The Lovin’ Spoonful will perform their mega hit “Summer in the City” at the Tioga Downs Hippiefest on Saturday, July 25 starting at 7:30 p.m. Other Spoonful favorites like “Do You Believe in Magic,” and “Daydream,” will be performed by the band that includes two original members and one who joined the band two years after they formed. (Photo credit: Skyline Music Agency)
A line-up of legendary rock and rollers touring the country this summer billed as “Hippiefest,” including Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, the Lovin’ Spoonful, Rick Derringer, and Badfinger featuring Joey Molland, will converge on the Tioga Downs summer concert stage on Saturday, July 25 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Entertaining audiences for five decades, Ohio native Rick Derringer, known best for the rock and roll classic, “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo” released in 1973, one of the most popular rock songs of all-time and featured in several movies, owns an early chapter of rock history.
A member of the band, The McCoys, Derringer, then only 17, made the summer of ’65 memorable with the number one smash, “Hang on Sloopy.” The McCoys followed up with a string of subsequent hits like “Fever,” and “Come on Let’s Go,” among others.
The catchy “Hang on Sloopy” is the official rock song of the state of Ohio. Derringer shared during a phone interview on July 14 that his band will join the Ohio State University marching band later this year to perform the song.
Rick Derringer will perform at the Tioga Downs Hippiefest on Saturday, July 25 starting at 7:30 p.m. Best known for his rock and roll classic, “Rock and Roll Hootchie Koo,” Derringer will also play tunes from his early days with the McCoys. (Photo credit: Albright Entertainment Group)
Derringer’s prestigious career includes producing albums and recording with Edgar and Johnny Winter, appearing on albums with the likes of Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Cyndi Lauper, Alice Cooper and Barbra Streisand, among others, was a tour musician with Cyndi Lauper, toured with the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, and produced Grammy-winning albums for Weird Al Yankovic.
Derringer shared during the phone interview, “A highlight of my career has been touring with Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band.”
A prolific songwriter, Derringer wrote, “Real American,” a 90’s tune which has gained notoriety and a new audience. Used by professional wrestler Hulk Hogan as a theme song, today’s political arena, including the likes of President Obama, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, have used the song for special events.
Derringer explained, “I originally envisioned the song to be serious and patriotic,” and added, “I’m happy it has hit the mainstream now; it’s a compliment to me as a songwriter.”
It is Derringer’s hope that his trio-band, including 25-plus year veteran, Charlie Torres and Kenn Moutenot will have time to play “Real American” for the Tioga Downs audience.
A highlight of 60’s rock history is the chapter entitled The Rascals, which included original member Felix Cavaliere.
The Rascals, often referred to as the best ‘60’s “blue-eyed soul” group, became a household name with their huge number one hit, “Good Lovin’”, and followed up with a string of number ones and classics like, “Groovin’,” “A Beautiful Morning,” and “People Got to Be Free.”
Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will perform at the Tioga Downs Hippiefest on Saturday, July 25 starting at 7:30 p.m. Along with their number one hit, “Good Lovin,” The Rascals classics include “Groovin'” and “A Beautiful Morning,” to name a few. (Photo credit: APA Agency)
Cavaliere, a classically trained pianist and award-winning hall of famer, spent an early part of his 50-year career with Joe Dee and the Starliters. Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals will take the Tioga Downs summer stage performing their greatest hits.
Another chapter of rock history belongs to mid-sixties era greats, the Lovin’ Spoonful, a dynamic band playing a blend of folk, rock and a hint of country. The band today includes original band members, Steve Boone and Joe Butler, and Jerry Yester, who joined the band two years after they formed.
Summer isn’t summer without hearing the Lovin’ Spoonful’s mega hit, “Summer in the City.” Other Spoonful favorites include “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Daydream,” and “You Didn’t have to be So Nice.”
Joey Molland, an original member of the rock band, Badfinger, will bring to the summer stage classic songs including, “No Matter What,” “Baby Blue,” “Come & Get It” and “Day after Day.”
Badfinger, a British rock band, evolved from an earlier group called The Iveys, and were the first artists to be signed to the Beatles then Apple Records. Interestingly, the name Badfinger was suggested by an Apple executive who reportedly heard a remark by John Lennon while he played piano with an injured finger during a session with Paul McCartney, calling it a “Bad Finger Boogie.”
A veteran of several Hippiefests, Molland’s “Baby Blue” has received recognition by a broader audience, used most recently in the TV show “Breaking Bad.”
Badfinger, featuring Joey Molland, will perform at the Tioga Downs Hippiefest on Saturday, July 25 starting at 7:30 p.m. Molland, an original member of Badfinger, will perform such hits as “No Matter What,” “Baby Blue,” and “Come and Get It.” (Photo credit: Albright Entertainment Group)
Badfinger also has a connection to the Southern Tier. Billy Davis, a native of Castle Creek, N.Y., and a talented musician, vocalist and songwriter, played with Badfinger for fifteen years along with Joey Molland. Davis passed away in early 2015, and a tribute concert in his name was held at The Choconut Inn.
For concertgoers thinking twice about attending Hippiefest, Rick Derringer shared, “Real legends singing iconic songs, at the top of their game; it’s better than expected.”
Tickets for Hippiefest start at $25 and are available at the Tioga Downs gift shop and all Ticketmaster locations. For more information about Tioga Downs, visit tiogadowns.com.
