The
Music
Never
Dies
Article and Photos by Kathleen Walls
|
Changes in
Latitude onstage |
There are some places where the music never dies. I discovered
one in Alton, Illinois. you may think of Alton as part of
Abraham Lincoln's heritage. or the home of the world's tallest
man. Maybe it brings to mind the image of the Picta Bird.
Well, it is memorable for another
reason, Friday night music at the amphitheater on the Mighty
Mississippi. Most of the great
Street Parties
on American Roads occur
once a year but Alton keeps the music going from spring through
fall with four Five Dollar Friday Concerts in summer and other
events including some big name musicians from spring through
fall. The amphitheater offers seating for 3000 to 4000 people
and has a beautiful view fronting the Mississippi River.
|
The lighting was fantastic for
this show |
Alton keeps the music going in more ways than one. the night I
attended,
Changes in Latitude
, a
Jimmy Buffet
tribute band, did
a fantastic version of Hank Williams' "
Hey, Good Looking"
written and recorded by Hank and his Drifting Cowboys in 1951.
It was inducted into the Granny Hall of Fame in 2001. But
It goes even farther back. Hank wrote his version based on an
even older song of the same name but somewhat different lyrics
written by
Cole Porter
in 1942, probably before any of Changes
in Latitude band members were even born.
Other tribute bands that graced the huge
amphitheater stage brought to life the music made famous by
music greats of different venues.
Think Floyd USA played the second concert of the season. It's not hard to guess who they pay tribute
to; Pink Floyd
.
The season's third concert of the
season will reminisce about the
Rolling Stones
when Street Fighter takes the stage. The
year's final Five Dollar
Concert features Houses of the Holy who recreate the musical heritage of
Led Zeppelin
.
If this musical menagerie isn't enough,
big name performers like Little Texas
and Sawyer Brown
have
appeared there.
In addition to the music festivals,
fireworks and lots of fun events are held here also.
Guests may bring lawn chairs or blankets
and enjoy some great music. You can purchase everything from
beer, soft drinks, assorted food and items as varied as
sundresses or those little light sticks.
I have a video of this
preformace posted at
http://youtu.be/vRNPk0E2bms
For more info:
http://www.riverfrontamphitheater.com