Big names highlight Moffatt's 50 years in show biz

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Jan and Dean were among the many musical acts that Tom Moffatt, middle, has brought to Hawai'i in the past 50 years. Advertiser library photo 'Fifty Years of Entertainment: A Salute to Tom Moffatt' A Manoa Valley Theatre benefit; Joe Moore will be the emcee 6-11 p.m. Saturday Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village $150 individual tickets; $1,500 or $2,000 for a table of 10; includes dinner, a tribute show, a silent auction of rock 'n' roll memorabilia, dancing to the Motor City Angels 988-6131

"I haven't sat in on one meeting. They wanted it to be a surprise. I know it will be a lot of fun," said Moffatt, the seasoned broadcaster, concert presenter, record producer and pal of a kegload of rock musicians and singers, who is marking his 50th anniversary this year in the Hawai'i entertainment scene. Since his launch during the golden era of rock in the 1950s, he's been the bridge between big-name acts abroad and Hawai'i audiences, who have flocked to his attractions, from the old Civic Auditorium to Aloha Stadium.

Of course, that's not his style, to be on the outside; he's normally immersed in all facets of a show, from booking an act to arranging ticket sale details — along with sundry other tasks.

So while hundreds of concerts and promotions in the Islands have been dubbed "a Tom Moffatt Production," this cavalcade won't be one of them.

"My mother kept scrapbooks of photos and clippings, about five volumes, before the KPOI era," said Moffatt, about a stash of archival stuff that tribute organizers have been poring through, to shape and frame the Moffatt portrait.

And he's been sloshing through boxes of videos, posters and recordings at his Kaka'ako office and his Nu'uanu home, to give credence to the trek down memory lane.

We played a quick game of instant reflection with Moffatt, tossing out a name, asking for a spontaneous reaction. These responses form an unofficial history of his — and rock's — grip in Hawai'i. Listen up:

Elvis Presley: "The first time I met him, I introduced him at the old stadium. I remember this big limo, coming out of the dugout area, and Elvis jumping out. I remember him jumping off the stage, for an encore, when he did a slower version of 'Hound Dog' on the turf."

Col. Tom Parker: "I remember him telling me when you do a benefit, make sure every cent goes to the beneficiary; he and Elvis did that for the Arizona Memorial, making the admirals buy a ticket."

Connie Francis: "Sweet girl. Great singer. Nice to be around."

Bobby Rydell: "One of the most outstanding young performers then and now; polished onstage, like a young Sinatra. Had an aura like nobody else."

Sam Cooke: "One of the most talented people of the era; a good vocal talent that, if he were still around, would be a superstar."

Frankie Avalon: "I remember waiting at the Maui Palms, where he was waiting for a bus; wanted to warm up, so he sang his No. 1 record, 'Venus,' to nobody."

Dionne Warwick: "What a lady; she was hot, in the era of those (Burt) Bacharach hits, and she was backstage and asked me if she could get a hot dog and a soda. These days, you could spend $6,000 to $10,000 on some backstage needs for certain acts."

Paul Anka: "First time he came, I picked him up at the airport; he was 16, and en route to the hotel, he mentions he heard this old guy named Uncle Tom was getting more mail than him. He thought I was with the promotion staff."

Chubby Checker: "The most dynamic performer of the period; 'The Twist' was big, and we brought him back three times in a year and a half."

The Beach Boys: "I wasn't impressed the first time they came; Brian Wilson didn't come at that time, and he was then a sex symbol with the girls. They opened for a show that starred Dee Dee Sharp and Jackie DeShannon; I sat with the Beach Boys in a bus coming back from Schofield, and they were singing Four Freshmen-type harmony; that's when I liked them."

Four Preps: "I got to know Glen Larson and did a couple of shows with the Preps, including the time they were in the Air National Guard."

Young Rascals: "Without a doubt, the hottest of all groups in the '60s. Real people; had a love affair with Hawai'i. Brought back Felix Cavaliere, but would like to get Eddie Brigati back, too, along with Dino (Danelli) and Gene (Cornish)."

Elton John: "Very nice. Very quiet. Did all of his shows here. Strange story: I went to Japan, a couple of years ago, to see him and Billy Joel perform; brought a lei, wanted to say hello and maybe discuss a gig here, but he disappeared after the concert, on the bullet train. Four months later, I get a message that said 'How nice of Uncle Tom ... to get me a lei for my birthday.' It was later that he decided to do a show with me."

Gloria Estefan: "Got to know her and her husband well; we took them to Guam."

Jimmy Buffett: "Like a brother."

Jimi Hendrix: "Did all three of his concerts here; one time at the Waikiki Shell, there was trouble with power; the sound system drained the electrical lines, so he had trouble with his amps; stopped the show and said good night and invited everybody on Sunday night. It was a huge military audience then ... I just got the hell out of there, because these guys couldn't return."

Aretha Franklin: "We had two shows set; she went on an outrigger canoe ride early in the week and the thing flipped over and hit her leg; the doctor set her leg in the cast on the day of the concert, so she couldn't go on. The crowd booed, asking for refunds."

The Monkees: "We did the first live concert they ever did together; Ron Jacobs was in L.A., Tom Rounds in San Francisco (they were his former colleagues at KPOI Radio), and they hooked me up with the producers; till then, you never saw video screens in a show before, and the group was the hottest thing in the country at that time, and the excitement started here."

Generally speaking, Moffatt said, the English groups of the '60s and '70s were not particularly joyful to work with, with the exception of Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits. "He was a lot of fun," he said.

And yesterday's acts were far more accessible. "Today, it's too impersonal; you're lucky to even get to say hello to somebody like Janet Jackson. In the past, things were simpler and more fun. ... Not anymore; the big stars travel with huge entourages, taking the joy away."