The concert at the Moore Theater in Seattle on Friday, April 10, 2009 was a great success. The Wailers joined The Ventures for a Meet and Greet prior to the show, where over 100 fans came to celebrate the 50th Anniversary for both groups. The show opened with a video presentation, with interviews from luminaries of the music business, including members of Aerosmith, Billy Bob Thornton, John Fogerty and others, congratulating the groups on their milestone anniversary. The Wailers took the stage for a one-hour set, followed by a short intermission. Then, The Ventures came out and started off with Bob Spalding on lead for the first few songs, then Nokie took over on lead for the rest of the set – the group powered their way through 25 songs. The Lt. Governor of Washington State, Brad Owen – a good friend of The Ventures for many years – sat in on sax for ‘Surf Rider’, and Alan White (‘Yes’) played percussion on ‘Hawaii Five-0’. The set ended with ‘Caravan’, and an amazing solo from Leon. There was another short intermission (the theater had an 11 p.m. curfew, so time was slipping away), then both groups came on stage for the last few songs, ending with everyone joining together on ‘Louie Louie’! Was it over? No – both groups came out to the lobby to meet the fans and sign autographs! Another great night.
The concert at the Moore Theater in Seattle on Friday, April 10, 2009 was a great success. The Wailers joined The Ventures for a Meet and Greet prior to the show, where over 100 fans came to celebrate the 50th Anniversary for both groups. The show opened with a video presentation, with interviews from luminaries of the music business, including members of Aerosmith, Billy Bob Thornton, John Fogerty and others, congratulating the groups on their milestone anniversary. The Wailers took the stage for a one-hour set, followed by a short intermission. Then, The Ventures came out and started off with Bob Spalding on lead for the first few songs, then Nokie took over on lead for the rest of the set – the group powered their way through 25 songs. The Lt. Governor of Washington State, Brad Owen – a good friend of The Ventures for many years – sat in on sax for ‘Surf Rider’, and Alan White (‘Yes’) played percussion on ‘Hawaii Five-0’. The set ended with ‘Caravan’, and an amazing solo from Leon. There was another short intermission (the theater had an 11 p.m. curfew, so time was slipping away), then both groups came on stage for the last few songs, ending with everyone joining together on ‘Louie Louie’! Was it over? No – both groups came out to the lobby to meet the fans and sign autographs! Another great night.
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