Music fans can stop ‘Wishing On A Star,’ as another 70s icon joins the line-up for a top North East festival.
Gwen Dickey, former lead singer of Rose Royce, will perform alongside pop legend, Billy Ocean and X Factor contestant Abi Garrido, at Bents Park, South Shields on Sunday July 19.
The American soul singer, who voiced classic tracks such as Car Wash, I Wanna Get Next To You and I’m Going Down, enjoyed ten years of international success with the group, before leaving to pursue a solo career in 1980.
Since then she has continued to perform around the world and will be appearing in the North East as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015, which offers free live music and entertainment for all ages, from June until the end of August.
Billy will also be supported at the gig by Jarrow singer, Abi Garrido, who first appeared at the South Tyneside Festival in 2012.
Since then she has enjoyed notable success, including making it to the judges houses as part of a girlband on the X Factor in 2014 and being crowned Young Performer of the Year at the Pride of South Tyneside Awards in 2012.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “Gwen Dickey has one of the most recognisable voices of the 1970s and voiced several of the decade’s biggest hits.
“I’m thrilled that she is joining the South Tyneside Festival line-up and I’m sure visitors will enjoy reminiscing with her and Billy Ocean, as well as welcoming back Abi on July 19.”
Billy Ocean is just one of the acts headlining a series of free Sunday Concerts in Bents Park as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015. Other headliners include boyband 5ive (July 12), Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Feeling (July 26) and North East Stars Joe McElderry, Collabro and Lola Saunders (August 2).
Additional highlights in this year’s event, organised by South Tyneside Council, include brass band performances, Kids Fun Fest parties, monthly craft markets, a Summer Fayre, a spectacular Alice in Wonderland themed parade and Proms in the Park.
For more information and full listings for the South Tyneside Festival 2015 go to www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk search for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, follow STynesideEvents on Twitter or call the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.