OKC Philharmonic going on a Classical Mystery Tour, giving away Beatles box set
Classical Mystery Tour
The Oklahoma City Philharmonic will reunite this weekend with the Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour.
The orchestra and the band will perform together at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker.
In 1996, Classical Mystery Tour joined the ranks of the many Fab Four tribute bands out there, but what sets this group apart is that its appearances are backed by a full symphony orchestra.
The group played a successful engagement with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic in January 2007, so Classical Mystery Tour will help the orchestra open its 2009-10 pops season this weekend.
Band members Jim Owen (John Lennon), Tony Kishman (Paul McCartney), Tom Teeley (George Harrison) and Chris Camilleri (Ringo Starr) will return for two performances conducted by Martin Herman.
For more information, click here to read Fine Arts Editor Rick Rogers’ story about the show. For tickets and information, call 842-5387 or go to www.okcphilharmonic.org.
In conjunction with the shows, the OKC Philharmonic is giving away one of the new Beatles’ stereo box sets and a set of four box seats to one of the performances. Participants must be 18 or older to enter, and the deadline is for entries to be submitted online is 2 p.m. Thursday. The winner will be chosen by a random drawing of all eligible entries.
To learn more or enter the contest, go to www.okcphilharmonic.org/contest-rules.
-BAM
Irish rock band The Answer opening for AC/DC tonight in Oklahoma City
The Answer
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
AC/DC’s opening act has The Answer
Frontman Cormac Neeson hopes eventually he won’t get so many questions when people learn the name of his band is The Answer.
The Irish blues-rockers have spent the last year getting priceless exposure as opening act for AC/DC’s worldwide “Black Ice Tour.” The tour will make a stop tonight at the Ford Center.
“Part of the experience is soaking up a few tricks of the trade from these guys that have been in the business for so long, and you combine that with obviously the exposure that The Answer’s getting by playing in front of these massive crowds, it’s just a perfect tour for us to be on right now,” Neeson said in a phone interview earlier this year from the road.
The tour has taken the hard-rocking quartet all over the United States (including an appropriately icy January date at Tulsa’s BOK Center), throughout Europe, back to the States, into Canada and back to America. Along the way, the band has played “Late Night With David Letterman,” put a song on “Guitar Hero: World Tour” and released a new album, “Everyday Demons.” The Answer is releasing this month “Comfort Zone,” the soulful new single from the album, its first full-length record to get an American release.
“It’s all coming together and all combining to really build up a strong momentum,” he said. “It’s our second album, so thus it’s the first album that we actually had to sit down and write over the space of three months as opposed to a collection of songs over the previous couple of years … so there’s a consistency there, there’s a kind of fluency in statement that we’re trying to make.”
Their globe-trotting trek started with the band’s formation nine years ago in Northern Ireland. Neeson, guitarist Paul Mahon, bassist Michael Waters and drummer James Heatley secured a U.K. record deal in 2005 and released their debut album “Rise” to keen reviews and solid sales.
Among others, the album captured the attention of Australian rock gods AC/DC, who handpicked The Answer for the hotly anticipated “Black Ice Tour.”
“I don’t whether it’s a case of them maybe seeing a bit of themselves in where we’re at at the moment — you know, a band (that’s) a native of Good Brit in the States — but luckily enough, they were willing to give it to us,” Neeson said.
“We were in the running with another 200 bands, and I think if it had come down to industry politics, we wouldn’t have been within a hope in hell of getting it. So, it’s quite refreshing to know that a band like AC/DC still has the humanity to give it to a band that really needs it and, we feel, deserves it.”
Though the influence of AC/DC, along with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Black Crowes and Free, echoes through The Answer’s music, Neeson said the band has deliberately steered clear on any rock-retro blues clichés and worked to establish a distinctively modern sonic identity.
“When kids listen to a band, they want a band that’s gonna sound fresh and something that they can really attach themselves to and be a part of,” he said.
The band’s winding journey with AC/DC is ending later this month, as the Irish lads embark Nov. 25 on their first headlining tour of the U.K. Along the “Black Ice Tour,” the group has played a few solo shows, including Tuesday night and back in January at Ardmore’s Two Frogs Grill.
“They’re the best live act I’ve ever seen at Two Frogs,” said owner Aubry Harris, whose venue recently hosted Bret Michaels and Vince Neil. “They’re a no-name in the States right now, but they’re smoking good. It’s only a matter of time before they hit big.”
