Sam!) I’m her eighth old man named Henery. Henery the Eighth I am! Henery, Henery, Henery the Eighth I am, I am! Henery the Eighth I am!

(enter Mick Jagger) If you start me up. If you start me up I’ll never stop. You can start me up, you can start me up I’ll never stop. I’ve been running hot you got me just about to blow my top. You can start me up, you can start me you, I never stop, never stop, never stop, never stop. You make a grown man cry, you make a grown man cry,

(SOP) Spread out the oil, (alto) the gasoline. (all) I walk a smooth ride in a mean, mean machine. (wait 4) Start me up! (Mick exits)

(Speaker 11, then Boy Solo) Ever since I was a young boy (kid) I played the silver ball; From Soho down to Brighton I must have played em’ all but I ait’ seen nothin’ like him in any amusement hall. That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball!

(All join solo on) sure plays a mean pinball. He’s a pinball wizard there has to be a twist, a pinball wizard got such a supple wrist. That deaf, dumb and blind kid sure plays a mean pinball.

(enter Robot dancers) I see a little silhouetto of a man, Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango. Thunderbolt and light’ning very, very, fright’ning me. (sop) Gallileo, (alto) Gallileo, (sop) Gallileo (alto) Gallileo. (all) Gallileo, Figaro, Magnifico, co, co, co.

(Poor Boy actor pops up with tug-of-war team) I’m just a poor boy & nobody loves me, he’s just a poor boy from a poor family. Spare him his life from this monstrosity.

(wait 4- then all-) Easy come, easy go, will you let me go, Bismillah? (sop- NO!) (alto) We will not let you go. (sop- Let him go!!) (alto) Bismillah! We will not let you go. (sop- Let him go!) (alto) Bismilah? We will not let you go. (sop- let me go!) (alto) Will not let you go. (sop- let me go!) (alto) Will not let me go. (all) Let me go. Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. Oh, mama mia, mama mia. Mama mia, let me go. Be-elzebub has a devil put aside for me, for me, for me! (robot moves) YEAH! (robot dancers exit)

V. Rock This Town: L.A.

(Speaker 12; then all sing- enter girls in car) I wish they all could be California, I wish they all could be California, I wish they all could be California girls! Well, she got her daddy’s car and she cruised through the hamburger stand, now.

Seems she forgot all about the library like she told her old man, now. And with the radio blasting’, goes cruisin’ just as fast as she can now. And she’ll have fun, fun, fun, till her daddy takes the T-Bird away. Fun, fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away Fun, fun, till her daddy takes the T-Bird away. (Speaker 13)

(Sop) Well, my baby and me went out late Saturday night. (Alto) I had my hair piled high, my baby just looked so right,

(all) We-ell, pick you up at ten, gonna get you home at two. Your mama don’t know what I got in store for you. But that’s all right, were lookin’ as cool as can be. Were gonna rock this town, rock it inside out. Were gonna rock this town, make ’em scream and shout. Well, lets rock, rock, rock, man, rock. Rock till we pop; we’re gonna roll till we drop. We’re gonna rock this town, rock it inside out. (Speaker 14)

(enter Shrek and L-O-V-E letters; 2-4 kids throw beach balls into audience and retrieve after song ends) all- I thought love was only true in fairy tales, meant for someone else but not for me. Love was out to get me. That’s the way it seemed. Disappointment haunted all my dreams. Then I saw her face; now I’m a believer. Not a trace of doubt in my mind. I’m in love, (ooo!) I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried. (Speaker 15)

(all sing, enter bowling pin dancers) When the truth is found-- to be---- lies, and all the joy--- within you---- dies,

Don’t you want somebody to love? Don’t you need somebody to love? Wouldn’t you love somebody to love? You better find somebody to love.

(vocal trio or duet) Somebody’s gonna hurt someone, before the night is through. Somebody’s gonna come undone; there’s nothin’ we can do. Ev’rybody wants to touch somebody if it takes all night. Ev’rybody wants to take a little chance, make it come out right. (All-) There’s gonna be a heartache tonight, a heartache tonight, I know. There’s gonna be a heartache tonight, a heartache tonight, I know, I know. There’s gonna be a heart—ache-- tonight,

(All)- Chains of love got a hold on me. When passion’s a prison, you can’t break free. Oh, there’s nowhere to run. No one can save me, the damage is done. Shot through the heart, and you’re to blame.

