Goodbye, Uncle Al

Philadelphia TV legend Al Alberts passed away this morning at the age of 87.

From 1968 until the mid-80's, I spent as many Saturdays as I could watching Al Alberts Showcase. As a child, I enjoyed watching other children sing, dance and tell jokes. As a young adult, I realized just how hilarious these performances were. When I met my husband in 1984, I got him hooked on the show as well. Laughing hysterically at these pint-sized performers was an early bonding experience for us.

Al Alberts had several hit songs as the lead singer of the Four Aces. Andrea McArdle (the original Annie), identical twin country stars The Kinleys, Sister Sledge and Teddy Pendergrass (I don't remember seeing him on the show) all got their start with Uncle Al.

I'm really sad that he's gone.

It's worth sticking with the following clip to see a three-year-old Jarrod Spector belt out a tune. Heck, I know kids that age who can't even speak in complete sentences. He currently stars as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys on Broadway.