In the spring of 1996, the French television show hosted a musical collision that, on paper, shouldn't have worked. Recorded on March 22, 1996 , at Air Productions Studios in Saint Denis, Paris, the episode featured global stadium rockers Bon Jovi alongside the enigmatic, cult-status blues-punk crooner Willy DeVille .
Despite their vastly different personas, the two artists blended their voices beautifully, turning the upbeat Drifters hit into a deeply emotional exchange. The Secret History of the Song In the spring of 1996, the French television
: Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, the lyrics were inspired by Pomus’s own wedding day. The Secret History of the Song : Written
The highlight of the night was their soul-stirring cover of the 1960 Drifters classic, A Tale of Two Styles Broadway dancer Willi Burke
Watch the remastered 1996 performance to see how these two icons brought a raw, soulful energy to this legendary classic:
: Pomus, who had polio and used a wheelchair, watched from the sidelines as his bride, Broadway dancer Willi Burke, danced with their guests.
While the Taratata performance was electric, the history of "Save the Last Dance for Me" adds another layer of poignancy to the cover: