Eric Burdon Review>
A Blast to the Past!
Eric Burdon & "Moi"
A Concert Review From The Past
Venue: Downtown Appleton, WI. WOZZ Concert Stage
Event: Appleton's Octoberfest 1995
Performing : Eric Burdon -- Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
*This Concert review is a lesson in being prepared!*
As the leaves turn colors in Northeast Wisconsin every
autumn, the Appleton, Wisconsin, Chamber of Commerce puts
its best foot forward and sponsors Octoberfest, the "last party"
of the season. 93.5 WOZZ always hosts a free concert event to
celebrate. This particular year it was Eric Burden. As the day's
festivities pressed on, anticipation was running wild in the
streets of Appleton, being WOZZ was the only radio station
present to host a national act. Sure there were local cover bands
pumping out the offerings, but the marquee event of the day was
certainly the former frontman of the famed Animals, one of the
true pioneering bands of the 60s and "Woodstock Era."
Several thousand had assembled, as the afternoon moved to
the 4:30 hour. The stage announcements were to be handled
by the WOZZ morning-drive hosts, but due to an unexpected illness
of one of the jocks, the Promotions Director asked if I would
handle the task. (stupid question!) There is nothing like the
adrenaline rush that accompanies such a task! As I thought of
what I would say up on stage, I thought of the many times I
myself had been in the audience, waiting, almost ready to jump
out of my skin in anticipation. As I took my position out front,
the yelling and screaming, the smiling faces, the cups of beer
held high to the beautiful autumn sky was enough to push me over
the edge. "HEY NORTHEAST WISCONSIN....ARE YOU READY TO MEET A
ROCK 'N' ROLL HALL OF FAME'ER?? WOZZ and BUDWIESER, along with
the Appleton Chamber of Commerce, PROUDLY PRESENT TO
YOU............. ERIC BURDON AND FRIENDS!!!" (the masses go
wild!)
As he moved thru his set, it was obvious to me Eric was a
master of getting the crowd involved in his performance.
During guitar solos and idle moments, and in between lyrics or
songs, he signed many autographs right up onstage, denying no one
the opportunity. Then during the classic Don't Let Me Be
Misunderstood a woman up front hoisted her 5 year-old daughter
(remember this point) up onto the stage. The child mimicked
Eric's every move. As the crowd responded in delight, the child
seem to come alive with the moment and grabbed the mic, singing,
"Don't let me be misunderstood." That little display by that
child put a lump in my throat, as I realized just how important
it is that we share with our children, positive life experiences.
Obviously, the crowd went wild, and Eric signed the little girls
handbill and helped her back to the arms of her mother.
After the set ended, it was once again
front-and-center for me. It was my job to
whip the crowd into a frenzy by throwing WOZZ promotional items
into the crowd. The tactic worked! I now had the opportunity to
announce the encore, and Eric returned to finish the day with
House of the Rising Sun. After the show, I was informed by the
Promotions Director that I had performed my duties in fine style,
and portrayed a positive station image. He also informed me that
he and I would be meeting with Eric for a chit-chat session in
the rear of an electronics store, which he had secured as a
dressing room setting for Eric (remember, we were downtown). I
had my camera along so I knew I would be getting a momento for my
work.
As Eric entered the room, we exchanged greetings,
formalities and the like, and then proceeded to talk
about the show he had just so masterfully executed. (I'm checking
the time...had to be on the air at 7 PM) I think it was Paul
(Promotions Director) who commented about the little girl who was
hoisted up on the stage during the show. Then in a flurry, Eric
proceeded to tell us a story about a concert event he was at in
London, back when he was a youth, just as he was seeking
inspiration, but most of all, just because Rock 'N' Roll music
had attracted his attention and heart. The concert performance he
was referring to was Chuck Berry. He said he and a friend had
pushed their way to the front of the stage to enjoy the show. It
was at that exact moment, I realized that I had just missed a
fabulous opportunity! I DIDN'T HAVE A RECORDING DEVICE WITH ME!!
DAMN!!! It was back in the station van about 3 blocks away! As
Eric continued his story, he related to the episode with the
little girl up on stage. During that same Chuck Berry show, he
said he had witnessed something that reminded him of the little
girl today. It was about the same scenario. A parent in the front
row hoisted his son up on stage, while Chuck was doing his
famous, one-legged hop across the stage. The little kid decided
to do his own imitation of Chuck's patented maneuver, as the
crowd responded wildly to the little boys antics.
So here I sat, no tape running, not even a recorder in the
room, with a Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame'er, telling us
about an event in his life that nobody in the world had probably
ever heard before. That's the way Eric came across anyway. Very
candid and off the cuff. As soon as he finished the story, we
pelted him with questions regarding upcoming performances, the
"Animal Days," the Rock 'N' Roll Hall of Fame, and so on. I had
to be on the air at WOZZ by 7 PM, so I thanked Eric for taking
the time from his busy schedule to chat with us, and for doing a
fabulous show. I sped off to relieve the jock on duty at WOZZ. As
I was en route to the station I had to pinch myself, realizing
the blown opportunity to get an "exclusive". I did in fact talk
about the blunder on the air that evening, but also convinced
myself that I was one lucky person to hear
such a story firsthand, straight from the legend's mouth! I also
consider myself lucky, being able to share this experience with
you!
Review by: SMR
If YOU have any memorable Animals, or solo Eric Burdon concert experiences
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