Icons of the ’60s & ’70s Coming This Fall!

The Wilson Center is very pleased to announce that icons of the 1960s and ‘70s— America and Gloria Gaynor —will be taking the Wilson Center stage this fall. America, which shot to the top of the charts on the strength of “A Horse With No Name” and became a global name, will bring their uplifting and positive sound to the Wilson Center on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. The First Lady of Disco, Gloria Gaynor, known for hits like “Honey Bee,“ “Reach Out, I’ll Be There,” and her smash hit anthem “I Will Survive,” will take the Wilson Center stage on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be available online to Cape Fear Stage Members beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 7, with tickets going on sale online to the general public on Friday, July 9, 2021 at 10 a.m.. Please note that this is anticipated to be a full-capacity event, and will adhere to all local and state guidelines at the time of show. Tickets may be purchased online or by contacting the Ticket Central box office. At present, Ticket Central is still maintaining limited hours, but is open for telephone and in-person sales from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday only. Ticket Central may be reached by telephone at 910.362.7999; questions may also be directed to tickets@wilsoncentertickets.com.

About America

The year 2021 marks the 51^st anniversary of perennial classic-rock favorite, America. Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song “A Horse With No Name.” America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single.

America’s journey since then has found them exploring a wide variety of musical terrain. Their best-known tunes, which also include “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Don’t Cross The River,” “Tin Man,” “Lonely People,” and “Sister Golden Hair” were cornerstones of 1970’s Top 40 and FM rock radio. Yet beyond their impressive catalog of hits, listeners would discover there was always much more to America than just surface perceptions.

America’s albums – six certified gold and/or platinum, with their first greatest hits collection, History, hitting four plus million in sales – displayed a fuller range of the group’s talents than did their singles. Their material encompassed an ambitious artistic swath; from effects-laden rockers to oddball medleys to soul-bearing ballads; America displayed a flawless blend of disparate genres and styles as wide-open as the great American plains. Fifty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world, and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound.

About Gloria Gaynor

Gloria Gaynor, who was born in Newark, NJ, began her singing career in a nightclub in her home town. She began performing in clubs up and down the East Coast, and sang with the Soul Satisfies, which was a jazz and R&B band. Signing with Columbia records in 1973 began her major label recording career, which only accelerated after her move to MGM Records. It was with MGM that she recorded her first hit album, Never Can Say Goodbye, which featured “Honey Bee,” “ Never Can Say Goodbye,” and “Reach Out, I’ll Be There” recorded with no break between the songs. This 19-minute marathon dance track proved to be extremely popular in the clubs, and helped to introduce disco music to the public at large.

Gaynor garnered her first Grammy Award for “I Will Survive,” which won the award for Best Disco Recording in 1980 – the only year the award was ever given. She continued to record disco albums, as well as R&B records, and even a gospel album, Testimony, which was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Roots Gospel Album in 2020. Gaynor continues to tour and perform, with up to 150 concerts each year.