Everyone loves a hometown hero and last week, Hawaii welcomed home one of its own: Grammy-nominated singer Bruno Mars. Playing a lengthy set decked out in the full regalia of his Doo Wops and Hooligans spectacular, Bruno had no problem wowing his fellow Hawaiians, according to a review of the show from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
The best part? Bruno let his dad Peter Hernandez and his band The Love Notes play as the opening act.
It was also a triumph long coming for Bruno’s proud father, Pete “Dr. Doo Wop” Hernandez, who opened the first half of the show with his vocal group, the Love Notes — John Valentine, Felix Almestica Bonet, Mike Baker and Lucas Clemente. Some of them had worked with Bruno and his father at the Esprit Lounge 20 years ago. Hernandez went all out for the evening.
The quintet performed doo wop classics with a live band behind them and a squad of dancers joining in around them on several numbers. Valentine was featured on “Lonely Boy” — a signature song for him since the mid-80s. Almestica Bonet took the lead on some of the others.
Like father, like son. Bruno got his start with music as a pint-sized Elvis impersonator as a part of his dad's shows, and now he gets to return the favor. It's the circle of life.
