The Spinners bring musical valentine to Greensburg stage

Whether their tunes bring back memories, or listeners find them by cruising classic or satellite radio, the music The Spinners play gets all ages toes tappin’.

Try listening to “Working My Way Back to You,” “Rubberband Man,” “I’ll Be Around” or “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love” without singing along.

For those who love to hit the dance floor, their type of feel-good music never goes out of style.

On Feb. 16, the group will bring their special brand of soul, rhythm and blues and doo-wop to The Palace Theatre in Greensburg for a 3 p.m. Valentine’s show.

Henry Fambrough is the only surviving original member in the group. Additional members are lead singer Charlton Washington, bass singer Jessie Peck, high tenor Marvin Taylor and tenor Ronnie Moss.

The band formed as a doo-wop group in 1954 in Ferndale, Mich., and was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2017.

Over the years, their record sales have been in the millions, and their songs have topped pop and rhythm and blues charts. They are considered one of the biggest soul groups of the 1970s.

Leave smoke on the stage

Moss became a member in 2013, shortly after original member Bobby Smith died.

“I did a lot of studio work and performed a lot in Detroit,” says Moss, who lives in Atlanta.

“I still to this day feel as I did when I first started with the group. It was a pleasure and an honor. It was just God-sent. I really wasn’t looking for it,” he says.

“I grew up hearing those songs. I’ve always admired The Spinners because of the sound they had,” Moss says.

He says the band’s music is hard to describe or compartmentalize.

“I think it originally was more of a doo-wop, kind of Motown group. Then it left that kind of stage and became more of a pop, rhythm and blues group,” he says.

The band’s popularity lies in its crossover appeal to everyone, Moss says.

“You can put it on in your car and just drive. It’s music that makes you feel good. It doesn’t get old,” he says.

The members plan to record an album soon, including some new music fans have requested.

“Although they love the hits The Spinners had in the past,” Moss says. “We wouldn’t be able to hit the stage without doing those songs.”

The band tours year-round, he says, in and out of the U.S., still attracting sell-out crowds.

“We basically do about 60-65 shows a year,” he says.

Except for one song, “Sadie,” the band is on its feet and dancing for the entire show. And they are not alone.

“Of course, we get to ‘Rubber Band Man.’ By then (the audience) is up in front of the stage,” he says, laughing.

Moss says the band’s audience now includes college students.

“They at some point heard their parents or grandparents listen to the music. They are familiar with two or three songs. They are rotated to this day on radio and internet stations,” he says.

Sometimes he meets younger people who ask, “What do you guys sing?”

“All I have to say is ‘Could It Be’ and they finish it,” he says.

Moss says older fans often express appreciation.

“They will say, ‘Thank you for taking me back to the good days.’ We get people in tears,” he says. “They love our routines and our uniforms. We do an hour, hour and 20 minute show and we don’t come off stage. We give you a power show, and when we leave we try to leave smoke on the stage.”

Living his dream

Jessie Peck recalls seeing The Spinners perform as a child while attending the Michigan State Fair with his family.

“It was the first concert I ever saw,” he says. “I remember having a great time at the state fair.”

When he heard The Spinners perform, recognized their songs and watched them move, Peck saw his future on that stage.

“I said to my parents, ‘That’s what I want to do when I grow up.’ And I did it,” he says.

Music was always a “huge part of my life,” Peck says.

He played trumpet and was in his school’s marching band and several garage bands.

“It’s what I was made to do, is to perform,” he says.

Peck has been part of the group since 2008, joining after original member Pervis Jackson died.

“The phrase has been coined ‘Motown-Philly Sound,’ ” he says of his band’s music. “I call it old-school, feel-good music, somewhat funky nostalgic trip down memory lane.

“It’s funny seeing the kids in the audience. When we first go out on stage, they have their arms folded,” he says. “Then we entertain them. They are not used to choreography, uniforms, showmanship. Before the night is over they are dancing in the aisles with their parents.”

Peck hopes a Christmas album is in the band’s future.

“That was one thing Bobby Smith always wanted to do. It would be awesome — classics, some original songs,” he says.

In addition to singing bass, Peck serves as the band’s emcee, welcoming the audience and sharing stories with them.

“Everything with The Spinners is heartfelt. And it’s to an awesome beat,” he says.

The Spinners retain their polished singing and smooth dance moves. And those moves are very precise.

“We are not just swaying side to side. The Spinners are getting busy,” he says. “It’s one big explosive ball of musical entertainment. I’m up there living my dream.”