July 7, 2008
When asked by Cathy (editor of BoomerGirl) a few months ago, how I felt about doing a piece on Tribute Bands, I told her I really didn’t have an opinion on them. I really didn’t pay that much attention to them.
Well, after watching a story about them on the CBS Sunday Morning show (I think they actually ran the story twice), I started thinking about it. I guess I really always thought they were pretty cheesy.
Although back in the 80’s, there was a production called ‘Beatlemania’ that I catered a couple of shows for and they were good. They sounded enough like the Beatles to pull off their songs and you really felt like you were listening to the Beatles. I saw the Beatles twice in concert in the 60’s and I have to say I may have enjoyed ‘Beatlemania’ more because of all the screaming fans and inefficient equipment that was at a real Beatles show. But that was pretty much the extent of my Tribute Band experience.
I just googled Tribute Bands and a website came up totally devoted to them with a list a mile long. What I have learned is that Tribute Bands are big business. People love them and will come in droves to hear the songs that remind them of their youth and with the price of tickets these days, it’s a better deal to see your favorite band being played by somebody else. So I would say my opinion of them has improved.
What I do think is a little weird is the idea of an established band coming back around with most of their original members and trying to pick up where they left off with a new member. For example, ‘Journey’. They were a very big deal back in the 80’s, mostly because of their lead singer, Steve Perry. His voice defined the ‘Journey’ sound.
(Steve Perry w/Journey 1978)
When ‘Journey’ reformed in the late 90’s and began touring again, Steve Perry couldn’t do it for medical reasons, so they decided to go out anyway. They held auditions and found a guy that sounded a lot like him and even had a similar name, Steve Augeri. I saw that line-up in concert and only stayed for a few songs. My husband and I just couldn’t take someone else trying to be Steve Perry. Way too cheesy.
They recently announced the next incarnation of the band and they’ve found another guy who sounds like Steve Perry. He’s a likable guy from the Philippines, but in essence, he’s just another guy imitating Steve Perry. So for me, this concept just doesn’t work. It might as well be a Tribute Band. ‘Kansas’ did a similar thing and it didn’t work for them either.
My take on this is, if you are reforming a band and all the original members can’t be there; don’t try to replace them with clones. Play without replacements or let the sound of the band evolve with the addition of fresh energy. Other bands have reunited without all it’s original members and come back stronger than ever. Bands like: Little Feat, Genesis, Van Halen, the Eagles, Pink Floyd, and even the Rolling Stones.
Ok, now that I’ve said all that, I realize that I have a Tribute Band of sorts right under my own nose. My thirty-year-old son Brodie has been playing the guitar since he was very young; after all he was raised in the music business. He’s known in the Kansas City music scene for his many projects: the band he plays guitar in; the karaoke shows he does weekly, aptly named Brodiokie; musical plays like “The Wall”. But some of his most enjoyable work is when he does his cover band shows. Once or twice a year he gets various talented musicians together to do a night with: Black Sabbath, Queen, T-Rex, & Pink Floyd, to name a few.
(John Huff and Brodie Rush)
The night of the 4th, I took my husband and daughter and we went to see his Led Zeppelin show and his band brought the house down. He’s does a mean Jimmy Page and people just eat it up. It might even be a little cheesy, but that just adds to the charm. So, I guess I do like Tribute Band’s, I just didn’t know it.
Until next time, rock on and be excellent to each other… Penny
Comments
tess1960 (anonymous) says...
We have Tribute Bands every year play here in Junction City at the Sundown Salute 4th of July celebration. I have enjoyed them every year. This year I was impressed with Starship starring Mickey Thomas. My husband wasn't sure the female singer would be able to pull off Grace's songs but she did to his liking and that was impressive to me. We are scheduled to go to a Tribute Band Dream Night in Salina at the Bicentennial with music from Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones just to name a few. And with an electric light show planned, I can't wait......
July 10, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rockandrollgrandma (rockandrollgrandma) says...
I used to do shows at the Bicentennial Center. It is a great building and was the only place I had use of a big industrial kitchen. I loved going to Salina. Have a lot of fun!
July 10, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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