Born In The USA

"It stays with you, and it makes life feel so good!" Wolfman Jack on Top 40 radio

Hola cosmic rockers,

How was your fourth? I hope you all enjoyed our USA freedom to share time with friends and family, barbeque, catch some fireworks etc.

We caught a "free" (I love that word) concert under the stars at the Fort McDowell Casino and it was absolutely incredible as was the fireworks. The night before we enjoyed a fun barbeque at the Hofdahl Ranchero in Paradise Valley. Isn't it wonderful to spend time with good friends?

Note: Juan Hofdahl is a investment genius buying in PV. He got abused in the last trip report but he is one good friend and smart guy.

Back to the Concert

Gerry was not thrilled to be going to this concert. She is not the aficionado of late 50's early sixties music like I am. She preferred to stay home and listen to Mozart or Bach and watch the fireworks poolside. Also she thought that everyone that would be there lived in a trailer park in Apache Junction.
I don't know where she got this type of arrogant, rico Republican attitude. Once she got there she got caught up in the fervor of the moment, had a few Bud Lights and she was a Democrat again.

The groups that played are Rock & Roll Legends. The lead singer of the Diamonds, David Sommerville is now 72 years old. He looks and sounds great. There were at least one original member in each group. They are still carrying the torch. This music is eternal it will never die.

The Lineup

Opening Act

The Diamonds were a clean-cut white vocal group that had sixteen hits between 1956 and 1961, ten which were covers of songs sung by black R&B artists. Their biggest hit, LiL Darlin is in the top all time 100 of Rolling Stone's greatest hits.(#98)
Chills ran down my spine when he rolled into that one.

Next

The Marvelettes-One of the great Motown groups they hit number one on the charts in 61 with Please Mr. Postman. C'mon everyone knows that one! Beechwood 4-5789 played through my head while I was at Billinghurst Jr. High (you can call me any time) Other hits included Playboy and Don't mess with Bill.
They really got the geritol crowd of 4,000 going.

The Crystals
I am an aficionado of the girl group sound, and I believe that there can't be five acts more beloved than the Crystals. Their best-known songs, which include "He's a Rebel," "Uptown," "Da Doo Ron Ron," "Then He Kissed Me," and "There's No Other Like My Baby," are what I consider to be some of the finest examples of the best that American rock & roll had to offer in the period before the British Invasion.
The sisters were fantastic!! You go girls!!!
Closing
The Contours was a soul singing group on the Motown label during the 60's. Their biggest hit, "Do You Love Me (Now That I Can Dance)", was a pop hit in 1962 (#3 on the charts) and was prominently featured in the 1987 movie, Dirty Dancing.
They brought down the house and then the great fireworks was the icing on the cake.
Ok that's it, concert # 452, & 206 different groups/artists seen in concert.