Rock n' Roll House Party's Legacy is Unpredictable Fun
It started out as simply an experiment. Would people come to an acoustically perfect venue to see original old time Rock n' Roll performed by the original artist? The answer was a resounding Hail! Hail! On April 8th 2000, WNXT "The Mix" 99.3 FM and the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts presented the first "Sensational 60's Show" to a sold out audience. That first venue included 60's superstars Mark Lindsay, Mitch Ryder, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Billy J. Kramer and the Shangri-las. According to Vern Riffe Center for the Arts Director Carl Daehler, "The evening was magic. After the night was over, it was evident that the market and the enthusiasm for more were solidly in place," Show co-promoter, WNXT Radio's Morning DJ Steve Hayes, said that the hardest part was yet to come. "If you do something on a grandiose scale once, that's great. The problem then becomes how do you top yourself the next time to keep the fans coming back and not being disappointed?"
It was the 2nd year that the show's name was officially changed to "House Party," and the bill included Johnny Rivers and Three Dog Night. ''This was the first time that independent artists and management were involved," Remembers Daehler. "It became a bit sticky at times." As it was later revealed, Rivers and Three Dog Night apparently didn't get along too well. When Johnny's stage time went over and he went back out for an encore, it became a bit heated in the managerial corner. The bottom line was on that night, it was a shockingly stellar performance by Rivers who caught the crowd way off guard with his showmanship. Three Dog Night was also superb, so everyone except a couple of feuding managers, left happy.
Rock n' Roll House Party III was by far the most bazaar. With Wilson Pickett at the Vern Riffe Center for an 8:00 pm show, his band was sitting on a plane in New York City at show time getting ready to take off. There was a comedian who was supposed to do 20 minutes who ended up going an hour. Tommy James who was contracted to close the show, graciously opened it. Mike Raies and his band even had to be pressed into service for a solid twenty minutes. All this while there were rumors running rampant back stage that the Wilson Pickett we had in our midst was an imposter. Finally at 11: 10 PM, twelve extremely tired musicians sauntered into the Vern Riffe Center with instruments in hand. Ten minutes later the sound of sweet soul music filled the air. The show ended at 50 minutes past the "midnight hour." The ones who stayed to the end will never forget the quality performances of a band who earned their money this night. Oh yea, by the way, it turned out that this Wilson Pickett was indeed the "real deal."
Each year the show is designed to reach out and snag a certain segment of Rock n' Roll fan. Year number four was dedicated to the "Voices of Rock." John Kay and Steppenwolf were booked as House Party IV's headliner with Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad to open. It was obvious from the very first number of "Footstompin Music" that this crowd was on fire. Mark Farner received a standing ovation after the first song. The chairs remained empty. After his first encore to a standing Vern Riffe mob, the Steppenwolf sound engineer unplugged him so he wouldn't do a second. The damage had already been done. While John Kay and Steppenwolf did their typical show, it was obvious that the crowd was less enthused from the power packed performance of Mark Farner as the GFR hits that just kept on coming. Mark Farner further ingratiated himself with fans by signing autographs and pictures long after he was supposed to be gone. After Steppenwolf was done they quickly hit that Magic Carpet Ride to the door never to be seen again. I'm your captain, yea, yea, yea!
Rock n' Roll House Party V was a mix of AM radio icons and was billed as the "Hit Factory." Rob Grill and the Grass Roots opened for the legendary pop/soul group, The Spinners. The night got off to a rousing start as Rob Grill displayed his on stage mastership entwining observational humor with a string of Grass Roots classics. The "Roots" definitely left with the audience wanting more. The Spinners took the stage to perform their cadre of hits with a couple of obvious disadvantages. The first curiosity was that the road manager was also the sound engineer. It seemed Sir-mix-a-Iot had a little trouble getting those highs and lows to come alive. Secondly, founding Spinner member Pervous Jackson was on stage doing his best impression of a man about to have a coronary. While obviously ill and in duress, he kept the audience's soul attention a little too much as the band played on. It must have been the mushrooms.
As the price of premier oldies acts continues to accelerate, Scott Schmidt of Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers has stepped forward to sign a three year deal as the venues corporate sponsor. Wendy's Old Fashioned House Party takes the series into its 6th year by welcoming Australia's harmony laden Little River Band plus dance hall king, Chubby Checker. This year's show has been titled "Down Under with a Twist".
Rock n' Roll House Party VII was a mixture of mellow and the energy driven force of one of rock's premier party bands.
Over the years we had been asked many times to bring a softer representation to the venue. While really not what Rock n' Roll House Party is all about, Don McLean was available and just felt right. He also came from the same agency that handled the former lead singer from the group "Foreigner," Lou Gramm. As it turned out both were available and enjoyed a common pop music thread. The song "American Pie" was voted one of the top 5 juke box songs of all time. The group "Foreigner" was also most certainly a prime choice for any juke box fun when a quarter could buy you an instant party. The vocals of Lou Gramm brought the concept all together as the Foreigner classic "Juke Box Hero" simply emblazoned what this night was all about.
