(February 22, 2021) Many soul music fans know Jerry Cummings from his period as part of the legendary act Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. In a memorable story from his time with the group, in 1974 Jerry was thrust to the front of the stage for an historic lead performance that was captured on tape, and then lost …until now.
On a tour that ran through New York’s Carnegie Hall, Jerry met Sidney Bernstein, known as the promoter who first brought the Beatles to perform in the US. Bernstein was in the audience for the Carnegie Hall show, and had requested to Melvin that the group perform “My Hero,” the theme song from the Opera of the Chocolate Soldier.
Harold Melvin didn’t tell Jerry of the request, but midway through the show, gave a surprise. Jerry tells it, “During the show I heard Harold yell to the orchestra ‘My Hero’ and looked at me and said ‘step up front Jerry.’ So I went forward and I sang it without rehearsing it!” Cummings’ stirring rendition brought the house down.
That memorable performance was recorded, but sat in a university vault for more than four decades, only recently coming into Jerry Cummings’ possession. Cummings and his engineers recently remastered the recording and now it is available for the first time.
Check out this classic performance of “My Hero,” and tell us what you think.
