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Blues festival features B.B. King, rocks ASU Sundome
By Joy Prue Community Editor
There is a large white tent with a sign that reads "Lloyd's Blues Music Festival 2001 VIP Hospitality Tent." Catering vans line up at the curb, featuring a large hot air Lloyd's Barbecue Pig. The Lloyd's Blues Music Festival 2001 tour lineup consists of The Tommy Castro Band, John Hiatt, Buddy Guy and, of course, the King of Blues B.B. King. We collect VIP tickets, third row center stage (definitely no hindrance to the view) VIP barbecue passes and, finally, the backstage passes. The lights dim, the crowd becomes silent and The Tommy Castro Band comes on stage. In addition to Castro's lightning guitar, is Keith Crossan on sax, Randy McDonald on bass and Billy Lee Lewis on drums. The Tommy Castro band plays hits that include, "Can't Keep A Good Man Down" and "Guilty Of Love." At the end of their performance, Castro and his band talk to fans and sign autographs in the lobby. Castro offers this advice to young people about the blues: "You gotta listen to the old stuff, the old cats. A lot of people like different kinds of blues, but we play electric blues. If you wanna play, listen to the old cats like John Lee Hooker and B.B. King." The first intermission concludes and the lights dim once again to introduce John Hiatt and the Goners. Hiatt is no newcomer to music, writing Three Dog Night's 1974 ``Sure as I'm Sitting Here,'' as well as recent hits, including ``Thing Called Love'' by Bonnie Raitt, ``Drive South'' by Suzy Boggus and the B.B. King and Eric Clapton song "Riding With the King." In addition to the talents of Hiatt, his band would not be complete without guitarist Sonny Landreth, bassist Dave Ranson and drummer Kenneth Blevins. Hiatt steals the show with his hip movements and his rock blues touch. Hiatt and the Goners performance includes "Everybody Went Low" and a hit from his new CD, The Tiki Bar Is Open. There is a lot of disappointment when Hiatt and The Goners offer no opportunities for chatting or autographs. After the second intermission, Buddy Guy takes the stage. King of the Chicago blues, Guy got the crowd hopping to the beat of "She Got The Devil In Her" and "Hootchie Coochie Man." Fans voice their anger after waiting in line for an autograph, only to be told Guy would only autograph compact discs, t-shirts and posters. No program books, no exceptions. At the close of the third break, the lights come on to display the Kings' court doing their 10-minute musical introduction before the man himself and Lucille come to the stage. The band consists of drummer Caleb Emphry, bassist, Michael Doster, saxman, Melvin Jackson, and trumpet player, James Bolden, aka. Dr. Boogaloo. Finally, the crowd hoots, hollers and applauds as the King of Blues enters stage right. B.B. King wears a purple button up, crushed velvet shirt and black pants, while the other members of the band wear jeans and button up shirts, the apparent clothing choice of blues bands. B.B. King is escorted onto the main stage and takes his place in a chair at the front . The crowd gives a standing ovation. Then the solemn feeling of the blues fills the air. "You are probably all thinking I am too old to stand and play the blues, and at 76 years old you may be right," says King jokingly. "My band says I have earned the right to sit down if I want, and I want to sit down!" King rocks the stage as well as our hearts, playing hit tunes like, "Caldonia," "When Love Comes To Town," "Ain't That Just Like A Woman" and "I'll Survive." Standing ovations brings the King back with the legendary hit, "The Thrill Is Gone." As soon as King concludes the finale, he stands and throws out handfuls of his guitar picks, removes all of his necklaces and bracelets and tosses them to the crowd. "Thanks to all of you for being here!" he says. Our excitement is now at its peak as we gather by the American Flag to be escorted backstage. The security guards check our passes, and we ascend the stairway. King is in his dressing room relaxing in a chair by the mirrored lights. As we enter the room, our knees tremble, but B.B. King reaches out and shakes Weinzer's hand as she replies, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir. Thank you for your music." Weinzer stands at his side and I stands behind as another couple take our picture. King empties a cup of guitar picks and lapel pins and says, "Help yourselves." B.B. King is definitely the King of Blues and has a heart of gold. He stays until all of his backstage fans receive pictures and autographs. He may be 76-years-old, but the Thrill Is Not Gone! |
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Last
updated: April 12, 2002 |
