Throughout the 1960s and ’70s, few acts were as soulful as The Spinners and The Miracles, yet even many decades later, each continues to flourish on the dance floor, despite numerous line-up changes.

The Genesee Theatre in Waukegan was the consummate host for a dazzling double header full of hits, sequins, synthesizers and the spirit of “Soul Train” meets “The Midnight Special” for over three hours, passionately introduced by Cheryl Dunlap, host of “Soul Suite Radio” on 98.3 The Life.

Pulling from a lineage of multiple platinum and gold albums, The Spinners took the closing slot, featuring Jessie Peck, Keith A. Patterson, Ronnie Moss and C. J. Jefferson after securing the blessing of recently departed original Henry Fambrough, with whom most of the current members recorded the full-length albums “Round The Block And Back Again” and “Full Circle.”

Straight away, the tightly choreographed troupe had the diverse crowd singing to the R&B bedrocks “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “It’s A Shame” and “I’ll Be Around,” all while a young couple named Jared and Juanita got engaged at their seats (though they went backstage to celebrate following the set).

The tone turned towards the doo-wop inspired “Working My Way Back To You,” initially popularized by The Four Seasons, the gentle sides of “Sadie” and “Love Don’t Love Nobody” (heavily borrowed by Boyz II Men), plus a mega medley of “Then Came You,” “One Of A Kind (Love Affair)” and “They Just Can’t Stop It (Games People Play).”

However, there was probably no better example of The Spinners’ signature “MotownPhilly” harmonies and bass-centered bounce than “The Rubberband Man,” which like what came before, would’ve probably made the late founders/Roll & Roll Hall of Famers quite proud.

The Miracles delivered to a similar degree, led by longtime vocalist Sydney Justin (formerly of Shalamar and the NFL), who picked up the baton from Billy Griffin, and of course, Smokey Robinson, a Genesee regular slated to return solo on Friday, April 10.

Alongside the leader’s brother/fellow NFL alumnus Kerry Justin, singer/drummer/actor Cordell Hamilton Conway (Tina Turner, Little Richard, The Isley Brothers) and Eric “Swinn” Swindle, the reverent descendants of these Grammy, Rock & Roll, Vocal Group and Hollywood Walk of Famers recalled mainly earlier Motown memories, including “I Second That Emotion,” “More Love,” “Shop Around” and “You Really Got A Hold On Me” in honor of a beloved Genesee usher, Ella, on the eve of her 87th birthday.

Ballads such as “The Tracks Of My Tears” and “Ooo Baby Baby” possessed just as much polish and precision, in addition to the disco glows of “Love Machine” and Marvin Gaye’s “Got To Give It Up” when dozens of fans were invited on stage to work up another gigantic groove.

For additional information on The Spinners and The Miracles, visit TheSpinners.com and TheMiraclesMusic.com.

Upcoming shows at the Genesee Theatre include Bob Dylan (Mar. 30); Howie Mandel (Apr. 4); Glenn Miller Orchestra (Apr. 9); Smokey Robinson (Apr. 10); Andrew Dice Clay and Jon Lovitz (Apr. 11); Eaglemania (Apr. 12); Arrival From Sweden (Apr. 16); Rick Springfield (Apr. 17); World Ballet Company: “Cinderella” (Apr. 19); Los Lonely Boys (Apr. 23); Yächtley Crëw (May 7); LeAnn Rimes (May 8); Rod The Show (May 9); The Lovin’ Spoonful, Terry Sylvester and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (May 14); The Psychedelic Furs (May 15); Terry Fator (May 29); Lee Brice (Jun. 5); Tommy James & The Shondells (Jun. 6); The Wailin’ Jennys (Jun. 12) and AVTT/PTTN (Jun. 20). For additional details, visit GeneseeTheatre.com.

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