Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 22, 1987)
MAINSTAGE CABARET and JIN ROBERTS present Special Student Price day of performance only on Oct. 23. 24 and 25 Any rcm.iininy tickets wilt be >6.50 with Student I t) and with this coupon The West Coast Premiere of The El lie Greenwich Musical Hack by Popular Demand! DIRECTED BY MELINA NEAL MUSIC At DIRECTION ft l HOREOGRAKHY BY RICH OKAY SET flf SOUND DESIGN BY -JUS ROBERTS UQHTINQ DESIGN BY DAVID SHERMAN Tickets: $9.50 and $8.50 Available at all Hull Center Outlets OCTOBER 23. 24. 23flf 29. 30. 31 1987 at 7:30 pm HOLT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS Sponsored by KKXOit: I. .in iiiiiii . ■ —■»■" ■ ■" ' ■■■■ ■■■ I Cameras so advanced, they are intelligent FUJI Automatic 35 mm’s • Drop in loading • Auto prewinding • Auto focusing • Automatic flash • Auto exposure • Auto film speed • Lithium batteries • LCD panel DL-30 35MM List 9995 69.95 DL-300 35MM List 239 95169.95 DISC FILM SPECIAL All Fuji Disc Film $1.49 □ SPOTLIGHT Positive thinking and consistent style keeps REO Speedwagon on track By N<)than Deer Emerald Contributor REO Speedwagon believes in the power of positive thinking. "Most of our songs have a positive message,” said Neal Doughty, one of the original band members, in a telephone in terview from California "The lyrics encourage people to have faith in themselves and to believe in themselves, and things will work out all right We've never been into predicting the end of the world or anything like that We believe in the power of positive thinking." And no wonder. RKO Speedwagon. who plays the Mult Center H p.m. Wednesday, has endured as a band for almost 20 years in the highly competitive world of rock music. It takes a positive attitude to survive that long. "We've had some rough times," said Doughty, who plays keyboards "We've also had a lot of success. But back in the beginning when things weren't so good, we perservered. That kind of attitude is reflected in our music.” REX) Speedwagon was born in the late '60s at the Universi ty of Illinois in Chainpaign-Urbana Doughty and drummer Alan Gratzner were dormitory roommates and decided to form a band to play at fraternity parties. Doughty and Gratzer recruited the other band members and soon branched out into area clubs. Their ambition to be the "hottest band in Illinois” (|uickly materialized. Then their success spread across the Midwest, and they finally headed for Los Angeles. After two promising albums, the band hit the doldrums and its next four albums were only modest successes. Then, in 1(177. RKO Speedwagon finally attained national prominence as a rtM.k n roll band with the release of the group's live album, "You Get What You Play For." Since 1977. REO Speedwagon has continued to attract popular and critical acclaim. In 1981 when the group released its biggest selling album, the multi-platinum smash. "Hi In fidelity." In 1982 the band recorded “Good Trouble,” which also attained platinum status (over 1 million sales), and Speed wagon followed in 1984 with "Wheels Are Turnin,” which sold to nearly double platinum levels. REO Speedwagon’s latest release. "Life as We know It," released last February, is selling briskly. After 20 years in the music business, the group would be expected to change its musical style. But the music, although more versatile and polished, still focuses on what Doughty called, "good times.” "We do play more ballads,” Doughty said. "But we still have a lot of rockers too. 1 think we’ve become more versatile as a band these last five to 10 years. People generally think of us as a ‘good times' band, and that's certainly true, but our big gest hit songs have been ballads.” Perhaps the group’s biggest hit is "Gan’t Fight This Feel ing," which was the number one single for three weeks in 1984. Other hits include "Keep On Loving You." "Take It On The Run," and "Live Every Moment.” The fact that REO Speedwagon has not only survived but prospered as a band is testament to the group’s remarkable longevity in a business known for its ephemerality. Doughty thinks the reason for the group’s longevity has to do with the its chemistry. "The main reason for our continued success and longevity is because we have five compatible people working together," he said. "A lot of bands break up due to ego conflicts When they get famous people start treating them differently and they think they're special. It took us so long to really become well known that we’d worked out all that ego stuff long before. We know what to expect from one another and we know and < our1r*> Photo Twenty years and counting. Rt'.O Speed wagon's "wheels are tumin." The hand will perform at the llult Center next Wednesday at 8 p.m. respect one another." Doughty also thinks that the band's democratic style of organization helps. "When it comes to making records. Kevin (Cronin, lead vocalist and guitarist) has more influence." Doughty said. "Hut on the whole, we’re pretty democratic as a group Three of us co-produce our records, and four of us write songs. And in everday life we cooperate with one another very well." Another interesting fact about REO Speedwagon is that in spite of the hand's longevity, the average age