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My phrase of the year for Summerfest 2008 is "Tore It Up!" As in "Joe Cocker & Steve Miller tore it up at the Marcus Amphitheater!", "Petty & Winwood tore it up!", "Jon Paris tore it up at the Harley Roadhouse!", and, of course, "Phil Lesh and Friends...
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The word of the year at the 2008 Big Gig was "MONSTER!" As in MONSTER sets, MONSTER bands, MONSTER guitarists. Monster sets were delivered by monster bands, including Joe Cocker, Dweezil Zappa, Tom Petty, Blondie, Steve Winwood, Stevie Wonder, Phil Lesh and Friends, Mickey Hart...and the list...
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Check out my interview with legendary guitarist and Milwaukee native Daryl Stuermer.
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I still have a ton of stuff to write about this year's Big Gig. Stay tuned as I continue to share my thoughts throughout the month of July and beyond, including interviews with the legendary George Porter, Jr. and Milwaukee's own Daryl Stuermer. But first, I need sleep.
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Jam band royalty was in the house again last night as Mickey Hart, one of the drummers for the Grateful Dead, brought the latest incarnation of his band to the Zippo Rock Stage to close this year's Big Gig. Mickey is a world-renowned drummer and he always tours with a first-rate band. What musician...
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After 11 straight days of nonstop bands, my hearing is fried to a crispy crackly crunch.
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After Steve Winwood's set, I asked my daughter Rachel what she was thinking and she waded into her literary grab bag by quoting from Hitchhiker's Guide. "Everything's cool and froody, dad." And it certainly was. Playing to a packed house of probably 25,000 at the Marcus Amphitheater...
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This was a classic, campers. Two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers. Same stage. Same night. All is right in my world. From the moment Steve Winwood took the stage, it was nearly four hours of pure bliss at the Marcus Amphitheater. Opening with "I'm a Man," this was vintage Winwood. No other...
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I love this shirt...gotta find myself one. Come to the Dark Side...we have cookies.
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Hey campers! I got a chance to speak with Elliott Hill at the Cascio Groove Garage, Summerfest's hidden gem. Check out the interview here.
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It's always a party when I see my rock & roll brother, Michael Becker. Michael and his lovely wife, Joan, own Blues Conspiracy , a phenomenal company that sells the greatest rock & roll t-shirts you'll ever see. Check out my interview with this walking, talking encyclopedia of rock &...
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Last night at the Briggs & Stratton Big Backyard, royalty was in the house. Phil Lesh, whose bass guitar drove The Grateful Dead, brought his Phil and Friends tour to our fair city for a night of musical magic. As I mentioned yesterday, Phil was the centerpiece around which I built my 11-day Summerfest...
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Hi kids! I know I've fallen behind in sharing my favorites, but sometimes that's how it goes in rock & roll. Rest assured, there is much more to come and I will continue posting here throughout the month of July. Here's my favorite T-shirt from yesterday: It takes a big man to cry...but...
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The Potawatomi Stage was as packed as I've ever seen it last night as an adoring throng gathered for reggae royalty. That would be The Wailers. Walking to the show I was soaking up the majestic setting on our great lake (that would be Lake Michigan for the geographically challenged), knowing that...
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Check out this video from the Summerfest administration building .