You give love a bad name (altos echo: a bad name). I play my part, and you play your game. You give love a bad name (altos echo: a bad name). Oh, You give love-- a bad name. (wait- then all) a bad name. Shot through the heart!

VI. Rock ‘n’ Roll Planet

Callin’ out around the world, Are you ready for a brand new beat? (Speaker 16; choir sings in background) Destination rock ‘n’ roll! Destination rock…

(Female Solo) I’m goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come. (Male Solo) I’m goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City, here I come. (Both) They got a crazy way of lovin’ there and I’m gonna get me some.

All- Take the last train to Clarksville and I’ll meet you at the station. You can be there by four-thirty ‘Cause I’ve made your reservation, Don’t be slow. Oh, no, no, no! Oh, no, no, no! And I don’t know if I’m ever coming home.

(enter Egyptian dancers) All- Walk like an Egyptian. (wait 8) All the old paintings on the tombs, they do the sand dance, don’t you know? If they move too quick, oh, way oh, they’re falling down like a domino. Foreign types with the hookah pipes say, “way oh, way oh, oo way oh, way oh.” Walk like an Egyptian. Walk like an Egyptian. (exit Egyptian dancers)

All- Flew in from Miami Beach, B,O,A,C, Didn’t get to bed last night. On the way the paper bag was on my knee, man, I had a dreadful flight. I’m back in the U.S.S.R. Don’t know how lucky you are, boy. Back in the U.S., Back in the U.S., back in the U.S.S.R.!

All- Do you come from the land down under? Where woman glow and men plunder. Don’t ‘cha hear; don’t ‘cha hear that thunder? You better run, you better take cover. Huh!!! (wait 6 measures before saying next part)

(sop.-spoken; altos echo each phrase) New Orleans! Detroit city! Dallas! Pittsburg P.A. New York City! Kansas City! Atlanta! Chicago and L.A.! Living in America! (wait 8) Living in America! (wait 8) Living in America! Got to have a celebration! I live in America! I live in America! I live in America! Got to have a celebration! (wait- 2-3)Yeah!

VII. Destination Rock ‘n’Roll (Reprise)

Destination rock ‘n’ roll! We built this city, we built this city on rock ‘n’ roll, built this city. We built this city on rock ‘n’ roll! We built, we built this city now, built this city, we built this city, we built, we built this city now, built this city, we built this city with rock ‘n’ roll! Rock’n’roll!

Destination Rock’n’Roll –Dialog Parts

Dialog # 1. (Beginning of Birth of Rock & Roll)

Destination? Memphis, Tennessee! The place? Sun Records! The song? “Blue Suede Shoes!” When Carl Perkins first recorded that unforgettable song it became the first of a new style of music to make its way to the top of the charts. Nobody knew where this sound was going to take us. But with Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis as our guides we knew the destination just had to be …. Rock ‘n’ Roll!

Dialog # 2. (after Hound Dog)

Destination? Cleveland, Ohio! Year? 1944 It was then that Ohio D.J., Alan Freed began to play Rhythm and Blues records on the airwaves of WAKR in Akron, Ohio. When Freed moved to Cleveland in 1950 he developed a radio show called “Moondog’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Party!” dedicated strictly to playing R&B records. Alan Freed is credit with first coining the term Rock ‘n’ Roll and promoting the first-ever Rock ‘n’ Roll concert on March 21^st, 1952. Music brought people together, better than ever, with the birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll!

Dialog #3. (after Nadine- “you got something else to do”)

Destination? Philadelphia. When former D.J. Dick Clark originated American Bandstand on August 5^th, 1957 he introduced sensational new groups and artists to America via that other young invention called television! If new artists were lucky enough to be chosen to appear on “The Bandstand” their songs could easily rocket to the top of the charts. American Bandstand: the original reality TV show! And the original Teen Idol? None other than, the one and only….Buddy Holly!