In the event they become breakout rock stars, Neeson said The Answer will have some valuable insight into mounting a massive tour.
“It’s a lesson in how to pull off a tour of this magnitude. We (previously) spent 2 ½ years touring all around Europe and Japan and Australia and places like that. You know, we’re no strangers to life on the road, but … the sheer scale of the whole thing … you really have to pace yourself and come to terms with it as soon as you possibly can. You can’t let it kind of overawe you.”
In concert
AC/DC with The Answer
When: 8 tonight.
Where: Ford Center, 100 W Reno.
Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.okfordcenter.com.
-BAM
New releases for Nov. 3, 2009
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma native and country music star Carrie Underwood releases her third album, “Play On,” in stores today.
The new album, one of the most eagerly anticipated country records of the fall, already has spawned one hit with the sassy first single, “Cowboy Casanova.”
Also in music news, Oklahoma country star Reba McEntire makes an appearance on Andrea Bocelli’s “My Christmas”; she and the Italian singing star do a duet of “Blue Christmas” on the album.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Carrie Underwood, “Play On.”
Andrea Bocelli, “My Christmas.”
The Rolling Stones, “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert” (40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set).
Weezer, “Raditude.”
Foo Fighters, “Greatest Hits.”
Slayer, “World Painted Blood.”
Straight No Chaser, “Christmas Cheers.”
DVDs
Aliens in the Attic
The Answer Man
Command Performance
Food, Inc.
G.I. Joe Real American Hero: Season 1.2
G.I. Joe: Resolute
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
I Love You, Beth Cooper
The Marc Pease Experience
North By Northwest
Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America
Books
“Ford County” by John Grisham.
“Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer.
“The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory” by David Plouffe.
“A Christmas Blizzard” by Garrison Keillor.
“The Humbling” by Philip Roth.
“In Too Deep (39 Clues Series No. 6)” by Jude Watson.
“It’s Your Time: Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams and Increase in God’s Favor” by Joel Osteen.
“Kindred in Death (In Death Series No. 29)” by J. D. Robb.
“The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver.
“No Less Than Victory: A Novel of World War II” by Jeff Shaara.
“One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity” by Debbie Macomber.
“Our Choice” by Al Gore.
“A Quilter’s Holiday: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel” by Jennifer Chiaverini.
“Rachael Ray’s Book of Ten: More Than 300 Recipes to Cook Every Day” by Rachael Ray.
“Rainwater” by Sandra Brown.
-BAM
Box office report for Nov. 2, 2009
The Halloween weekend was friendly to “Thriller” star Michael Jackson’s farewell film.
“Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” which opened last Wednesday, made $101 million worldwide in its first five days in theaters. According to the Associated Press, distributor Sony plans to extend the performance film beyond its originally planned two-week theatrical run.
The film was the No. 1 Halloween thriller domestically with a $21.3 million opening weekend, the AP reported. It raised its domestic total to $32.5 million.
The movie made $68.5 million overseas, including $10.4 million in Japan, $6.3 million in Germany, $5.8 million in France and $3.2 million in China.
In the United Kingdom, where Jackson had planned a marathon series of 50 sold-out London concerts starting last July, the movie earned $7.6 million. “This Is It” features Jackson in behind-the-scenes performances the weeks before his death last June, as he rehearsed his biggest hits for the London shows.
Sony plans to extend the run of “This Is It” overseas on a country-by-country basis, with most territories probably getting one to three weeks of extra playing time, according to the AP.
The previous weekend’s No. 1 movie, Paramount’s mico-budget horror sensation “Paranormal Activity,” dropped to No. 2 with $16.5 million. That brings its total to a whopping $84.8 million.
“Paranormal Activity” may have proved the killing blow for Lionsgate’s long-running gorefest franchise “Saw.” After a lackluster debut the previous weekend, “Saw VI” fell to No. 5 in its second weekend. It made $5.6 million, raising its total to just $22.8 million after 10 days. Previous sequels in the serial-killer series all had topped $30 million during opening weekend alone.
Here’s the list of the weekend’s top 10 movies, according to the AP:
1. “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” $21.3 million.
2. “Paranormal Activity,” $16.5 million.
3. “Law Abiding Citizen,” $7.3 million.
