As I mentioned in my previous post, Bristol, RI, is "really big" on the 4th of July holiday and one of the things the town does and is known for is it's free 4th of July Celebration Concert Series. Most concert performers are well known in Bristol and/or throughout the state. Up until the Saturday prior to the 4th, the concerts included three local tribute bands (Changes In Latitudes/Jimmy Buffet, Spread Eagle/Eagles, and Octopus's Garden/Beatles), a country band (Cottonwood), a soul band (Soul Power), a Las Vegas show-style band (The Hip Pocket Orchestra), a military stage band (The United States Air Force Band), two local ensembles (The East Bay Wind Ensemble, The East Bay Jazz Ensemble), a jazz and groove band (The Mohegan Sun All-Stars), and a cover band (Mixed Emotions), and some others.
On the Saturday night prior to the 4th of July holiday was a concert by one of RI's favorite bands, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. This all-American rock band that started in the 70's, originally known just as The Beaver Brown Band, hailed from Narragansett, RI, and was very popular in various New England Clubs, especially so in three RI clubs, like Mr. T's in Bristol where I used to hang out. They achieved their greatest fame when they performed the music of a fictional band in the movie Eddie and the Cruisers (1983), and this is when John Cafferty's name was officially added to the band's name. The soundtrack from the movie was a best-seller on the Billboard charts and produced the Top 10 hit single, "On the Dark Side" and another big hit, "Tender Years", which still remains a favorite of fans and considered by many to be the band's signature song. The group's follow-up album, Tough All Over, produced the hit "C.I.T.Y.". Another song from that album, "Voice of America's Sons" was the featured theme song on the soundtrack for Cobra, starring Sylvester Stallone. Another Cafferty single, "Hearts On Fire", was featured in Stallone's Rocky IV movie. Their fame faded after this, but they continued to play in clubs and concerts in RI and sporadically in other parts of the country.
Well, I was (and still am) a very big fan of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. After all, I used to go see them and dance to them regularly since they first got started. So, of course, Edie and I went to that night's open-air concert at the park at Bristol Harbor. We walked, of course, and took a few nice pictures along the way.
When we got to the park, we found a substantial sized crowd there. A few of the "little" older people were leaving after the earlier concert by a contemporary dance ensemble, Streamline, but many were staying. By the time the concert began the park was so crowded that people were spilling onto the sidewalks and into the street. I was unable to get a picture of the entire band because of people constantly blocking my view as they were dancing and jumping about, but I did manage to get a quick shot of John Cafferty himself (on guitar) and Michael "Tunes" Antunes (on sax).
The concert was absolutely fantastic. They played their hit songs, of course, a number of other originals (many of which are known by us "local folks"), and some real good cover songs, such as Van Morrison's "Domino". After three encores, the concert finally did come to an end.
Edie and I had to make our walk home, which turned out to be quite pleasant. As we were doing so, we decided to take one last photo. It's a picture of one of the display windows at a local upholstery shop. It just reminded us so much of why the night's concert took place...it was all a part of the celebration of Independence Day.
Please check out John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgloaS4NGyM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWl3Gs6OqpA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqGn363K65E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWJhuHWzrqA&feature=related
5 comments on A Rockin' Good Time
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Oh, is your comment because you liked the post or for Beaver Brown? Either one is fine with me.
John Cafferty used to play all the time in West Greenwich at a really neat barn. I loved seeing them when I was younger. I did not know they were still performing.
AJ
Except for looking a little older (don't we all!), they are as good as ever. I actually felt like it was the "old days", not just hearing them play their tunes, but like they were performing their "stuff" in a show that was "now"...that's how exactly the same it sounded.
I knew they were still around, but only from hearsay. Now I can vouch for it myself.
My thumb's up is for your photos and post, which was really fun to read. Sorry to admit I've never heard of John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band. Thanks for introducing me!