Dialog #4 (After Peggy Sue)

Ladies and gentlemen….Miss Connie Francis!

Dialog #5 (Beginning of Motown)

Detroit, Michigan gets its nickname as Motor City U.S.A. due to all of the automobile assembly lines found there. When you combine that with the fact that it was in Detroit that a producer name Berry Gordy first blended Rock ‘n’ Roll with Soul music and came up with a whole new art form, you also get a whole new nickname. Ladies and gentleman, Destination: Motown!

Dialog #6 (end of “Heard It Through the Grapevine”)

Believe it or not, Motown became such a national phenomenon that 75 percent of the single records released by Berry Gordy’s label found themselves a destination on the national pop charts! Motown: How sweet it is!

Dialog #7 (Beginning of “How Sweet It Is To Be Love By You”)

In the 1960s Motown reached its peak and top-hit groups such as Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles and Martha and the Vandellas all made The Motor City their favorite destination.

Dialog #8 (middle of “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You”)

Travelers? The British! Destination? America! Up to now Rock ‘n’ Roll had been an exclusively American product, exported to fans around the world. But in 1964, thanks to a group of lads from Liverpool who called themselves “The Beatles,” The British Invasion blew open the American music scene and for popular music lovers everywhere, the work would never be the same.

Dialog #9 (beginning of British Invasion)

With The British Invasion, American Rock ‘n’ Rollers learned to “drive on the other side of the road,” musically speaking! It wasn’t long before British bands began to top the charts regularly alongside American artists. The Rolling Stones, creators of 30 top-ten albums, were obvious leaders and even Herman’s Hermits logged 10 weeks with the No, 2 song in the country! “Second verse, same as the first!”

Dialog #10 (After Henry VIII)

With the British invasion, American rock’n’rollers learned to driveon the other side of the road, musically speaking. It wasn’t long before British bands began to top the charts regularly alongside American artists. The Rolling Stones, creators of 30 top 10 albums, were obvious leaders, and even Herman’s Hermits logged 10 weeks with the number 2 song in the country. 2^nd verse, same as the first!

Dialog #11 (after Start Me Up)

The Who’s “Pinball Wizard,” from the rock opera Tommy, carved out a new musical destination called Theatrical Rock! And when Queen decided to release “Bohemian Rhapsody” in 1975 at 5 minutes and 55 seconds, everybody told them it was way too long and could never be a hit. Singer Freddie Mercury gave a copy to a friend and London D.J. Kenny Everett. It was a colossal hit, and established Queen as THE band of the era. Hey, that’s what friends are for!

Dialog #12 (beginning of Rock This Town, California Girls)

Destination? Los Angeles, California! Here’s the story of three brothers, their cousin, a family friend, and lives of surf and sand and beautiful girls. One of the most incredible success stories in the history of American Rock ‘n’ Roll started right here, dude! And they called themselves The Beach Boys!

Dialog #13 (after Fun Fun Fun, T-Bird away)

Through the decades of the 1960s to today, from mainstream Rock ‘n’ Roll to sub-culture Punk, there are no signs of “Destination L.A.” slowing down in its role as the place to be for the very best of Rock.

Dialog #14 (after Rock It Inside Out)

Who would have ever thought that a group called “The Monkees” could take pop culture by storm to the point where they not only had hit records, but also a wildly successful television show of their own? But in the 1960s it really happened. These four primates spawned a string of hit tunes and kept teenage audiences glued to their sound and psychedelic sets!

Dialog #15 (after Shrek & I’m a Believer)

Destination? San Francisco. Speaking of psychedelic, the sophisticated San Francisco-style “psychedelic rock” of Jefferson Airplane and the country-flavored sound of The Eagles, followed by many more chart toppers of the 1980s and ‘90s, guaranteed that California continued as a destination that totally rocks!

Dialog #16 (beginning of Rock & Roll Planet after “Are you ready for a brand new beat?”)

Once uniquely American, Rock ‘n’ Roll now rocks to a global beat. From the U.S.A. to Latin America, from Europe to the South Pacific and from Africa to Asia, the one thing we can count on when we reach our destination-Ladies and gentlemen-It’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!