12th Annual David Bowie & Elvis Presley Birthday Bash at the Bowery Electric

Michael T

Michael T

Michael T

Elvis Presley and David Bowie coincidentally shared a birthday on January 8. To celebrate the legacy of these two deceased innovators in rock and roll music, Michael T of Michael T & the Vanities invited dozens of local musicians to perform in a four-hour tribute concert. The 12th annual David Bowie & Elvis Presley Birthday Bash took place at the Bowery Electric on January 14.

Sean Kershaw of Sean Kershaw & the New Jack Ramblers, Joanne Erhardt of Rocket J & the 88s, Matt Langone of the Hipp Pipps, Andrew Giordano of the Black Cats NYC, Walker Hornung of the Brotherhood of the Grape, Adam Cardone of the Toilet Boys, Chris Zacher of Frankie Goes to Dollywood, Christian Dryden of the Ritualists, Jeremy Fury of Jeremy & the Harlequins, Richard Dev Greene of the Pale Moon Gang, Joshua Brocki of Night Spins, Starfox & Dominick Martes of Starfox & the Fleet, and Keith Hartel of True Love were among the vocalists that sang Presley and Bowie songs. Several other local artists also performed, including Morton Millen, Mark Ayesh, Robertito Marsilio, MaryAnne Piccolo, Rob Buchwald, Julie Smith, Mike Pfeiffer, Mike Rimbaud, Alice Blythe, Steve Myers, Mark McQueen, and Mike Fornatale. MaryAnne Piccolo served as emcee for the evening, and Twig the Wonderkid served as disc jockey between sets.

MaryAnne Piccolo

Chris Zacher

Sean Kershaw

Morton Millen

Joanne Erhardt

The Elvis Presley tribute

The evening’s first set was an Elvis Presley tribute. The Hound Dogs served as the house band. Keyboardist Charles Roth, guitarist Spencer Katzman, bassist Jeff Gordon, and drummer Michael Buchwald provided the music for the guest vocalists.

1. Heartbreak Hotel (Chris Zacher)

2. That's Alright Mama (Sean Kershaw)

3. All Shook Up (Morton Millen)

4. Hound Dog (Joanne Erhardt)

5. Blue Suede Shoes (Andrew Giordano)

6. Don't Be Cruel (Mark Ayesh)

7. His Latest Flame (Robertito Marsilio)

8. Love Me (Walker Hornung)

9. Big Hunk O'Love (Matt Langone)

10. Jailhouse Rock (Jeremy Fury)

11. Devil in Disguise (MaryAnne Piccolo)

12. The Wonder of You (Rob Buchwald)

13. It's Now or Never (Adam Cardone)

14. Trouble (Julie Smith)

15. Little Sister (Mike Pfeiffer)

16. One Night (Christian Dryden)

17. Viva Las Vegas (Rob Buchwald & MaryAnne Piccolo)

18. Burning Love (Richard Dev Greene)

19. Rubberneckin (Mike Rimbaud)

20. Suspicious Minds (Chris Zacher)

Andrew Giordano

Mark Ayesh

Robertito Marsilio

Walker Hornung

Matt Langone

Bowie Berlin Set

The second set was the first of three David Bowie sets. This set highlighted Bowie’s "Berlin Era." For this set, Michael T & the Vanities consisted of vocalist Michael T, keyboardist Charles Roth, guitarist David Andreana, bassist Stan Esposito, and drummer Timothy Bouzopoulos. Michael T sang the lead vocals on all the songs in this set.

1. Station to Station

2. Look Back In Anger

3. Sister Midnight

4. Ashes to Ashes

5. China Girl

6. Blue Jean

7. Breaking Glass

8. Blackout

9. Fashion

Jeremy Fury

Rob Buchwald

Adam Cardone

Julie Smith

Christian Dryden

Bowie Big Hits Set

The third set featured Bowie’s "Greatest Hits." For this segment, Michael T & the Vanities consisted of vocalist Michael T, guitarist Keith Hartel, keyboardist Mike Greko, saxophonist Ben Jaffe, bassist David Godwin, and drummer Gerry White.

1. Jump They Say (Michael T)

2. Absolute Beginners (Rob Buchwald & MaryAnne Piccolo)

3. Never Let Me Down (Michael Hong & Libby Tatum)

4. Modern Love (Alice Blythe & Michael T)

5. Drive in Saturday (Mike Pfeiffer)

6. Starman (Jeremy Fury)

7. Rebel Rebel (Starfox & Dominick Martes)

8. Fame (Steve Myers)

9. Golden Years (Christian Dryden)

10. Under Pressure (Christian Dryden & Mark Ayesh)

11. Heroes (Joshua Brocki)

12. Under the God (Chris Zacher)

13. I'm Afraid of Americans (Keith Hartel)

Richard Dev Greene

Mike Rimbaud

Michael Hong & Libby Tatum

Alice Blythe

Mike Pfeiffer

Bowie "Ziggy/Glam" set

The fourth set was the “Wham Bam Ziggy Glam” set. For the final segment, Michael T & the Vanities consisted of vocalist Michael T, guitarists Keith Hartel and Michael Hong, keyboardist Mike Greko, saxophonist Ben Jaffe, bassist Stan Esposito and drummer Timothy Bouzopoulos.

1. Lets Dance (Michael T)

2. Star (Michael T)

3. Cracked Actor (Michael T)

4. Ziggy Stardust (Richard Dev Greene)

5. The Man Who Sold The World (Michael T)

6. Space Oddity (Mark McQueen)

7. Moonage Daydream (Mike Fornatale)

8. All The Young Dudes (Michael T, Jeremy Fury, Mike Pfeiffer, Christian Dryden)

9. Diamond Dogs (Michael T)

10. Queen Bitch (Michael T)

11. Suffragette City (Michael T & Keith Hartel)

12. White Light-White Heat (Michael T)

Related Article

David Bowie and Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration at the Bowery Electric (2022)

Starfox & Dominick Martes

Steve Myers

Joshua Brocki

Keith Hartel

Mark McQueen

Mike Fornatale

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The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's January calendar.