We all love a bit of classic Motown, you only have to look at the great show heading into South Wales over the coming months to see that. Imagine if there was one show, which celebrated the legendary hitmakers LIONAL RICHIE and DIANA ROSS. With a combined total of 117 hit singles between them (Diana had 75 before you ask) a new production featuring some of these incredible songs, is about to tour the country and we get to see it at the Swansea Grand Theatre on Saturday 29th October.
ENDLESS LOVE – THE SHOW (A Tribute to Lionel Richie & Diana Ross) is a hit-packed, electrifying and emotional rollercoaster guaranteed to get you on your feet and singing at the top of their voices!
This bespoke production is flawlessly delivered by a young and vibrant cast and features a powerhouse live band.
You just know you’re going to spend the evening singing and dancing along to those Pop, Soul and Motown classics, with smash hits including I’m Coming Out, Dancing on The Ceiling, Chain Reaction, All Night Long, The Boss, Running With The Night and Upside Down –and, of course, Lionel and Diana’s timeless ballad Endless Love along with others such as Hello, Touch Me In The Morning and Three Times A Lady.
If you need convincing, which we know you don’t, here’s a look at the show and the audience…….
Incredibly, it’s now more than 40 years since Motown legends Lionel and Diana made music history with their 1981 ENDLESS LOVE as the number 1 Duet of all time stayed in the charts for a staggering 27 weeks. It has since become synonymous with couples, lovers and enjoyed by millions of people around the globe to this very day.
However…. what no one could have foreseen is that since it’s original recording, these two icons of popular music would never perform the song together again!
Endless Love – The Show aims to put that right, with live arrangements taken from both Lionel’s & Diana’s original touring shows, this is as close as it gets.
This wonderful tribute is the brainchild of MARK CARTER who was musical director of the hugely popular and long-running Magic of Motown for more than a decade. Mark has brought together an incredible cast and stellar group of live musicians to take audiences on an unforgettable journey that boasts 60’s soul, the glitz of disco, the fun of 80’s pop and some of the greatest love songs of all time.
Mark told us…….
“Endless Love has been developed over many years and I am truly blessed to be working with some of the best people in the business to bring this all-new show to life.
“From the outset we wanted to create a truly joyful, feel-good show that celebrates the brilliance of Lionel Richie and Diana Ross as well as some of the greatest songs ever written. We’ve gone to great lengths to recreate and deliver many of the live arrangements both Lionel and Diana have performed in their own touring productions over the years, as such, this has enabled us to create a bespoke show like no other.
“Together for the first time!….With hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s, from The Commodores and The Supremes to Lionel and Diana’s solo careers, audiences already know the words, so it’s singing voices at the ready, and just come and have a great night with us.”
Starring in the show, and singing these legendary songs are the brilliant DAYTON GREY and LEANNE SANDY.
Dayton has appeared on BBC Saturday night hits All Together Now – where he was one of ‘The Hundred’ industry experts, headed by Spice Girl Geri – and I Can See Your Voice.
Dayton told us……..
“Joining the cast of Endless Love is an absolute honour for me.
I love Motown music and Lionel Richie has an amazing catalogue of songs, so I can’t wait to get on the road to perform them all – none more so than the iconic title track alongside Leanne which I know will be something very special. The great thing about these songs is that everyone knows them, hearing the audience singing the words right back to you is an amazing experience and makes for a brilliant atmosphere!”
Dayton comes from a musical family, and initially played drums, bass and acoustic guitar, plus piano in church. But he kept his voice quiet until the age of 32 believe it or not!! He has also been a regular backing singer and lead vocalist with Still Drifting, the band formed by former lead singer of The Drifters Ray Lewis.
Leanne has toured the UK performing as Diana Ross in the smash hit show Magic of Motown and is part of the popular groups Harmony 3 and Grapevine Soul.
Leanne said……..
“To take a brand-new show on tour, and to be singing all those amazing disco hits and power ballads that Diana Ross is so famous for, is just a dream come true for me. And of course, then there’s the dresses!!! Wow!!!!
Diana and Lionel are such legends, we hope fans have a great night when they come to join us in celebrating their music.”
Inspired to sing by the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion, Leanne first stepped on stage as a dancer. Gaining work as a backing singer, she grew in confidence to eventually land a lead role in Magic of Motown, starring as Diana Ross among others.
Alongside touring with Magic of Motown, Leanne has performed on cruise ships around the world as part of the female trio Harmony 3 and with Grapevine Soul.
Endless Love as a show is beautifully presented by a dazzling cast and a highly energised band, the result is a joyful, emotional rollercoaster… from the glitz, glamour and sentiment of soaring love songs, rocking out to 80’s classics and gettin’ down to outright floor fillers…. there really is something for everyone. It’s impossible not to sing along and it’s going to be one of the most memorable and enjoyable shows you’ll see.
ENDLESS LOVE – THE SHOW (A Tribute to Lionel Richie & Diana Ross) gets to the Swansea Grand on Saturday 29th October at 7:30pm. Tickets are £24.50 and you can get yours HERE.
