If you’re looking for a good ol ‘rock’ n roll show, you might want to plan Friday night’s Rock ‘n Roll Is Here to Stay show at Albert Lea’s Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, from from 7 a.m. to 30 p.m.
The show is organized in conjunction with the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association, which is the originator of the Iowa Music Hall of Fame, and features an excellent selection of performers with connections to some of the big names of the day.
Jana Anderson
Friday’s lineup includes Jana Anderson, Denny & The DC Drifters, Terry Klein, Jerry Jones, Phil Christy and Rocking ‘Vance Jorgenson.
Denny & The DC Drifters, from Austin, are the backing band for the evening, and band founder Denny Charnecki is thrilled to be a part of it.
“We picked a lot of people who have done great things for the Iowa Music Hall of Fame,” Charnecki said. “They wanted our group to play for them. “
Many of the artists scheduled for the show have worked with such notable rock artists as Dee Jay and the Runaways, Stevie Nicks and Prince. Denny & The DC Drifters, in addition to having their own careers dating back to the 60s, have toured and performed with bands like Paul Revere and the Raiders and Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits.
Anderson herself has served as a backing vocalist for Stevie Nicks, Prince and Don Henley, among others. Klein, who was inducted into Iowa Hall with Upson Downs, played the same roles as Chubby Checker, The Platters, and Herman’s Hermits.
Jones, winner of the 2017 Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award, has performed with John Senn and The Senn-Menn, drummer Christy was inducted into the Hall this year and Jorgenseon has been a staple of the Iowa music scene for years as well as solo performances in Minnesota and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“What they wanted to accomplish was just put on a fantastic show here and familiarize people with the Iowa Rock ‘n Roll Music Hall of Fame,” Charnecki said. “It’s going to be cool. A small portion would be a good theater show, but with all these people together it’s going to be crazy.
Denny & The DC Drifters started their careers in 1963 and in 1965 they were opening act for Dottie West and by 1966 they were playing full time, up to 20-25 days per month.
“It’s just a passion right now,” Charnecki said.
The cost of admission is $ 25 at the door, but Charnecki believes the show will be worth the price of admission.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing,” Charnecki said. “I think this is something you won’t want to miss if you like rock ‘n roll. Anyone who is not familiar would be doing themselves a favor by attending this show.