4. “Couples Retreat,” $6.1 million.
5. “Saw VI,” $5.6 million.
6. “Where the Wild Things Are,” $5.1 million.
7. “The Stepfather,” $3.4 million.
8. “Astro Boy,” $3.04 million.
9. “Amelia,” $3 million.
10. “Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant,” $2.8 million.
-BAM
New releases for Oct. 27, 2009
Halloween is almost here, so naturally the number of Christmas-related releases is beginning to increase, a trend that will only intensify as the holiday shopping season heats up.
Sting pays tribute to winter with his collection of songs, carols and lullabies “If On A Winter’s Night …” Taylor Swift and U2 have special editions of their hit albums out in time for seasonal giving.
Also in new CDs, The Swell Season, the Oscar-winning duo behind the film and soundtrack to “Once,” release their second album. And Grammy-nominated country singer Joe Nichols has his new record, “Old Things New,” out this week; I’ll have an interview with Nichols next week, when he’s playing Oklahoma City’s Wormy Dog Saloon.
In DVDs, the next installment of the wildly popular Disney Fairies series, “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” is out, and I’ll have a review and interview with the director and producer soon. Another family-friendly new release is “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.” Also, Woody Allen’s latest film, “Whatever Works,” and the horror film “Orphan,” are new on DVD.
In books, titles from Anne Rice, Emeril Lagasse, Robert Jordan, Phil Mickelson and Hulk Hogan are out this week.
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Sting, “If On A Winter’s Night…”
U2, “The Unforgettable Fire” (Super Deluxe Edition).
Taylor Swift, “Fearless” (Platinum Edition).
Pink Martini, “Splendor in the Grass.”
The Swell Season, “Strict Joy.”
Tegan & Sara, “Sainthood.”
Stephen Stills, “Live at Shepherd’s Bush” (CD/DVD set).
R.E.M., Live At The Olympia” (CD/DVD set).
Joe Nichols, “OId Things New.”
DVDs
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
The Guardian: The First Season
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Night Of The Creeps
Nothing Like the Holidays
Orphan
Stan Helsing
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Whatever Works
Books
“Tempted (House of Night Series No. 6)” by P. C. Cast.
“Angel Time: The Songs of the Seraphim” by Anne Rice.
“Ayn Rand and the World She Made” by Anne C. Heller.
“The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy” by Bill Simmons.
“Emeril Quick and Easy” by Emeril Lagasse.
“The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time Series No. 12)” by Robert Jordan.
Grave Secret (Harper Connelly Series No. 4)” by Charlaine Harris.
“Last Night in Twisted River” by John Irving.
“Matchless: A Christmas Story” by Gregory Maguire.
“My Life Outside the Ring” by Hulk Hogan.
“Nigella Christmas” by Nigella Lawson.
“Secrets of the Short Game” by Phil Mickelson.
“True Blue” by David Baldacci.
“You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas” by Augusten Burroughs.
-BAM
Tickets to Tulsa KISS show go on sale this morning
KISS (Associated Press photo)
Tickets to the Dec. 8 stop on the “KISS ALIVE 35” 2009 North American Tour at the BOK Center in Tulsa go on sale at 10 a.m. this morning.
Ticket prices are $128, $78, $49.50, $29.50. VIP Packages will be available.
The tickets will be available at www.bokcenter.com, the Arby’s Box Office at the arena, all Tickets.com outlets, Reasor’s stores or by phone at (866) 7BOKCTR.
On the tour, KISS will celebrate years of rocking the world and treat their legions of fans to a set of some of rock’s greatest hits, including “Rock and Roll All Nite,” “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” and “Detroit Rock City,” as well as songs from the band’s new album ”Sonic Boom.”
This show will feature a new stage set, pyro effects that only the “hottest band in the world” could deliver, and all-new costumes. The “KISS ALIVE 35″ North American Tour also marks the first leg of the world’s first fan-routed tour – in which more than 10,000 individual cities across Canada and the U.S. mounted their own unique campaigns to bring KISS to their towns.
“Sonic Boom,” KISS’ new album and its first new material in 11 years, was released exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam’s Club retail locations on Oct. 6. Produced by the band’s Paul Stanley in Los Angeles, the album is the centerpiece of a three-disc set that also features a completely re-recorded greatest hits CD as well as a live DVD shot in Argentina during the band’s recent, record-breaking “KISS ALIVE 35″ South American Tour.
