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Posted on 10/31/2016 10:03:46 AM PDT by EveningStar
Gwen Stefani took the Irvine Meadows stage Sunday night as the concert venue's final performer, 26 years after her band, No Doubt, first played there as an opening act for reggae artist Ziggy Marley.
"Can you imagine? Tonight is one of the most special nights for all of us," she said. "We, together, will be closing down Irvine Meadows. This is it, right here ... I'm so honored to be from Orange County, and I'm so honored to be with you here tonight to celebrate music. Let's have some fun tonight. Do you want to?"
And with that, Orange County's first large-scale concert venue began its swan song. The 16,000-capacity amphitheater, which opened in 1981, will be razed soon to make way for the second phase of the Irvine Co.'s Los Olivos apartment community. The amphitheater, which opened in 1981, sits on land leased by the Irvine Co., with the last of those leases expiring this year.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
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Gwen Stefani, yes please.
Walking in the Spderwebs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZktNItwexo
I met her back before No Doubt blew up. Her, the Aquabats, Save Ferris, man OC was awesome back then.
I used to look at her videos and think “this girl would be very attractive if she’d quit dying her hair pink, green and purple.”
I was right.
I saw remnants of the Grateful Dead there in July..
Underneath It All
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvuVFHTvdaY
Since beginning to play the bass at age 44 in 1998, I’ve played in everything from classic rock, female fronted pop. big band, country, southern gospel and bluegrass. The whole live music thing is tanking as the record store did.
People that have been doing this since the 60’s or 70’s comment on how, “in the old days”, all you had to do was hang up a “live music” sign and watch the people pack the place. But those days are over, for a LOT of reasons.
It is said that Woodstock killed the hippie movement. Well, I think Guitar Center killed the music business. What I mean by that is that both made something that was “special”, mainstream. I’ve said, since I started playing, that being in a “bar band” today is like being on a softball team in the decades previous.
In other words, recorded music (especially) and live music, as well as those involved in the creation of music and recordings, are no longer respected as they were when music was “unique and special”.
And then there is the simple fact that people can enjoy amazing entertainment without ever leaving their home:
Surround sound 3D theater
realistic video games
FaceBook
Etc.
And then there is the cost and hassle of of “going out” to see a concert, a band, a movie theater, etc. Add to that the agressive enforcement of DUI laws. Where I live, even if you get a designated driver, a cop may pull you over and request a drunk passenger to exit the vehicle. Once that person’s foot touches the ground they are arrested for public drunkenness.
So yeah. This sort of venue is disappearing, as are the great music clubs that need more customers than their location can support. And playing at the Troubadour is no longer your ticket to the standard “rich and famous” recording contract.
I don’t shed a tear, though. It is the way of things. Who goes out to see a vaudeville show any more?
Saw an oldies concert there with Lou Christie and the Beach Boys many, many moons ago. Was a great venue.
You mean apps like "Garage Band".
Nowadays the biggest concerts are to watch some guy on stage press a button.
Remember the Palladium, Fillmore (SF) and Fillmore East, CBGB, and many more.
Is anybody doing anything today like the Pink Floyd and Genesis concerts that is not an actual tribute to those very bands (e.g. Brit Floyd)?
Same here. No Doubt was opening for reggae artist Pato Banton touring college bars. Saw the band at Fort Ram, Fort Collins, CO.
I remember signing up on their mailing list and receiving fliers in the mail hawking merchandise. Wish I'd saved some of it. It wasn't much later when Tragic Kingdom exploded, bringing them the success they had been working their tails off for.
No Doubt was responsible for a lot of kids discovering the great ska acts of the early 80s, like The Specials and Madness.
This or the dinosaur rockers who have been touring for 40-50 years.
You mean apps like “Garage Band”.
I STILL use Sonar version 1.03, which I acquired in 1998. I’ve made recordings in a “bedroom studio” that rival professional recordings. And I’ve been exposed to a LOT of home recordings that are far superior to what most recording studios could produce in the “rock/pop” heyday.
It’s why I am very clear with whomever I perform with that playing well is not enough. You have to put on a SHOW. It has to be something people want to come out to see and experience.
BTW, I’ve not seen a live “major artist” concert since I saw Genesis at the Paramount in Seattle around 1980. The prices are stupid. However, I own a LOT of DVD’s and Blue Rays of concerts. The sound is better, my seat moves all around both in front of behind and above the stage, and it is just way too convenient.
I take that back, BTW. When my wife and I moved to Kentucky, we saw Reba and George together at the large coliseum in downtown Nashville. The sound was horrible and it felt like the performers were phoning it in.
As we walked away, we decided right there that we would never, ever watch an act in a club that handled more than a few thousand people. We hear the Ryman is awesome, but have not seen anything there yet.
I don’t remember ever seeing her play an instrument.
I love love love Gwen Stefani.
Roger that. I play at least 3 jam nights a week where I am and it’s gettin’ pretty sad. There was one particular Blues Jam that a lot of the local musicians would go to, but as far as patrons, not enough to pay the host band, so eventually, no more jam night. The bar started up a kerry-choke-me night and brought a lot more money in. Strictly business, I know.
P.S. I’ll be 70 next June.
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