Woodstock Legends To Appear at Park Theatre’s Rock ‘n’ Blues Fest

Tuesday, August 06, 2013

Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic

 

View Larger +

Woodstock veteran Canned Heat will appear at the 44th anniversary of legendary music festival, Woodstock.

If you thought Woodstock was only about peace, love, and folk music, you're mistaken–there were also screaming guitars, hardcore blues, and biker bands. And next week, the latter will be here in RI at the Park Theatre for a spectacular Rock ‘n’ Blues show. A total of five acts will appear, led by Woodstock veterans Canned Heat, Ten Years After, and Edgar Winter. And it all happens on the 44th anniversary of the start of the celebrated Woodstock Music and Arts festival.

Canned Heat

In the award winning film Woodstock (1970), Canned Heat literary opened the show with “Going Up the Country.” The iconic song is forever identified with Woodstock–the rural town, the four day concert and the hippie era. Canned Heat, who took their name from a 1928 Tommy Johnson song, “Canned Heat Blues,” was one band that gained notoriety at the Festival. In an interview with GoLocalProv, original bassist Larry Taylor noted that the legacy of Woodstock is mixed. While celebrating the spirit of peace and tolerance, he criticized “the excesses” that are associated with the festival, particularly “the drug culture that emerged.”

Taylor, a well known bass player who has recorded with the Monkees, Tom Waits, and John Mayall, appreciates the wide ranging audience he sees at shows–“from kids in their 20s to Woodstock veterans.” And he reminds us that the Blues, although not as prevalent today, are the basis of all modern music.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

Ten Years After

Ten Years After stole the Sunday night show at Woodstock with their commanding take on “I'm Going Home"–a song they “never tire of playing” according to bass player Leo Lyons. "The response of the fans is what keeps us going,” declared Lyons, in an interview with GoLocalProv. He pointed out that the Woodstock festival was like “the Coca-Cola of rock, a great piece of marketing that helped promote many careers.”

Fresh from shows in Moscow and Bosnia, he noted that life on the road is not getting any easier. He praised his close friend, guitarist Alvin Lee, who led Ten Years After at Woodstock. Lee died suddenly this spring, but as Lyons recalled, “left quite a legacy. He meant a lot to a lot of people, and he will be missed.” Lee penned the band’s only Top 40 hit, “I’d Love to Change the World,” a counterculture gem from 1971.

Edgar Winter

Edgar Winter also appeared at Woodstock, supporting his brother, blues legend Johnny Winter. Edgar, who was the first known performer to strap a keyboard on his body, is best known for his instrumental rock classic–“Frankenstein.” The #1 song appeared (along with another classic rocker, “Free Ride”), on Winter’s 1973 album They Only Come Out at Night.

Canned Heat, Ten Years After, and Edgar Winter, are joined by Rick Derringer and Pat Travers, next Thursday August 15th at the RI Performing Arts Center–also known as the Park Theatre. You'll hear some thunderous rock anthems on the anniversary of Woodstock, from a bunch of artists who still know how to rock. This is the real deal, not some over produced mega-show like the Stones or McCartney, but a testament from artists who are still hungry. You won’t want to miss it!

A limited number of tickets to the "Rock 'n’ Blues Festival" are still available starting at $55.00. Click here to order.

 

Ken Abrams reviews Roots, Rock and Americana for GoLocalProv. E-mail him suggestions at [email protected].

 

Related Articles

 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook