Kenny Vance
Encyclopedia
Kenny Vance is an American singer and music producer who was an original member of Jay and the Americans
.
Vance has worked on a number of movies and TV productions. He was music supervisor on the films Animal House and Eddie and the Cruisers
, where he brought in John Cafferty
to perform on the soundtrack. For the movie Looking for an Echo
, he composed the original score and was the singing voice of Armand Assante
. He also was the music supervisor for the movie American Hot Wax
with Tim McIntire
, Jay Leno
and Fran Drescher
. Kenny acted and sang in the movie, appearing as "Professor La Plano And The Planotones".
In 1977, Vance was a guest singer on Saturday Night Live
and became their musical director in 1980, where he was responsible for booking the musical guests. He booked Aretha Franklin
and Prince
, as well as James Brown
, who on his only appearance on the show, performed for far longer than his allotted time, forcing the producers to go to a commercial while he was still singing.
Since 1992, he has performed with his group Kenny Vance and The Planotones
.
Jay and the Americans
Jay and the Americans was a pop music group popular in the 1960s. Their initial lineup consisted of John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane , Kenny Vance and Sandy Deanne , though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black.-Early years:They were...
.
Vance has worked on a number of movies and TV productions. He was music supervisor on the films Animal House and Eddie and the Cruisers
Eddie and the Cruisers
Eddie and the Cruisers is a 1983 American film directed by Martin Davidson with the screenplay written by the director and Arlene Davidson, based on the novel by P. F. Kluge...
, where he brought in John Cafferty
John Cafferty
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band is the name of an American rock band from Narragansett, Rhode Island, that began their career in the 1970s and achieved mainstream success in the 1980s...
to perform on the soundtrack. For the movie Looking for an Echo
Looking for an Echo
-Plot:The lead singer of an oldies group reminisces about the good ol' days and a potential comeback.-Cast:*Armand Assante – Vince 'Vinnie' Pirelli*Diane Venora – Joanne Delgado*Tom Mason – Augustus 'Augie' MacAnnally III...
, he composed the original score and was the singing voice of Armand Assante
Armand Assante
-Personal life:Assante was born in New York City and raised in Cornwall, New York, the son of Katherine , a music teacher and poet, and Armand Anthony Assante, Sr., a painter and artist. His father was Italian and his mother was Irish, and was raised in a devoutly Roman Catholic family...
. He also was the music supervisor for the movie American Hot Wax
American Hot Wax
American Hot Wax is a 1978 biopic film directed by Floyd Mutrux and written by John Kaye telling the story of Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who was instrumental in introducing and popularizing rock 'n' roll in the 1950s...
with Tim McIntire
Tim McIntire
Tim McIntire was an American character actor, probably most famous for his portrayal of disc jockey Alan Freed in the film American Hot Wax...
, Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
and Fran Drescher
Fran Drescher
Francine Joy "Fran" Drescher is an American film and television actress, comedian, screenwriter, director, producer, author, singer, talk show host, political lobbyist and health activist...
. Kenny acted and sang in the movie, appearing as "Professor La Plano And The Planotones".
In 1977, Vance was a guest singer on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
and became their musical director in 1980, where he was responsible for booking the musical guests. He booked Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
and Prince
Prince (musician)
Prince Rogers Nelson , often known simply as Prince, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Prince has produced ten platinum albums and thirty Top 40 singles during his career. Prince founded his own recording studio and label; writing, self-producing and playing most, or all, of...
, as well as James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
, who on his only appearance on the show, performed for far longer than his allotted time, forcing the producers to go to a commercial while he was still singing.
Since 1992, he has performed with his group Kenny Vance and The Planotones
Kenny Vance and The Planotones
Kenny Vance and The Planotones is an American musical group led by Kenny Vance, formerly of Jay and the Americans.-Original Group:Kenny Vance and the Planotones first came to be as a fictional band appearing in the 1978 film American Hot Wax. The band consisted of Kenny Vance, Joe Esposito, Bruce...
.
Discography
- 2004: "Looking for an EchoLooking for an Echo (song)"Looking for an Echo" is a doo-wop song written by Richard Reicheg. There have been several popular versions of the song recorded, including:* The original version by Kenny Vance, first released as an Atlantic records single in 1975...
" - 2008: "Countdown to Love"
- 2009: "Ocean's of Time"