Tahoe Onstage photos by Conrad Buedel
Near the end of the show, Spinners lead singer Charlton Washington exclaimed: “I want to touch some hands! Security, you need to take a chill pill. I want everybody down here in front dancing to these last few songs.” The open space in front of the stage filled immediately with dancers and the band shook every hand they could reach. It was a real Motown dance party at TJ’s Corral at Carson Valley Inn.
The Spinners not only touched the hands but also the hearts of fans with a lively 90-minute outdoor show on a beautiful July night. They played all of their classic Motown hits, including “I’ll Be Around,” “One of a Kind (Love Affair),” “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love?” “I’ll Always Love You,” and “The Rubberband Man.”
Original member Henry Fambrough has been singing with the group since 1954. That’s 64 years of rhythm and blues experience onstage in one talented musician. Washington has been with the band since 2009, same as bass singer Jessie Robert Peck and tenor Marvin Taylor. The new guy, Ronnie Moss, joined the band in 2013. Moss has an incredible set of pipes that can likely break glass. He hit some amazingly high notes during his numerous solos.
The five Spinners showed off their perfect harmonies and wide range of notes to the appreciative crowd. They were impeccably dressed in all black, a complete contrast to the four backup band members who were dressed in white. Their dance moves were perfectly choreographed, and you could tell they enjoy the music they are performing.
The Spinners took turns singing lead and firing friendly jabs at one another. They had great rapport with the audience. At one point, they appeared to admonish the crowd for shooting videos only to offer a sincere thank you for supporting the music. The crowd really loosened up after that. During the finale, “The Rubberband Man,” the singers sported huge white rubber bands that they stretched in every direction and then sent into the festive audience. The concert brought back all of the nostalgia of 1960s and ’70s Motown and more.
Conrad Buedel / Tahoe Onstage