More KISS information is available at www.KISSonline.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Oct. 23-25, 2009
Bob Dylan (Associated Press photo)
Here is a list of events happening around Oklahoma this weekend (Oct. 23-25, 2009). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- TULSA — Hear legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: (918) 582-7239 or www.bradytheater.com.
- Browse a vast array of antiques, collectibles, clothing and more at “An Affair of the Heart.” The arts and crafts show will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday in seven buildings at State Fair Park, NW 10 and May. Information: (800) 755-5488 or www.aaoth.com.
- Hear Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers at 8 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Or listen to Jackson Taylor with Back Porch Mary at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog. Information: www.wormydog.com.
Emily Skinner (Mrs. Lovett) and Jeff McCarthy ( Sweeney Todd) head the cast of the Lyric at the Plaza production of “ Sweeney Todd.” (Photo by Wendy Mutz)
- Watch Lyric Theatre open its 2009-10 season with “Sweeney Todd” at 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Lyric at the Plaza, 1725 NW 16. Information: 524-9312 or www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
- Listen to … And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead with Future Of The Left and Callupsie at 8 tonight at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.
- NORMAN — Venture into the world of Sasquatch when forensic artist Harvey Pratt participates in a lecture, book signing and art exhibit opening reception titled “They Walk Among Us — Bigfoot: Bewitched and Bedeviled” from 7 to 10 tonight at Tribes 131 Gallery, 131 24 Ave. NW. Information: 329-4442.
- MIAMI – Hear Jack Ingram at 7 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
Alfonso Martin and Karina Gonzalez head the cast of the Tulsa Ballet production of “ Dracula.”
- See the Tulsa Ballet’s performances of “Dracula” at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: (918) 749-6030 or www.tulsaballet.com.
- Listen to Built to Spill with Dinosaur Jr. and Lou Barlow & the Missing Men at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Information: www.diamondballroom.net.
- Celebrate Halloween with “light not fright” at the annual Magic Lantern Celebration from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday in the Paseo Arts District, between NW 28 and Walker and NW 30 and Dewey. The family event includes costume making, a costume parade, live music and dancing. It is free but donations will be accepted. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
Hundreds of torch-bearing skeletons walk in the 2008 “Ghouls Gone Wild” Halloween parade in downtown Oklahoma City. (Photo by Jaconna Aguirre/The Oklahoman Archives)
- See The Flaming Lips’ “March of 1,000 Skeletons” and other spooky spectres in the third annual “Ghouls Gone Wild” Halloween parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. Saturday in downtown. After the parade, Stardeath and White Dwarfs will perform a free outdoor show at about 9:30 p.m. across the street from TAP Architecture, 415 N Broadway Ave. Information: www.ghoulsgonewildokc.com.
- TULSA – Catch Drive-By Truckers with James McMurtry in concert at 7 p.m. Sunday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. Or hear Mute Math with Tall as Lions at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cain’s. (Mute Math and Tall as Lions will play the Diamond Ballroom in OKC on Tuesday as well.) Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
- EL RENO - Hear Stone Temple Pilots at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Lucky Star Casino Concho, 7777 N Highway 81, El Reno. Information: www.luckystarcasino.org.
- Take in ’50s-inspired music and fashion at the “Rockabilly Weekend,” which begins tonight at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N Laird Ave., as part of an ongoing series of events recognizing the state’s rock ‘n’ roll roots. Doors open at 7 tonight. Performances will begin with The Beltline and then the Stark Weather Boys, who also will perform with headliner Clyde Stacy. A ’50s fashion show will be presented by The Velvet Monkey Salon. At 10 a.m. Saturday, a classic car show will take place outdoors, and games for children such as hula hoops, jump rope and bubble-blowing will be offered inside. People who want to register a car can call the center and get a free ticket for tonight’s concert. Information: 522-0780.
-BAM
Bon Jovi coming to Tulsa’s BOK Center in April
Rockers Bon Jovi will play April 13 at Tulsa’s BOK Center, the band and venue announced today.
Ticket prices and the on-sale date have not yet been announced.
With New Jersey’s New Meadowlands Stadium as their backdrop, Grammy Award-winning hometown heroes Bon Jovi performed at a concert and media event today that announced “The Circle World Tour.” The band is preparing to spend nearly two years spanning the globe, including the kickoff event of New Meadowlands Stadium, scheduled for May 26 and 27.
