Society of Seven

Last updated
The Society of Seven in a promotional print material, c. 1970s Society of Seven promo print 2.jpg
The Society of Seven in a promotional print material, c. 1970s

The Society of Seven (SOS) is a musical group that performs a variety show of the same name. Based in Hawaii, it was formed in 1969 from the pop group known as the Fabulous Echoes, which originated in Hong Kong in the early 1960s. [1] The group mainly performed at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki in Hawaii, and has toured Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and other major cities in the West Coast of the United States. [2] Its original members were Tony Ruivivar, Bert Sagum, Don Gay, Terry Lucido, Roberto Nievera, Stan Robertson, and Danny Ruivivar. [1]

Contents

The troupe performs a variety of songs (particularly Broadway showtunes), comedy sketches, and celebrity impersonations. It has also recorded for several national and local record labels, although record sales were primarily in Hawaii record stores and as souvenirs at the group's performances—in that context, the group's hits include "Walk Away," "99.8" and "I'll Love You Through It All." The SOS released a number of records in Asia, recording with the Hong Kong–based Diamond Records. Their version of "A Little Bit of Soap" was No. 1 for 32 weeks on the Hong Kong charts, as well as being a hit in neighboring countries. That started a string of hits, and they had a double hit with "Dancing on the Moon" and "Sunshine" (a ballad written by Diamond Music co-director Frances da Silva-Kirk and Vic Cristobal).

History

The Society of Seven opened at the Main Showroom of the Outrigger Waikiki in 1969 for what was originally a four-week engagement in place of Tommy Sands. [3] There was considerable turnover in the roster in the years that followed—three members of the group, Danny Ruivivar, Terry Lucido and Gary Bautista (who joined in 1984), died, and more than 14 others came and went during the next four decades. However, two members of the original 1969 SOS group—SOS leader Tony Ruivivar and vocalist Bert Sagum, both also members of the original Fabulous Echoes group—were still there when the group celebrated its 32nd anniversary at the Outrigger in 2001. That is believed to be the record for a Waikiki act as the headliner of single major venue (Don Ho was a Waikiki headliner for 43 years, but he headlined several different venues between 1964 and 2007; Danny Kaleikini, another major Hawaiian entertainer, headlined the Maile Terrace at what was then the Kahala Hilton, a few miles outside Waikiki, for 27 years [1967-1994]).

In 2001, a second troupe was formed, Society of Seven LV. When the formation of the SOS LV was first announced the publicists said that the original SOS group would remain based in Waikiki and the younger group, with the "LV" short for Las Vegas would be based in Las Vegas. However, the original SOS eventually moved to Las Vegas and the Society of Seven LV became the resident version of the group at the Outrigger, though the original Society Of Seven has returned to Hawaii for several concert-style performances at the Hawaii Theater in downtown Honolulu.

As of May 2009, Society of Seven with Lani Misalucha could be seen performing at the Flamingo Las Vegas and Society of Seven LV, with Jasmine Trias can be seen at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii. Trias, a finalist on the American Idol TV show, was born and raised in Mililani, Hawaii, near Honolulu, and was seen as a natural addition to the show.

On November 6, 2009, the Society of Seven opened a new show with Jasmine Trias doing comedy, impression and dance under a one-year contract to perform two shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino located one mile (1.6 km) west of the Las Vegas Strip on West Flamingo Road. This relationship has continued a second year, with Trias joining SOS in their sold-out October 22, 2011, show at Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno, Nevada.

Starting in 2010, when Trias has had other obligations, her place has been taken by Arshiel Calatrava, a high school student from Kalihi, Hawaii, continuing the SOS tradition of showcasing Hawaiian talent.

The original SOS group received a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) in 2007. [4] The group was voted "the Best Show in Waikiki" by the readers of Honolulu Magazine. [5]

Related Research Articles

The music of Hawaii includes an array of traditional and popular styles, ranging from native Hawaiian folk music to modern rock and hip hop. Styles like slack-key guitar are well known worldwide, while Hawaiian-tinged music is a frequent part of Hollywood soundtracks. Hawaii also made a contribution to country music with the introduction of the steel guitar. In addition, the music which began to be played by Puerto Ricans in Hawaii in the early 1900s is called cachi cachi music, on the islands of Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Camile Velasco</span> Filipino American singer

Ciara-Camile "Camile" Roque Velasco, known by her stage name Eli-Mac, is a Filipino American singer and came in ninth place on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol. She is one-quarter Irish, one-quarter Spanish, and half Filipino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jasmine Trias</span> American singer-entertainer

Jasmine Trias is an American singer-entertainer who was the third place finalist on the third season of American Idol. She has released one album to date, Jasmine Trias.

Gilbert Francis Lani Damian Kauhi, also known by the stage names monumously as Zulu and Zoulou, was an American actor and comedian. He is remembered largely for his portrayal of Kono Kalakaua on the long-running television program Hawaii Five-O.

<i>Hawaiian Eye</i> American television series

Hawaiian Eye is an American detective television series that ran from October 1959 to April 1963 on the ABC television network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lani Misalucha</span> Filipino singer and television personality

Lani Bayot Misalucha (Tagalog:[ˈlanɪˈbɐjɔtmɪsɐˈlutʃa]; born Lani Dimalanta Bayot is a Filipino singer. Known for her vocal range, powerful, emotive vocals and ability to sing opera arias, she has been referred to as "Asia's Nightingale". Her music has received recognition from a number of award-giving bodies such as Awit Awards, Aliw Awards, Box Office Entertainment Awards and PMPC Star Awards for Music. In 2021, she was named "People of the Year" by People Asia.