Opening up the show, singer/songwriter Don McLean showed a reverence to his craft as he and his band let the music do most of the talking. Coming from an era of rock poetry, Don may have been perceived a little vacant by some of the crowd who may not have understood the message. Each one of his songs was reaching out from his soul and attempting to paint a musical message in the minds of an embracing crowd. Sailing through favorites like "Vincent", "Dreidel", "Walking to Jerusalem", and more, you knew the crowd was there for a certain moment that wouldn't be denied. After over an hour on stage, Don McLean looked at the crowd and everyone knew what was coming next. The words "A long, long time ago," created a standing ovation that never sat back down. For almost twelve minutes, the audience became a part of one of the greatest pop nuggets of all time, "American Pie."
As Don walked off the stage, he stopped and looked at the audience once again. He turned to MC Steve Hayes and said, "Don't go back out there. Let them relish the moment." At first it came across a bit of a pompous statement, but in reality, he was right. As the crowd was standing with many still singing and basking in the afterglow of what they just heard, this musical moment certainly spoke for itself.
Most people remembered Lou Gramm as the stick skinny and big haired front man for a group that attained superstar status in the 70' and the 80's. Even into the 90's, Foreigner's power ballads fueled by the voice of Lou Gramm were still topping the charts. It was the late 90's just before going on a European tour that Lou Gramm discovered he had a brain tumor. While it turned out to be benign, Lou went through many years of recovery and rehab. The steroids he was forced to use put pounds on his small frame that weren't natural. The world of rock n' roll can be a vain place, especially where looks are concerned. Even though he didn't look the same, it was his love for the music and the fans that brought him back to the stage.
As the Lou Gramm band took the stage, Lou Gramm very quietly walked out and grabbed the microphone. Not introducing himself or actually saying anything to the crowd, most in the audience thought he was a sound tech. The vortex of confusion was quickly cleared as the band launched into "Head Games" and it was quickly established that the Lou Gramm of old was back. With almost a shy demeanor on stage, Lou Gramm proved to all that the voice that once fueled a generation of rock n' roll fans still had the octane. As he sailed through the catalogue of hits, three tunes were conspicuously noticed by their absence. Apparently there was still some bad blood between Lou and Foreigner Co-founder Mick Taylor. For that reason several songs that he authored which were "Feels Like the First Time," "Urgent," and "Feels like the First Time" were left out of the set. As disappointed as a few might have been, there was still plenty of good time rock n' roll for everybody. The last song was a six minute version of the classic "Hot Blooded" that left the crowd on their feet for one of the longest standing "O's" in House Party history. I had seen Foreigner once before, but The Lou Gramm Band actually took the original feel of the music and elevated it to a level that was almost indescribable. These guys was good!
Rock n' Roll House Party IX featured Motown Magic
When you mention the pop music icons of The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones, you simply have to include The Temptations in that rare air of musical hierarchy. It's a secret no more.
The word was first was released Friday night between the summer sets of Hometown Radio's Beach Party with "Surfs Up!" Following the show, the tickets went on sale to all who braved the long line that wound through the McKinley Box Office lobby. As has been the tradition, the artists for "Wendy's Old Fashion Rock n' Roll House Party" were also announced to the general public this morning on the "Steve Hayes, Get Up and Go Show" on the all New Mix 99.3."
The Motown group with more hits to their name than any other will appear at The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts on Saturday night, April 19th for a genuine night of Motown magic. The Temptations Review featuring Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame member Dennis Edwards will span the career of a musical ensemble that gave us some of the most memorable songs in all of music history. "Get Ready," "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Beauty is Only Skin Deep," "Cloud Nine," "I Wish it would Rain," "Runaway Child, Running Wild," " I Can't Get Next to You," "Psychedelic Shack," ""Papa was a Rolling Stone." and many others.
In respect to their status in pop music history, no other act will appear on stage that night. The evening will begin with the return of an old friend with nationally acclaimed comedian Bob Batch. It was Bob's one hour opening monologue during House Party III that helped save the evening as Wilson Pickett's band was frantically being flown in from New York. Bob Batch opened the show at 8:00 pm with Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review to take the stage at about 8:45 pm.
"Wendy's Old Fashion Rock n' Roll House Party" has featured many of the greatest acts in rock history since it's beginning in the year 2000, but according to Vern Riffe Director Carl Daehler, this year is a rare special.
"To be able to bring in a group with the magnitude and staying power that The Temptation's legacy provides to our venue is truly astounding. With the few authentic Motown acts that are even available today, this one might be our biggest catch so far."
Tickets for "Wendy's Old Fashion Rock n' Roll House Party Ten" will be available immediately following the February 14th concert at the McKinley Box Office, and from 10 am until 6 pm Monday through Friday, or by calling (740) 351-3600.
Each year Wendy's Old Fashion Rock n' Roll House Party tends to take on a life of its own. In 2009 and for number 10 we invite you to join the legacy and surprises that will undoubtedly be a part of the landscape. This site was invented especially for all of you. Those who have helped make this event the showcase it has become, we thank you. Enjoy all the memories because as we all know by now, Rock n' Roll never forgets.