When Jack Jones mounts the Big Dome stage tonight (Oct. 16) for his first major concert here in many years, his performance will likely revive a familiar scene that has highlighted most of his live shows: A sold-out audience of exuberant and thrilled fans.

His return to the local concert scene rekindles the American singer’s enduring ties with Pinoy fans, a love affair that stretches back to the 1980s when he was among the hottest foreign acts who drew record crowds to the Araneta Coliseum, Folk Arts Theater (now Tanghalang Francisco Balagtas), five-star hotels and restaurants and other entertainment venues.

Titled “Jack Jones Greatest Hits Tour,” the musical event to be mounted by Ovation Productions will showcase the breadth and diversity of talent of the American idol who rose to fame with his distinctive music that blends vocal standards from traditional pop with swinging renditions of contemporary pop and rock hits.

He will enthrall the audience during the two-hour show with a string of his greatest hits, such as “She,” “Lorelei,” “The Love Boat Theme,” “The Impossible Dream,” “What I Did For Love,” “Wives And Lovers,” “Free Again” and “If You Go Away.”

Other all-time favorites he will perform are “The Shadow Of Your Smile,” “With One More Look At You,” “As Time Goes By,” “Strangers In The Night,” “Call Me Irresponsible,” “Lollipops And Roses,” and many more.

Jack Jones was practically born and raised in a musical and show business environment, having as parents romantic lead actor and recording artist Allan Jones and actress Irene Harvey.

In 1961, he was discovered by producer Pete King and signed with Kapp Records, where he recorded the ballad, “Lollipops And Roses.”

His star continued to rise after recording his biggest pop hit, “Wives And Lovers” (1964), by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, which also won for him a Grammy Award for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance. His recording of the single was likewise nominated for Record of the Year.

In his recent release for Honest Entertainment, “Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett,” he pays homage to a friend and an American icon whom he counts as among the vocalists who most influenced his style (along with Mel Torme, Sammy Davis, Jr., Billy Eckstein and Frank Sinatra).

According to Frank Sinatra, “Jack is one of the major singers of our time,” while Mel Torme dubbed him “the greatest ‘pure’ singer in the world” and Judy Garland called him “the best jazz singer in the world.”

On the occasion of his 50th anniversary in show business in 2008, the world’s most recognized hotel brand, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, paid Jones the ultimate tribute by launching its “M.B.A.” (Master in Business Accommodations) marketing campaign that brought back his fadeless voice singing a new recording of “The Love Boat Theme.”

The “Jack Jones Greatest Hits Tour” is produced by Ovation Productions and sponsored by The Rockwell Club, ETC Entertainment Channel, 2nd Avenue, Diva Universal, RJ 100.3 FM, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, Mercedes-Benz and ABS-CBN.

It is also supported by Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, 103.5 Wow Radio, 94.7 Mellow, 97.9 Home Radio, RX 93.1 Monster Radio, DWBR 104.3, 105.1 Crossover and OptimaSignsolutions.

Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at all SM Department stores and at the Araneta Coliseum ticket office.

• • •
Vhong, Yeng new RRJ endorsers

Launched recently are the newest celebrity endorsers of the popular clothing and lifestyle brand RRJ. They are Vhong Navarro and Yeng Constantino who will lend their star power to RRJ’s latest ad campaign which is built around the slogan “He Moves, She Rocks.”

Aside from being one of Kapamilya’s top comedians, Vhong is also a talented dancer. He started out as a member of the Streetboys and regularly shows off his skills on “ASAP XV” aside from hosting “Showtime.” Yeng on the other hand, dubbed the “Pop-Rock Princess,” has three albums and 17 singles under her belt, the latest of which are “Lapit” and “Jeepney Love Story.” The singer-composer is also regularly seen in “Music Update Live.”

Established in 1975, RRJ (formerly known as Rough Rider Jeans) has had international celebs as endorsers (Eminem, singer-songwriter Michelle Branch).

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Oct. 16, go to Sec. Sonny Alvarez, Rosal Rosal, Richard Reynoso, Princess Violago, Dr. Pacita Gonzales, Concordia Pascual, Zapphire (Cynthia Sullivan), Cathy Babao, Fe Aurora Castro, Pearlie Cabanizas, Jojo Temporal, Faustine Nathaniel Dela Cruz, Cindy Clavejo, Victor Mark Santos, Emy Abuan, New York-based Dr. Nora Realuyo and Ernesto V. Martinez, Mang Gerry Velasquez, Tony Gonzales, Isadora Velasquez, Eden Arias, and Jimmy Duavit, EVP of GMA 7… Happy wedding anniversary to Bobby and Venny Yalung of New Jersey, USA.