Sunday, April 28, 2013

Ventura County Blues Festival

JR rocked the house today at the 8th Annual Ventura County Blues Festival (formerly
the Simi Valley Blues Festival). MC was Mickey Jones, actor and former drummer with JR in 1966 until he left to tour with Bob Dylan). This was my 41st JR show since 1982 and I have to say he sounds as good and energetic as ever. The big surprise today was JR inviting George Thorogood on stage to jam on Seventh Son, Mountain of Love, Let It Rock and Memphis. Also Owen Waters and Gerald Davis sang backup vocals with long time sidemen, Skip Edwards on keyboard, Darrel Cook on bass,
Doug Hamblin on guitar and Keith Edwards on drums. The set list was:
Secret Agent Theme
Midnight Special
Rollin' Stone
Down At the HOB
Barefootin'
Rooster Blues
Seventh Son (with GT)
Tracks of My Tears
Mountain of Love (with GT)
Summer Rain
New Home
House of the Rising Sun
American Dream
Let It Rock (with GT)
Poor Side of Town
Rockin' Pneumonia
Baby, I Need Your Lovin'
Memphis (GT on tambourine)
Maybelline
Secret Agent Man

GT played guitar on Seventh Son and Mountain of Love, but took over the singing on
Let It Rock. He picked up the microphone and went side to side on the stage while
JR stood back and played guitar. After a big applause GT left the stage and JR said jokingly "that is what you call stealing the show". The crowd was very enthusiastic and once again JR impressed everyone with his showmanship and gave them a show they will be talking about for a long time. Mickey Jones later commented that was the best festival performance ever and that he would have a hard time finding someone to top that performance next year. He also said JR's voice hasn't changed and it is just as good as when he was cutting his hits.

I have several good photos of JR and GT together on stage and will try to post them in the next few days.
 
 
 

 
By Johnny Rivers Fan Club

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