of the concert goers is between 18 and 25. "We recently had a demographic study conducted, and it showed that in addition to the 18 to 25 age group, our music appeals almost equally to males and females," Doughty said. "But at concerts I see all kinds of people. Most are younger, hut the older generation is represented too. It's gratifying to see two generations of fans attending our concerts." And the mason for that, he said, is once again the (land's image and musical style. "Music with honest emotions and a positive outlook ap peals to all kinds of people," he said. "We like to have fun with our music. We play loud, aggressive, hut basically fun and affirmative music. It's a style of music that refuses to fade away." Tickets for the REO Speedwagon concert are available at the I lull Center ticket office. Falcolns, Flies, Guardians highlight Saturday's 'Beyond the Fringe' f 1 (jjurtnt phoiu The Lost Falcons are. from left: John Harley. Boyd Small. Andy Strange and Henry t'ooper. By Cyndee Haines Emerald Contributor Beyond The Fringe is an entertain ment spectacular featuring many of Kugene's finest local musicians and per formers. The show is one night only, at 8:30 p.m Saturday, upstairs at the Vet’s Club. Beyond The Fringe stars three great bands, The Lost Falcons. The Electric Flies and The Guardians of American Morality. If that isn’t enough, the legen dary Radar Angeles and The leftside Dancers also will appear There will be something for everyone: go-go dancing, square dancing, fantastic rock n roll and a few surprises. Headlining the show will be The Lost Falcons, a red-hot four-piece rock group The band was formed in 1984 and specializes in fast rockers as well as smooth rhythm and blues. The group s song list ranges from a blistering version of Johnny Burnette’* "Lonesome Train" to standard!! like "Shakin’ All Over" and "Sea Cruise." The lost Falcons are based in Eugene and always play to large crowds at Taylor's and Max's Taverns when in town. The band recently returned from a very successful lour of Europe where they rocked crowds in Sweden. Norway. Finland, Denmark, Switzerland. West Germany and the Netherlands, hacking rhythm and blues great Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Screamin' Jay is best known for his 1950's hit "1 Put A Spell On You." The lost Falcons are Henry Cooper, slide guitar, harmonica and vocals; John Barley, guitar and vocals; Boyd Small, drums and vocals and Andy Strange, bass guitar Cooper’s searing slide guitar solos and tasty harp playing make him one of the Northwest's most versatile and revered musicians. John Barley's guitar work is solid and he also is an outstanding songwriter The Lost Falcons recently recorded several Harley masterpieces, in cluding "Hello Baby” and "Bring It Back." Boyd Small is simply the best nick drummer in Kugcue and possibly the Northwest. Small attended the Universi ty Music School and is an accomplished songwriter and singer Andy Strange, the youngest Falcon, plays fender bass and is currently a stu dent at the University. Strange received his professional start with The Imposters and, combined with Small, the Falcons have a tremendous rhythm section. The Electric Flies are an exciting rock 'n roll trio specializing m titls dance music. Their repertoire includes well known standards and some great obscure tunes. The Flies are led by whirlwind guitarist/singer/song writer Kandy Haines, formerly of the Milkmen. His very capable rhythm section includes ex Soulsasions bassit lake Thompson and drummer Jeff Strawbridge. both Univer sity students. The Guardians of American Morality describe their music as country and "calypso-billy." The members are John iiarley. guitar and vocals; Jerome tier ryhill. guitar: Dennis Fitzgerald, drums: Molly l)rahn, voculs; Stacey Sorenson, bass; and Mark Howerton, vocals. The Guardians' songlist incudes old standards such as "I’m An Old Cowhand" and "Ballad Of The Green Berets.” The leftside Dancers have performed together in tin* Fugene area for several years and are choreographer/director Anne Cooper, Donna Biggs, Diana Taylor and Sandy Alperin. Serving as mistress of < eremonies will !>e Kene Margolin, who has performed with Live Matinee and On The F.dge. two Fugene theatrical groups. Tickets for Beyond the Fringe are $-1 ami all guests must be 21 years of age Vouch of Class Clothing WE PAY THE HIGHEST PRICES IN TOWN FOR YOUR USED CLOTHING - CONSIGNMENTS AND TRADES ALSO - By Appointment Only (Contemporary styles in natural fibers and blends for women and children) FABULOUS FUN FOR HALLOWEEN C heck out our fantastic Halloween costumes and accessories! A r Mon. - Fri. 10:00-5:30 Sat. 10:00-5:00 2650 Willamette 343-0095 3* All Day Every Day Mon.Fri. 8:30 8:00pm Sat. tO-6pm Print America 539 E. 13th 485-1940 TREAT THE HOME TEAM! Drop In For Your Favorite Treat After the Game or Order Your Favorite Dessert For Your After the Game Party BASKIN (|f|) ROBBINS BASKIN ROBBINS 1365 VILIARD ST EUGENE. OR 97401 484 1031 KtSTAl IRANI □ Specializing in Mandarin Cuisine □ Northern Gourmet of Peking and Szechuan Style □ Open for Dinner 7 Days a Week □ Lunch Hours M-F ll:30-2:30pm ! We Accept All Major Credit Cards 484-6496 1775 West 6th Eugene
