Decades of Memories

THANG YOU VEH MUCH: Performed by one of the 10 performers in James Packman and Walter “Wiz” Walsh’s new show, Decades of Memories, Elvis Presley’s hit It’s Now or Never will be the opening song for the show that travels in time through the music of the 1960s to 80s. Picture supplied

What we’re gonna do right here is go back, intones the intro to The Jimmy Castor Bunch’s 1972 funk song Troglodyte.

“Way back, back into time.” And that is exactly what James Packman and Walter “Wiz” Walsh will do this month with their new show, Decades of Memories.

Made up of 10 performers, all of which have starred at least once in Packman and Walsh’s popular show, Stars in Their Eyes, Decades of Memories celebrates sounds from the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

Each of those decades celebrates its own anniversary.

The 1960s would be 60 this year; the 1970s has never stopped in these parts and around March turned 50 on its platform shoes while the new romantic 80s is a pastel-shaded, padded-shouldered 40-year-old who’s still got it.

Emceed by the Wiz, and accompanied by footage on the big screen, the show’s entertainers will perform songs from each of those decades.

Show-goers are encouraged to dress up in the style of whichever decade and are welcome to sing along with hits by artists such as The Eagles, Neil Diamond, Abba, Village People and Queen. The words will appear onscreen for these interactive moments.

Packman grew up with sounds from the 60s and 70s so the opening song, Elvis Presley’s It’s Now or Never, is a nod to Packman’s father who passed away last year.

Although the 1980s was more Packman’s formative era, songs from the 70s will make up the biggest portion of the show and rightfully so.