Old rock bands rarely die. They simply transform themselves, replace players and go on nostalgia tours, frequently with other old rock bands.
Northern Nevada has had more than its share of such concerts – for example, teaming REO Speedwagon with Styx, with Journey, with War; or the recent blockbuster Journey with Heart and Cheap Trick.
A couple of weekends from now, however, offers a chance to hear two of these legendary bands separately, allowing a more complete immersion into their music. They both are invariably better when standing alone; those other names on the marquee somehow diminish the luster.
In the early 1980s, local casinos, Harrah's in particular, learned that there was gold in the hills of early rock. The fans were approaching middle age, had gained some affluence and were ready not only to spend some discretionary income on concerts but also to drop a little at the tables. About the same time, the bands turned off their disdain of the neon palaces of Nevada, which they had considered the last bastion of the desperate, and embraced them warmly, with added heat coming from the fees that casinos were willing to pay. Idealism didn't have the power it once had.
Those fans are now well into upper-middle age and some are still affluent and willing to drop a little coin. Current economic conditions, however, mandate not scaring them off. The $35 ticket charge for War this Saturday at Harrah's is surprisingly reasonable. War, always more funk than rock, continues its eclectic blend of musical styles and remains one of the happier bands still out there.
Originally called the Creators, the Romeos, Senor Soul, and Nightshift, the band was re-named War when Eric Burdon of the Animals and Lee Oskar took it over in 1969. Burdon soon left but not until the album "Eric Burdon Declares War" established the band. The first hit, "Spill the Wine," was from that album, soon followed by others like "Why Can't We Be Friends," "Low Rider," and "The Cisco Kid."
Best of all, War became known as a popular live act, pioneering the "jam band" phenomenon with bands playing extended sets, often for hours, and improvising variations on their own songs. War remains a great performing group, still loves to improvise, and can still surprise.
At the Silver Legacy on Friday, REO Speedwagon returns to the area. They've become a casino favorite over the last decade, are known to sell out the medium-sized venues the clubs offer. Unlike most other bands of their era, they seem to be going beyond nostalgia. Last year, they released "Find Your Own Way Home," their first studio album in 11 years.
The songs on the new album grew out of its multiple tours with other bands, most notably the 2000 concert with Styx, a band that like REO hailed from the Midwest. That concert was recorded and released cutely as "Arch Allies." Songs were written, tested in front of audiences, and then discarded or included.
REO Speedwagon has always had an affinity for clever titles, like its classic "You Can Tune a Piano, But You Can't Tuna Fish" and the huge "Hi Infidelity."
"Find Your Own Way Home," by comparison, comes off mild, but it raised the intriguing possibility that REO may be doing just that, taking the first step toward a return as a force in the industry.
Around the Silver Circle: Bill Engvall recently filmed the movie "Bait Shop" with Billy Ray Cyrus after starring in "Delta Farce" with Larry the Cable Guy. These have not harmed his career, however, and he returns this Saturday to the Silver Legacy doing what he does best – stand-up comedy. "Here's Your Sign" and "Dorkfish" are pretty much timeless.
The Outhouse Races
This Saturday at noon on C Street in Virginia City, there will be a parade of outhouses, kicking off the annual Outhouse Races, a combination of absurdity and creativity that began when the city decided no more outhouses could be used. The citizens objected, legend has it, and put their privies on wheels and marched on the courthouse. Indoor plumbing wisely prevailed but the outhouses were recycled into racing vehicles. City leaders enter, businesses create racing units and individual entries are welcome. This is a two-day event with finals at noon Sunday.A classic coach
Recently arrived in Virginia City is the Virginia and Truckee Railroad's latest attraction, the Silver City, a 1914 Pullman coach originally built for the Delaware Lackawana and Western, Victorian style, seating 75, and featuring clerestory windows.The Dark Star Orchestra not only pays tribute to the Grateful Dead, does all it can to bring them back to life. Dark Star doesn't dress up like some "tribute" bands do, but it plays concert set lists song by song in identical arrangements of the original concerts.
Think they can dance?
The television income is just the start. The tours keep the money rolling in and this last season of "So You Think You Can Dance" has its performers on stage at the Reno Events Center on Saturday.IF YOU GO
• WAR: Harrah's Tahoe, 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $35; (800) 427-7247 or SouthShoreRoom.com• REO SPEEDWAGON, Silver Legacy, 9 p.m. Friday; $50, $60, $70; Bill Engvall, Silver Legacy, 8 p.m. Saturday; $55, $65, $75; (800) 687-8733 or silverlegacy.com
• VIRGINIA CITY OUTHOUSE RACES: Saturday and next Sunday in Virginia City, southeast of Reno on Highway 41; free; entry rules and regulations at www.VisitVirginiaCityNV.com
• DARK STAR ORCHESTRA: Crystal Bay Casino on Lake Tahoe's North Shore at 9 p.m. Tuesday; $25 in advance, $30 on Tuesday; (775) 833-6333 or www.crystalbaycasino.com
• SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE TOUR: Reno Events Center,7:30 p.m. Saturday; $45, $54.50; Ticketmaster.com
