The Detroit trio Horizon will croon Motown favorites designed to make people sing, sway, dance and boogie in the aisles. Fans will have the chance to hear the hits of the Temptations, Marvin Gaye and the best of Motown’s golden era when the performance “Legends of Motown” comes to the Grand Opera House on Friday.
Featuring Rick Ingram, Prentiss “Smoke” Jones and Earl Vinson, Horizon has opened for legends such as Davy Jones, the late lead singer of the Monkees; Randy Meisner of the Eagles; Denny Laine of Wings and the Moody Blues; Fergie Frederiksen of Toto; and Ron Wikso of Foreigner. The group has proven that they can handle themselves and the music that defined a generation with dexterity, competence and most importantly, fun.
“There is no doubt that Motown influenced the musical, cultural and social fabric of the United States,” said Betsy Fitzgerald, executive director of the Grand. “Generations have grown up singing, dancing and enjoying Motown’s greatest hits. Grab your dancing shoes, warm up your voice and be ready to get down with ‘Legends of Motown.’ ”
Horizon focuses on bring Motown back from the past, making each note as authentic, energetic, precise, harmonic, witty and well-choreographed as the icons of yore. This is no small feat, and it is no wonder that Horizon has audiences eating out of their hands, finger-snapping, moving, remembering and wanting to hear more of it all over again.
Ingram, leader and founder of Horizon, started out in theater. After performing in various plays, he decided to put a singing group together. The group quickly began to gain notice after releasing a hit single called “Swing Engine,” which opened many doors for the band. Jones started singing in his school choir and later joined other groups throughout Detroit. A dancer by nature and affectionately known as “Smoke,” he is one of Horizon’s lead singers. Vinson has been an all-around entertainer for many years. He started singing in his church choir, then moved on to gain experience in acting and dancing. He also starred in a regional dance show called “The Scene,” and was a finalist on the national dance show “Dance Fever.” Vinson is a lead and background singer for Horizon.
Handpicked for their voices, dancing ability, humor and likability, Horizon is a perfectly polished theatrical ensemble, complete with costuming and a world-class instrumental ensemble.
“Bring the family,” said Cindy Hill, arts marketing coordinator for the Grand. “This group is good for ages 6 to 106 and everything in between. Make sure you have your dancing shoes and a willingness to get down, Motown style. Horizon really performs their hearts out on stage and they bring all the best dance moves and music. They perform with a three-piece accompaniment made up of drums, guitar and keyboard/bass synthesizer.”
For a night to remember, Hill urges everyone to bring their families out to have a good time together.
“You really won’t want to miss this show. It’s just too good,” she said.
Legends of Motown
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: The Grand Opera House, 651 Mulberry St.
Cost: $22
Phone: 301-5470
