Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka tops this weekend's nightlife in the Coachella Valley

Neil Sedaka will perform at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif., on Jan. 13-14, 2023.
Neil Sedaka will perform at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, Calif., on Jan. 13-14, 2023.
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HOT PICK

Friday - Saturday

Pop: In 1959, a kid from Brooklyn named Neil Sedaka released his debut album "Rock With Sedaka" featuring the hit singles "The Diary," "Oh! Carol" and "I Go Ape." But it was a preview of what was to come for the pianist and vocalist who would dominate pop charts through the '60s with songs such as "Stairway to Heaven," "Calendar Girl," "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and many more.

He also went on to write songs for artists such as Frank Sinatra, The Monkees and Elvis Presley. Sedaka's 1973 song "Love Will Keep Us Together" was a big hit for the pop duo Captain & Tennille, which has been recorded by other artists and inspired the English rock band Joy Division to write "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sedaka became popular on social media for livestreaming mini concerts from his home.

Sedaka will perform Friday and Saturday at the McCallum Theatre.

If you go: 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $65 to $115. 760-340-2787. mccallumtheatre.com

BEST BETS

Collective Soul will perform at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 13, 2023.
Collective Soul will perform at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif., on Jan. 13, 2023.

Friday

Alternative: In 1993, radio stations began playing the song "Shine" by Collective Soul and it became an instant hit. The song topped Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and reached No. 11 on the Hot 100. It became a song many loved and hated, including other bands. Phish performed a humorous cover of the song during a 1995 New Year's Eve concert at Madison Square Garden, which is included on the live record. Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has expressed his hatred of the song many times.

But Collective Soul isn't a one-hit wonder. More hits such as "December," "The World I Know," "Where The River Flows" and "Heavy" topped the Mainstream Rock chart, and the band's first four albums are certified platinum. The band was able to write both deep and lighthearted songs that resonated with alternative and adult contemporary radio at the time that are still played today.

Collective Soul will perform Friday at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.

If you go: 8 p.m. Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $35 to $75. 888-999-1995. aguacalientecasinos.com

Saturday

Two legendary Motown groups will appear at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino on Saturday: The Temptations and Four Tops. Both groups defined the label's sound, sold millions of albums and influenced many R&B and rock ’n’ roll bands and have toured together many times in recent years.

Four Tops began in Detroit in 1953 as the "Four Aims" and were signed to Chess Records in 1956 as "Four Tops." They joined Motown in 1963 and released their hit single "Baby I Need Your Loving" the following year. They had subsequent success with songs such as "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)," "It's the Same Old Song," "Something About You" and more.

The Temptations, also from Detroit, features five members. They signed with Motown in 1961 and achieved success in 1964 with the hit singles "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "My Girl," with many more to follow, including the 1969 collaboration with Diana Ross and the Supremes "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me."

If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $49 to $79. 760-342-5000. fantasyspringsresort.com

Rock: Singer-songwriter and guitarist Gilby Clarke has played with many acts such as Heart, Nancy Sinatra, members of MC5, Kathy Valentine of The Go-Go's and more. But Clarke is best remembered for his time performing with the rock band Guns N' Roses during the "Use Your Illusion" era. In 2006, Clarke joined Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee and Metallica bassist Jason Newsted in the band Supernova and the group appeared on the second season of the reality TV series "Rockstar" to find a vocalist.

Even though Clarke has performed with many other musicians and is also a record producer, he continues to record and perform as a solo artist and released his eighth album, "The Gospel Truth," last year. The album has modern rock sound and features the song "Tightwad" with Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx and Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins.

Clarke will perform Saturday at Pappy and Harriet's.

If you go: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. $20. 760-228-2222. pappyandharriets.com

Tim Dillon will perform at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2022.
Tim Dillon will perform at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif., on Jan. 14, 2022.

Comedy: Podcaster and comedian Tim Dillon takes on subjects such as American politics, the entertainment industry, conspiracy theorists and more. He's appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and released a Netflix comedy special in 2022, which included jokes about why all nurses cannot be considered heroes, growing up in Long Island and adults who visit Disney parks.

Dillon will perform Saturday at Spotlight 29 Casino.

If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Spotlight 29 Casino, 46-200 Harrison Place, Coachella. $20 to $80. 760-775-5566. spotlight29.com

Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Neil Sedaka tops nightlife this week in the greater Palm Springs area