'60s Celebrated at Library

Dressed in tie dye T-shirts and wearing shades, rock band Just Sixties jammed to a medley of classic hits like "Build Me Up Buttercup" and "Revolution" at the Syosset Public Library on Sunday.

Now in its second year of performing at the library, Just Sixties has become a must-see show. All lead singers, the band members include drummer Rob Gerver, keyboard and bass player Marty Safran and guitarist Donnie West.

"We are very popular on the library circuit," Safran said. "Word of mouth is an incredible thing. One person tells another person how great the show is and look at us now. We are booked until next year."

With heads nodding, fingers snapping, hands clapping and feet tapping, Just Sixties dominated the stage and entertained the crowd.

"We love it when we look out in to the crowd and see them singing along. The songs make them happy and it makes us happy," said Safran.

In between songs, narrators Linda Gerver (Rob's wife) and Barbara Trobiano (Donnie's girlfriend) discussed 1960s culture and fads.

"Between each song, there is a history of the '60s," said Trobiano. "We make it fun while informing the audience." 

Performing together since 1981, the band thinks the '60s was an important time that should never be forgotten.

"The '60s was the most important decade," Trobiano said. "It had John Lennon, the Beatles, the Temptations, the Foundations. Also, a lot of important things happened in the '60s like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy."

The interactive show allowed the audience to participate in a fun way.

"We play a medley of songs and let them guess who the artist is," Safran said. "They love it. We don't just stand on the stage and sing songs."

In addition to being "rock stars" on the weekends, the band members all have steady jobs. Gerver, of Kings Park, is a math teacher at North Shore High School; Safran, of Mount Sinai, is a dentist; and West, of Massapequa, is a piano technician.

According to Safran, being in Just Sixties is the greatest feeling in the world: "This is the music I grew up with. From being a teenager listening to 45 records to now, I love this music."

Friends for many years, Safran loves the camaraderie of being in Just Sixties.

"We have known each other for a long time," he said. "I absolutely love being in this band and playing 60s music."

 For more information, visit www.justsixties.com.