BY DARLENE DONLOE

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The ’60s is steeped in nostalgia.

There was a lot going on: a sexual revolution; the Vietnam War; Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech; the assassinations of King, Malcolm X and President John F. Kennedy.

Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, The Beatles invaded America, Shirley Chisholm was elected America’s first black woman to Congress and Woodstock rocked.

It was an especially socially and politically turbulent time for black Americans.

But, in the midst of all the angst, there was always music. In fact, music would help to define the era. Of course, there was the unmistakable Motown sound. But, there was also something brewing on the East Coast.

A white New Jersey housewife named Florence Greenberg, who had become bored just sitting around her house, built a highly successful independent record label called Scepter Records. After her daughter asked her to listen to a singing group at her high school, Greenberg, who had no experience or track record in the music business, started a label and signed the group, who went on to become The Shirelles (Paulette Ivory, Berlando Drake, Erica Ash and Crystal Starr Knighton).

Eventually Greenberg signed Dionne Warwick, The Kingsmen, The Isley Brothers and Chuck Jackson.

Greenberg’s story and how she, along with African American songwriter Luther Dixon, helped change the face of music in America with their songs, is told in the new musical “Baby It’s You,” currently enjoying a world premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse through Dec. 13.

Geno Henderson, a Los Angeles native and veteran musician who has played with The Gap Band, Sly Stone, The Pointer Sisters and The 5th Dimension, stars in the production as Ron Isley, Chuck Jackson and Gene Chandler.

Acting as a narrator in the show, Henderson’s various characters take us back to a time when the music industry was finding its feet.

“You’re going to be transported back in time to the pre-Motown era, the processes, bouffant hairdos, iridescent suits and all the great music shortly after Doo Wop when music began to transition into another phase into the Motown era,” Henderson said. “This is a time when melodies became a little more sophisticated. It was a more innocent time. This is a colorful show. It’s a very visual show with a lot of glitter. Emotionally, you’ll get a sense of the time.”

Although he is a seasoned professional, having cut his teeth at the age of 18 on “Soul Train” playing with artist D.J. Rogers, Henderson, whose cousin was the late actor Roscoe Lee Browne, is making his acting debut in “Baby It’s You.”

However, he admits it wasn’t difficult to immerse himself into the music created by legendary performers because he actually grew up listening to them.

“I’m trying to exude the essence of those men,” said Henderson, who has played at Carnegie Hall with Roberta Flack, Aaron Neville, Patti Austin, James Ingram and Melissa Manchester. “I’m not trying to mimic them. I’m trying to give the audience a sense of who they were. I’m trying to maintain the integrity of the sound of the performer I’m trying to emulate.”

While the show is highlighting the music of the past, Henderson said neither the story nor the music is dated.

“Young people can relate to this music and this time,” said Henderson, who first picked up a guitar when he was 9 years old. “You know, it’s all about retro now. Plus, they’ll enjoy it because it’s just good music.”

“Baby It’s You” is directed by Floyd Mutrux and written by Mutrux and Colin Escott. The Pasadena Playhouse is at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Show times: 8 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 4 and 8 p.m., Saturday; 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday.

For more information, call (626) 356-7529 or visit www. pasadenaplayhouse.org.