Saturday, June 6, 2009
Spotlight 29 Casino
Coachella, California

Story and photos by Yvonne Scott

To see more Yvonne Scott photos of The Little River Band and Firefall, click here.

Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif., and The Little River Band along with Firefall brought a cool change to the desert night Saturday, June, 6, with fans from hundreds of miles away attending. The concert was a part of the Third annual Summer of Fun Concert Series for June. The night was full of ’70s, ’80s and current rock sounds moving the audience to standing ovations that they will be talking about with friends for years.

The Rock ‘N’ Roll double header opened at 8 p.m. with Firefall starting an amazing journey with sounds sparking our visions down memory lane of the late ’70s opening with “Livin’ Ain’t Livin’.”

After being a Firefall fan for years, I was thrilled watching Bill Hopkins, bass/vocals; Chris Ball, sax/flute/keyboard; Steve Weinmeister, vocals/guitar; Jock Bartley, lead guitar/vocals and drummer Sandy Ficca pounding out old and new favorites such as, “Mexico,” “Just Remember I Love You” and “Cinderella.” I was so taken back at times that I could envision my old Chevy Nova and so many fond memories of their songs playing on eight-track while driving to parties with good friends.

One of their newest songs was played and introduced to the audience as Hopkins asked the crowd to help the earth and people around them with “Walk More Softly” 2008-09 Theme for the Go Green Initiative. The donated song by Firefall launched at the Fourth Annual International Earth Summit in Syracuse, N.Y., October 2008. “Walk More Softly” is an environmental “green” song with a message of “treating each other better” and getting involved in taking care of the planet. This song connected with people’s hearts during the concert. I loved it and will be purchasing it very soon to play on my personal iPod. “Walk More Softly” is the first studio recording by Firefall that features both the 2008 band, together for nearly 20 years, and many of original 1976 band members. This recording, co-produced by Firefall bandleader Bartley and original producer Jim Mason, is sure to become a classic with fans.

The next treat was The Little River Band — Wayne Nelson, bass guitar/vocals; Greg Hind, guitar/vocals; Chris Marion, keyboards and vocals; Mel Watts on drums and lead guitarist Rich Herring hit the stage around 9:30 p.m.

Fans like Amy and Dr. Pete Pinto and friends including Jack Lepird were only a few who took road trips from other states to see this band. I met up with Jack and Dr. Pete when Cindy Pinto told me they all had come together on a road trip from Arizona to meet and hear there favorite band. Pete and Jack where beaming as they held up a signed song list by the band members. The full connection of The Little River band with fans was not fully unveiled till the closing of the night.

Many fans rushed the stage to give standing ovations to bring the band back for another two songs. I was touched to hear Nelson, who began his LRB career in 1980, give a call to the crowd, “God Bless you and we wish to meet each and every one of you and know your names. We will be available after the show to meet you personally”.

Okay, I thought to myself, this will be great. Then after they cleared the showroom I met more fans like Pamela Martin of Palm Desert. Pamela was so happy to be there and hear songs like “Happy Anniversary,” “It’s A Long Way There,” “Cool Change,” “Lonesome Loser,” “Lady,” “The Night Owls” and new songs from 2009.

Pamela stated, “It takes me back to happy times before my accident in 1978,” as she sat so excited and animated in her wheelchair with a smile from ear to ear.

Or fans Cathy and Kirt Mansfield waiting in line to meet the band personally. Kurt said he always had told his wife of two bands she must see live — The Little River Band and Firefall. So they drove the night for hours both ways from Rancho Cucamonga to be here.

Fans who attend the live shows know how LRB love to play around with the arrangements on many of the songs and involve the crowd with songs and tell fun stories thru the night. Nobody was disappointed. These guys are a class act all the way. The smiles they gave and personal experiences of a lifetime to share with family and friends after the show mirror very few artists personal involvement with fans today. My hats off to both bands.

Oh and yes Wayne Nelson, please do contact me and I will be more than happy to e-mail you some of my photos for you’re my space as we discussed.

Thank you to Spotlight 29 Casino along with Firefly, The Little River Band and the learning of the Go Green Initiative.

To see more Yvonne Scott photos of The Little River Band and Firefall, click here.

For more about the Go Green Initiative, click here.

For more about Firefall, click here.

For more about The Little River Band, click here.

For more about Spotlight 29 Casino, click here.