by: HB News staff writer
Posted: May 29, 2017
HUNTINGTON BEACH...Fans of the Forever Young Band were in for a treat as the band performed Saturday, May 27th at the International Surfing Museum in downtown Huntington Beach. The Forever Young Band is the oldest band in Huntington Beach, in member ages that is.
The Forever Young Band warms up prior to the performance
The popular band is composed of members in their 70s, 80s, and 90s, with a couple youngsters under that age. The band has played at several community events since forming a few years ago.
Museum curator Diana Dehm, Rick "Rockin' Fig" Fignetti and Chris MacDonald
The band lead the concert with the familiar surfing song "Wipeout," followed by an introduction of military veterans and surfers in the audience by Master of Ceremonies Craig and Chris MacDonald.
Forever Young band member Glenn Blackway
Master of Ceremonies Craig MacDonald (dark suit) with Sid Hallburn
If the audience were in the mood or not, they became in the mood after the band finished playing, you guessed it, In the Mood as band vocalist Frank Pangborn dances with Irene and Marly.
Frank Pangborn dances with Irene and Marlys
Frank and Marlys show your never to old to dance
Next up came Irene and Marly, a couple of "young" ladies who knew how to tap dance to the popular Andrew Sisters hit of the early 1940s Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B.
Watch Irene and Marlys tap dance away.
Next came 94-year-old Sid Hallburn who showed the girls a thing or two about tap dancing. Hallburn as a child appeared in the original Our Gang comedy films.
Frank Pangborn and Ft. Christian Mondor sing "Old Bones"
Frank Pangborn and Father Christian Mondor rendered their popular number "Old Bones" as they have done at every performance of the band since it was formed.
Chris Cattel donated photo while Timmy Turner, Diana Dehm and Chris MacDonald accept it
Half way into the bands performance, the band rested while Craig MacDonald introduced Chris Kittrell, who presented the museum with a framed photo of the museum's founder Natalie Kotsch and first surfboard shop owner in Huntington Beach Gordie Duane. Taking part with Kittrell was famous young surfer and film producer Timmy Turner.
Jimmy Noonan now rendered Closer Walk with Three on the clarinet followed by the band's arrangement of It's a Wonderful World.
Watch and listen as Jimmy Noon as he plays Closer Walk with Thee
Sid Hallburn and Irene Sellers danced to Five Foot Two and showed those youngsters in the audience that your never too old to hit the dance floor.
Irene Sellers asks a member in the audience to come and dance with her
The performance ended with Craig MacDonald asking everyone in the audience to rise and help sing God Bless America.
Chris MacDonald, Irene's dance partner and his wife, and Craig MacDonald at the end of the Forever Young band's performance
The Forever Young band will be playing at the following events around Orange County"
Sunday, June 4 at the 70th Annual Costa Mesa Fish Fry from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fairview Park Stage
Friday, July 21 at the Orange County Fair at The Hanger building from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m.
Saturday, October 21 at Silverado Days Peak Park main stage in Buena Park from 2 to 3 p.m.
Friday, December 15 at Brea Christmas Party at the Brea Senior Center, 500 S. Sievers Ave. Time TBD