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Thursday, August 2, 2012

ROCK OUT @ MAYO PERFORMING ARTS CENTER AUGUST 16

EdgarWinter06ROCK ‘N’ BLUES FESTIVAL

FEATURING

  • JOHNNY WINTER BAND
  • EDGAR WINTER GROUP
  • RICK DERRINGER
  • MOUNTAIN’S LESLIE WEST
  • SAVOY BROWN’S KIM SIMMONDS

WHEN: THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 7:30 PM
WHERE: Mayo Performing Arts Center, 100 South Street, Morristown
TICKETS: $77(Golden Circle), $67, $57, $47, $37
www.mayoarts.org


Rock out with a who’s who of classic blues guitar heroes, including The Johnny Winter Band, The Edgar Winter Group (“Free Ride”), Rick Derringer (“Rock N’ Roll, Hoochie Koo”), Mountain’s Leslie West (“Mississippi Queen”) and Savoy Brown’s Kim Simmonds.

Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones once said, "If you don't know the blues... there's no point in picking up the guitar and playing rock and roll or any other form of popular music."

Beginning in late July, the Rock'n'Blues Fest will debut featuring five well-known players who were initially inspired to pick up their instruments due to their love for rock and blues: Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Leslie West and Kim Simmonds (see tour itinerary below).

"I think the blues will always be around," says legendary blues guitarist Johnny Winter, who will be performing as part of the Johnny Winter Band and headlining the Rock'n'Blues Fest tour. "People need it."

As the story goes, at the age of 17, Johnny went to see B.B. King in his home state of Texas, and requested a turn at the mic. King eventually gave in and handed his guitar to Johnny, who ended up getting a standing ovation for his performance. Needless to say, it wouldn't be long before Johnny had his own legion of followers.

Joining Johnny for the Rock'n'Blues Fest "ride" will be his younger brother, Edgar Winter, who has certainly met with considerable acclaim in his own right with such monster hits as "Free Ride" and the chart-topping rocker, "Frankenstein."

"As far as I'm concerned, blues and jazz are the great American contributions to music," comments Edgar, who will be bringing the Edgar Winter Band along for the almost two-month trek.

Next on the bill is rock guitarist Rick Derringer, who's had an illustrious career as both a solo artist and critical band member. Air guitaristswill surely be out in force when Rick breaks into his well-known rock anthem, "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo." The song continues to be a staple on rock radio and was featured in several movies.

Although perhaps best known as a founding member of the band Mountain, guitarist Leslie West began his musical career with an R&B/Blue-eyed soul rock outfit called The Vagrants, who would quickly enjoy a few hits. Shortly after the formation of Mountain with bass guitarist/producer Felix Pappalardi, keyboardist Steve Knight and drummer N.D. Smart in 1969, the band would find themselves performing on day two of the legendary Woodstock festival in August of that year.

Considered one of the architects of British blues, Kim Simmonds began performing professionally in London in the mid-60's after learning how to play guitar by listening to his brother's blues records as a teenager. As leader and founder of the legendary blues rock band, Savoy Brown, he has 49 album releases currently available and continues to tour all over the world with the band as well as a solo acoustic act.

Due to their close involvement with each other throughout their careers, it's likely that various artists on the forthcoming Rock'n'Blues Fest will unite on stage to perform some unexpected classic songs together.

One can only hope.

Five great musicians... one incredible tour of rock and blues music.

Who said, "There ain't no cure for the summertime blues?"

www.johnnywinter.net/backstage_press

www.edgarwinter.com

www.rickderringer.com

www.mountainrockband.com

www.kimsimmonds.com