Category: Power Pop Concerts

Celebrating The Arrival of The Beatles at JFK Airport

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[cycloneslider id=”honoring-beatles-50th-anniversary” fx=”fade” timeout=”5000″ speed=”1000″ width=”600″ height=”400″ show_prev_next=”true” show_nav=”true” hover_pause=”true”] I was very lucky to get into the ceremony celebrating the arrival of The Beatles at JFK Airport in 1964. The NY news media was there in force as they met with Beatle fans and other dignitaries at the event in the famous TWA Flight Center, a building that Port Authority Executive Director  Pat Foye described “painstakingly recreated” as a symbol of the early sixties “jet age.”

The one official getting most of the attention was Gary Millar, the Lord Mayor Councillor of Liverpool (UK). I also met Billy J. Kramer, a British Invasion/Merseybeat singer who often opened for the Fab Four in those early days. A commemorative plaque was unveiled for the occasion, and the Beatles cover band Liverpool played a few songs in advance of this weekend’s Fest for Beatles Fans. Check out Liverpool’s performance embedded on the last slide above. (Note: Keep your mouse pointer in the slide area to view the video without interruption.)

Glen_BurticI was fortunate to do a mini-interview with Liverpool lead singer/guitarist Glen Burtnik. It was pretty cool even though I was “winging it.” Glen was very friendly and approachable, he’s worked alongside Marshall Crenshaw in Broadway’s Beatlemania and mentored Graham Alexander. We started talking before I even got his full name!

IPO Fall 2013 Report

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Following our own Power Popaholic Fest lead, the International Pop Overthrow came back to New York in the borough of Brooklyn last week. The venue was easy to get to, plus Matchless boasts a good sound system and plenty of room for patrons to get up close and personal with the IPO artists.

The music was uniformly very good, and special kudos goes to Cliff Hillis who played with both Corin Ashley and Starbelly. I was impressed with several bands; The Modulators brought a roaring audience with them, and the Rousers are another tight combo that didn’t miss a note. Guest Kurt Reil joined London Egg on stage,  Meyerman rocked loudly and Jana Peri had a full band backing her great voice. Like the spring IPO in NYC, power pop veterans Starbelly mesmerized the crowd. An excellent time was had by all, thank you David Bash for another successful concert series!

Concert Review: Roger Hodgson (Supertramp)

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RHodgson_loves_powerpopaholicI reported on his tour a few weeks ago, and I happen to catch Roger’s last NY area show at The Westbury Music Fair. There are few vocalists instantly recognizable from the first few bars of a song but Roger Hodgson is certainly one of that unique group. As the primary singer/songwriter of Supertramp, his voice is as unmistakable as the distinct keyboard sound of his early hits.

The venue “in the round” had fantastic acoustics and the audience loved the warm, intimate ambiance. The band was precise and production was lush. Special kudos to Aaron MacDonald who played all the horns and wind instruments with such note perfect skill. Every hit song got a standing ovation, from “Take The Long Way Home,” “Logical Song” and more, ending with a big sing-along for “Give A Little Bit” as an encore. Backstage, he was gracious and enthusiastic that I reported on his performance. Hope he comes back for an interview someday, it was quite a special night. Visit his website here.

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The Orion Experience… at XL Nightclub.

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I reviewed this band long ago and even introduced them at IPO in 2007, so its refreshing to see a musical act try and push the boundaries of what a band can accomplish or how the audience sees them. This new approach turns the average concert into something of a spaced-themed private party for concert goers with lots of band interaction. I wish them the best of success. Get tickets at www.theorionexperience.com