The New Meadowlands concerts will go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. Oct. 31, while additional tour dates go on sale beginning Nov. 9. Fans should continue to log on to www.bonjovi.com – or Oklahoma fans can go to www.bokcenter.com - for the most up-to-date concert and ticket on-sale information.
Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres performed an exclusive set for a select group of 5,000 lucky contest winners, fan club members and on-site construction workers currently at work building the New Meadowlands Stadium. Bon Jovi was also joined by New York Jets Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson, New York Giants President and CEO John Mara, as well as president and CEO of the New Meadowlands Stadium Company, Mark Lamping. New York’s radio station WPLJ DJ Race Taylor served as emcee.
Beginning with the band’s North American tour launch on Feb. 19 in Seattle, Bon Jovi will spend much of the next two years on the road, performing 135 shows in 30 countries. Following in the footsteps of their hugely successful “Lost Highway Tour, Bon Jovi will draw fans around the world into “The Circle,” with a residency at London’s O2 Arena in June 2010 before returning to America in the fall for an additional nationwide leg, and further dates well into 2011.
“It is often said that the third time is a charm, and in the case of the Bon Jovi/AEG Live relationship, this axiom certainly holds,” said Randy Phillips, President and CEO of AEG Live in a news release. “AEG Live has been honored to serve as the band’s worldwide tour promoters, from the 2005 ‘Have A Nice Day’ tour to the highest grossing tour of 2008, ‘Lost Highway,’ to the upcoming ‘The Circle World Tour’ in 2010. Bon Jovi is one of the most prolific and exciting live rock bands in the world.”
Having sold more than 120 million albums and performed more than 2,600 concerts in more than 50 countries for in excess of 34 million fans, Bon Jovi is at their best when they’re on the move, and that’s truer now than ever before. The Nov. 10 release of Bon Jovi’s new album, “The Circle,” and the band’s subsequent world tour, provides a powerful reassertion of Bon Jovi’s commitment to the hard-hitting rock ’n’ roll that has been the band’s indelible signature since it began more than 26 years ago.
Bon Jovi’s 2010 “The Circle World Tour” North American Itinerary:
February 19 Seattle, WA KeyArena
February 22 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion
February 24 Phoenix, AZ Jobing.com Arena
February 26 Anaheim, CA Honda Center
March 2 Sacramento, CA ARCO Arena
March 4 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
March 6 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
March 8 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
March 9 Omaha, NE Qwest Center
March 11 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena
March 13 Fargo, ND Fargodome
March 15 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
March 17 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
March 19 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
March 20 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
March 23 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
March 24 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
March 29 Washington, D.C. Verizon Center
April 7 St. Paul, MN Xcel Center
April 10 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
April 13 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
April 15 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
April 17 Tampa, FL St. Pete Times Forum
April 18 Ft. Lauderdale, FL BankAtlantic Center
April 21 Nashville, TN Sommet Center
April 22 Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Arena
May 26 East Rutherford, NJ New Meadowlands Stadium
May 27 East Rutherford, NJ New Meadowlands Stadium
July 15 Edmonton, AB Commonwealth Stadium
July 17 Winnipeg, MB Canad Inns Stadium
July 20 Toronto, ON Rogers Centre
July 24 Foxboro, MA Gillette Stadium
July 28 Regina, SK Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field
July 30 Chicago, IL Soldier Field
For more information on Bon Jovi’s North American tour, go to www.BonJovi.com.
-BAM
The Who’s Roger Daltrey speaks at ACM@UCO, playing solo tonight in Thackerville
Roger Daltrey takes a question from Scott Booker, president of the University of Central Oklahoma’s Academy of Contemporary Music, during a guest lecture Wednesday night at the school. (ACM@UCO photo)
Roger Daltrey, legendary frontman for The Who, spoke Wednesday night to a master class at the University of Oklahoma’s Academy of Contemporary Music.
As a guest lecturer, the singer spent about 90 minutes taking questions from ACM@UCO President Scott Booker and the student body. He talked about the history of The Who, discussed how music saved him as a disaffected teen and praised Oklahoma City-based rockers The Flaming Lips.
Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, who is active at ACM@UCO, was on hand for the Q&A. Coyne is a longtime fan of The Who; he and the Lips performed last year in the “VH1 Honors” tribute to The Who in Los Angeles.
