Arlene & The Vantastix? Who could they be? There’s a clue in the name. Vantastix is a pun on the surname of the legendary actor and performer Dick Van Dyke. For Americans, Van Dyke has been a presence on radio, stage, tv, and the silver screen for a good 65 years. Those outside the US know him best from his movies. Arlene Silver is Van Dyke’s wife.
The couple met when Silver worked as a makeup artist at the Screen Actor’s Guild Awards, 2006. Van Dyke later hired her as a makeup artist, though it was only after the death of Van Dyke’s 2nd wife that romance blossomed. Both Silver and Van Dyke love singing and dancing and it is integral to their bond, as is evident in this fun and charming video.
Everybody Loves a Lover (lyrics Richard Adler, music Robert Allen) was first recorded by Doris Day. The song was substantially rearranged for the Shirelles 1962 release, and this version provided the template for many later versions of the song. Nonetheless, Arlene & The Vantastix follow the Doris Day original, which is not surprising as the Vantastix are a barbershop quartet formed by Van Dyke in 2000. The song starts off with a finger-poppin’ groove, and Arlene sounds sassy and sparkling.