John "Josefa" Moe was an entertainer and artist.

Hawaii Calls was a radio program broadcast live from Waikiki Beach from 1935 through 1975 that reached 750 stations world-wide at the height of its popularity. It featured live Hawaiian music by an 11-piece dance orchestra conducted by Harry Owens, the composer of "Sweet Leilani". The show selected the best musicians and singers, with the purpose of showcasing what authentic Hawaiian music is like when played by native performers, but with one major difference—the lyrics were sung in English and intended for white audiences. Hawaiians called this hybrid with English hapa haole (half-white).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin Nievera</span> Filipino singer and songwriter (born 1962)

Martin Ramon Razon Nievera is a Filipino singer and songwriter. Known for his contemporary love ballads and on-stage personality, he is celebrated as one of the most important figures in local Filipino music. With a career spanning four decades, he has garnered 18 platinum, 5 double platinum, 3 triple platinum, and 1 quadruple platinum albums, listing him among the highest-selling Filipino recording artists of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pimpbot</span>

PIMPBOT was an American ska punk band from Honolulu, Hawaii, United States. It was formed in 2001. Blending influences of reggae, dance-rock, hardcore punk, and rocksteady, the band was a local favorite, playing at many Honolulu venues. Pimpbot performed at the world-famous Wave Waikiki at the closing celebration, headlined the grand opening of the stage at Kemo'o Farms, and the popular Sunset on the Beach event at Waikiki Beach.

Melveen Leed is an American singer. She graduated from Radford High School in Honolulu. After winning the title of "Miss Molokai" she began singing in the mid-1960s and has released a number of records in the genres of Hawaiian, country, and jazz music.

James “Kimo” Wilder McVay was an American musician turned talent manager, who successfully promoted Hawaiian entertainment acts. McVay promoted and managed acts such as teenage heartthrob Robin Luke, Don Ho, New Zealand singer John Rowles, comic Andy Bumatai, Keolo and Kapono Beamer, ventriloquist Freddie Morris, magician John Hirokawa and many others.

Richard Hiram Jensen, was a musical performer of the Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and Gospel genres. His signature on-stage style incorporated strenuous dance moves similar to those of Jackie Wilson. He was born in Kalihi, Hawaii on the island of Oahu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Lee (musician)</span> American songwriter

Eric Lee is a Hawaiian musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. His work has appeared on more than 30 albums, including his work with The Kanile'a Collection, Nā Kama, The Ka'ala Boys, The Mākaha Sons, and his solo albums, Crossroads, Kawehilani, and his Twentieth Anniversary Anthology.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Myrtle K. Hilo</span> Hawaiian taxicab driver, radio personality, ukulele player and singer

Myrtle Keahiʻaihonua Kalanikahea Hilo was a native Hawaiian taxicab driver, radio personality, ʻukulele player and singer. Her signature album The Singing Cab Driver was released in 1967 on Makaha Records. She was born in Hauʻula, Hawaii on the island of O'ahu. In 1998 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts.

Na Lani ʻEhā, translated as The Four Royals or The Heavenly Four, refers to the siblings King Kalākaua (1836–1891), Queen Liliʻuokalani (1838–1917), Princess Likelike (1851–1887) and Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II (1854–1877). All four were composers, known for their patronage and enrichment of Hawaii's musical culture and history. All four of them organized glee clubs. William Pitt Leleiohoku II, the youngest brother who died at age 22, was a guitar master and leader of the Kawaihau Glee Club. Youngest sister Likelike was a musician and a co-founder of the Kaohuokalani Singing Club.

Roberto Jose Dela Cruz Nievera was a Filipino-American singer and businessman. He rose to prominence in 1959 after winning the "Search for Johnny Mathis of the Philippines", a singing contest on the television variety show Student Canteen. He was one of the original members of the Society of Seven (SOS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Kaleikini</span> American singer, recording artist, entertainer (1937–2023)

Danny "Kaniela" Kaleikini was an American singer, musical artist, and entertainer. Best known for his long-term residency at the Kahala Hilton in Hawaii, where he performed for 28 years, Kaleikini is often called "The Ambassador of Aloha". During his career of more than 50 years in show business, he was the opening act for Paul Anka at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and performed alongside Sammy Davis Jr., Wayne Newton, Dolly Parton, Phyllis McGuire, and Don Ho. A baritone who sang Hawaiian songs and played the nose flute, Kaleikini gained international recognition for promoting Hawaiian music, language, and culture.

Haunani Kahalewai was a singer and entertainer known as the "First Lady of Song in Hawai‘i". Her distinctive contralto voice spanned three octaves. She was featured on dozens of recordings and headlined the Polynesian Review at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki. Kahalewai was inducted into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1996.

References

  1. 1 2 Berger, John (March 12, 1999). "The Waikiki act is 30 years old and can still be trusted for fun". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved July 4, 2020.
  2. ↑ "PH balladeer Bert Nievera passes away at 81". The Manila Times. March 28, 2018. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  3. ↑ Berger, John (May 4, 2009). "40 & fab". Honolulu Star-Bulletin . Archived from the original on May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 4, 2009.
  4. ↑ Berger, John (2011-05-28). "Lifetime Achievement Awards: Then and now". Honolulu Star-Advertiser . Archived from the original on April 1, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
  5. ↑ Lo, Ricky (January 11, 2012). "Lani vs Society of Seven". The Philippine Star . Archived from the original on December 20, 2024. Retrieved 2024-12-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.