And for anyone who still has doubts that the ACM@UCO is one of the most awesome things to come to Oklahoma City in awhile – the school won over the lead singer for The Who.
“I’m very impressed with your college – it’s fabulous,” Daltrey said. “And well done to the Lips!”
Daltrey also had some interesting words for his band’s infamous habit of smashing their instruments at the end of their shows.
“The most wonderful thing about that was, it was an art form,” Daltrey said. “What people don’t get about it, and what the journalists never wrote about, was the sound that it created. It was a total art form, it was music without space. That guitar was like an animal being slaughtered, and Pete did it with incredible artistry. It wasn’t just brutal destruction. He used to wail and howl, and Keith’s drumming would be so chaotic but perfectly in rhythm with the whole thing.”
My talented colleague George Lang has the full story on Daltrey’s visit to ACM@UCO. Click here to read it.
You can also see more photos of the singer’s appearance there at the ACM@UCO Facebook page. Click here to go there.
And if you’re interested in seeing Daltrey yourself, he’s playing a solo show at 9 tonight at WinStar World Casino off Interstate-35 in Thackerville. For more information, go to www.winstarworldcasino.com.
-BAM
Billy Joel and Elton John coming to Oklahoma City’s Ford Center
Billy Joel and Elton John, the most successful and longest-running concert pairing in pop music history, will bring their wildly successful “Face 2 Face” tour to Oklahoma City’s Ford Center at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 25, according to a news release.
Since kicking off the 2009 “Face 2 Face” tour in March 2009, the duo has performed more than 40 sold-out concerts in front of nearly three-quarters of a million people.
Joel and John open the concert with a series of duets, playing twin pianos and trading vocals. Each artist then performs a set with his own band. A grand finale brings the two superstars and their supporting musicians back together for a closing encore. This includes some of both Joel and John’s greatest hits along with an unpredictable selection of rock ‘n’ roll classics.
Tickets for the Ford Center show go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at all Ticketmaster locations; www.ticketmaster.com; www.livenation.com; the Ford Center box office or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets are limited to eight per customer.
“The great thing about performing with Elton is that he is such a good piano player and that makes me have to dig deep to keep up with him, not to mention I’ve got the best seat in the house-only one piano away from Elton John!” said Joel in the release.
“I love touring with Billy. I have the greatest respect for him and we’re such good friends,” John said in the release.
“It is truly and honor to have two of the biggest names in the business, Billy Joel and Elton John, as part of our fall lineup of events as we reopen the newly renovated Ford Center,” said Ford Center General Manager Gary Desjardins in the release.“We can’t wait to welcome these legendary musical talents!”
Concert dates announced this year for the “Face 2 Face” tour immediately sold out and included Boston’s Gillette Stadium and two concerts each at Toronto’s Air Canada Center, Seattle’s Key Arena, Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Philadelphia’s Citizen Bank Ballpark, in addition to concerts in Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Nashville, St. Paul and Tampa.
Other concert dates announced for the fall 2009 segment of the “Face 2 Face” tour include Little Rock, Portland, Oakland, San Jose and Salt Lake City.
Joel and John played the first date of their co-headlining “Face 2 Face” tour on July 8, 1994, at the 62,000- capacity Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. That Veterans Stadium concert began a run of 21 sold-out performances in 13 cities and established a winning formula for all future “Face 2 Face” concerts.
Perhaps the high point of that 1994 maiden voyage was the series of five concerts at 75,000-capacity Giants Stadium in New Jersey. In his review of the July 22 performance, Neil Strauss of the New York Times wrote: “Musically, the two gifted, idiosyncratic artists exist in the nether world between pop and rock, where Broadway show tunes, classical compositions, ragtime, gospel and rock-`n’-roll mingle freely.”
The 1994 “Face 2 Face” tour played its final concert Aug. 20 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. It had become one of the 10 biggest U.S. tours of all time. In March and April 1995, the “Face 2 Face” tour returned for 12 encore performances at some of the country’s largest stadiums.
Three years later, the tour that conquered North America took Europe, Japan and Australia by storm with a total of 30 performances.
Joel and John last toured together in 2003 with 24 sell-outs. According to Billboard it is “the most successful touring package of all time.”
For more information, go to www.okfordcenter.com.
-BAM
