Back to the Future
Will the first weekend of Jazz Fest hold interest for rock lovers? Let's find out.
Greetings, rock 'n' roll fans and festival lovers. It is time once again for the crown jewel of New Orleans get-togethers—the 54th New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival presented by Shell.
Music devotees from all around the world will arrive in the Crescent City in April and into May to witness history. Whatever type of music gets you going, it is guaranteed to be blasting from one of 14 stages—at any given time—throughout these consecutive weekends. However, if you've one of the multitude of classic rock listeners, this is a PSA especially for you.
John Fogerty
John Fogerty [Thursday, April 24 | Festival Stage, 5:30 p.m.] is a name that demands respect in the annals of rock music. It's no wonder, since this living legend has been performing for 66 years. In 1964, John and his brother Tom, along with Stu Cook and Doug Clifford, began releasing records as the Golliwogs. Does that name not sound familiar? Perhaps not, since they really didn't find success until four years later when they changed their name to Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Their first hit single was a cover of Dale Hawkins' country-tinged "Susie Q," a high-octane rocker that cannot be fully appreciated until you check out the nearly nine-minute album version. Many hits followed, all of which featured John Fogerty's unmistakable voice and guitar playing front and center. Anyone worth their salt in classic rock fandom has spent countless hours jamming out to "Proud Mary," "Fortunate Son," and their Louisiana fans' favorite anthem "Born on the Bayou."
Even though CCR split up in 1972, John Fogerty has been recording and performing solo ever since, selling over 100 million records between both eras, racking up eight Grammy nominations and winning Best Rock Album for 1997's Blue Moon Swamp. Be sure to come out and see "The Old Man Down the Road" while he teaches NOLA how to rock.
Cheap Trick
You must get prepared to "Surrender" to the music when Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Cheap Trick [Friday, April 25 | Shell Gentilly Stage, 5:45 p.m.] hit the stage, having just recently celebrated half a century in rock music. Lead singer Robin Zander and lead guitarist Rick Nielsen—you know, the guy with the Bowery Boys baseball cap—have been leading the charge throughout the band's entire output. Maybe you prefer their '70s hits, such as the iconic "I Want You to Want Me" and "Dream Police," or perhaps you dig their power ballads of the '80s including the #1 hit "The Flame"? Regardless of which era of their fandom you happen to relate to, you can prove yourself to be a fan of the band by coming to see them at the festival of festivals. If you're lucky, you may even see Nielsen go to town on his historic, five-neck Hamer guitar—eat your heart out, Jimmy Page.
Dave Matthews Band
While the next band hasn't been around as long as the other guys, first weekend headliner Dave Matthews Band [Sunday, April 27 | Festival Stage, 5:30 p.m.] have earned their place at the pinnacle of the festival. You see, Dave Matthews is a Grammy winner with his namesake band with "So Much to Say" and without "Gravedigger." But who are we kidding? We'll be lining up to hear '90s classics including "What Would You Say," "Crash into Me," and "Ants Marching." After all, our recurring theme is musical nostalgia and "what would you hear" on classic rock radio.
For those of us who fondly remember that magical decade before the turn of the century, 1994's Under the Table and Dreaming took the nation by storm, oversaturating the airways all the way to a six-time platinum status—much more deservedly so than Hootie and the Blowfish's Cracked Rear View. If you think that was something, Dave Matthews Band outdid themselves with Crash in 1996, which has become their best-selling album to date. In fact, the Dave Matthews Band is the very first rock band to debut at #1 for seven consecutive album releases on Billboard. And, of course, they're in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, too.
A word to the wise: Experiencing Dave Matthews Band in concert is a completely different animal than listening to their records. If you decide to make it out to the Fair Grounds to see this amazing band in person, you'll certainly be in for a treat as Matthews and the rest of the guys are renowned for the uniqueness of their live performances.
Jazz Fest Rock Artists
Before the first weekend comes to a close, if you find yourself with extra time, perhaps pay tribute to some of those all-important trailblazers of rock 'n' roll. Yes, rock aficionados have to remember their roots, so make it a point to also check out The Dixie Cups ("Chapel of Love," "Iko Iko"), NOLA's queen Irma Thomas (who will certainly forecast "It's Raining"), and the inimitable Gladys Knight—sans the Pips—who "Heard it Through the Grapevine" even before Marvin Gaye did. That's all until the next Jazz Fest weekend, and the second weekend's rock acts hit the absolute jackpot. See y'all at the Fair Grounds.
