Risky Business Rocks Crowd at Festival

The four lead singers in matching white khakis and collared turquoise shirts took turns singing off stage into the crowd. Two hundred-plus pairs of hands clapped in unison with the beat of Jackie Wilson's "Higher and Higher," and voices later sang along with Wilson Pickett's "Mustang Sally."

Like clockwork, Risky Business, an oldies band encompassing music from the fifties to the seventies, opened their summer evening concert at the Cellini Lodge's annual Italian Festival as harmoniously as they have for the past fifteen years.

A crowd favorite, the nine-member band has created a following with fans who began packing the front of the stage with lawn chairs two hours before the show started.

"We saw them at Echo Park this summer," said Joe Pratt of Mineola from his front-row seat. "They draw the biggest crowd, that's why we are here early."   

What makes the group so popular is their sheer spontaneity.  Risky Business literally stays true to their name by not creating a set list of songs for their concerts, instead choosing from the catalog of 225 tunes they know.

"We play it by ear," band leader Ralph Varrone said. The band does take requests from the crowd, further making the shows literally one of a kind – a main drawing factors for many fans.

"I come to see them sing, there are certain songs they do that I like very much," Pratt said. This year, the Italian favorite, "Cara Mia" made the cut along with "Spanish Harlem."

The experience each year hasn't changed much for Varrone. "We've been together for 25 years," he said of his fellow musicians. "We have a great time and we bring a nice crowd."

The band does have one sticking point to their concerts - as per tradition, the band ends each evening with "God Bless the USA" in support of the members of the armed services.

For upcoming concert dates, visit Risky Business at www.risky-biz.com.