One Fabulous Night of Rock ‘n’ Roll for the Fans and Puerto Peñasco Charities!

Peñasco Palooza 2011 Was a Success!

When Steve McCarty, the great singer, songwriter and guitarist showed up with seven other famous musicians to headline the Peñasco Palooza 2011 on Saturday night October 15th, we anticipated a great night of Rock ‘n’ Roll, but nothing like the fantastic show they put on for us!

We should have expected the phenomenal performance these legendary musicians delivered, just because of the world class talent represented by the famous Curly Smith on drums and vocals, formerly with the groups Boston and Jo Jo Gunne; Steve McCarty, vocals and guitar who wrote so many platinum hits, formerly with The Steve Miller Band; Jimmy Crespo, revered by his peers as one of the greatest guitar players in the world, of Aerosmith and Rod Stewart fame; the one and only Gary Moon rocked the crowd on bass and vocals, formerly with Night Ranger and Three Dog Night; David Lewark, vocals and absolutely ripping guitarist of Eddie Money fame; Terry Anderson, vocals and sax, formerly with Tower of Power; Paul McDermand formerly with Moody Blues and Natalie Cole, on steel drums, marimba, and every other instrument that has a beat to it; and the great keyboardist, Leon Bisquera of Anita Baker and Chaka Khan fame.

Popular local band, Riband got the outdoor concert area across from Chango’s rockin’ from sunset to about 7:30 P.M. when the presentation of checks from proceeds of the concert were presented to five different local charities by the concert organizers, Home of the Brave Concerts. On hand to receive the first presentation to D.I.F. on behalf of the Mayor was Fausto Soto.

The other grateful organizations that benefitted from the concert proceeds included Youth Sports Foundation of Puerto Peñasco, Red Cross, Two Fish Ministries and CEDO’s Viva Vaquita crusade to save the nearly extinct Vaquita Marina porpoise of which there are only an estimated 180 remaining in the world. They live only in the northern Sea of Cortez around the Puerto Peñasco area.

Other generous sponsors of Peñasco Palooza 2011 included Tequila Peñasco, Tecate, Zilch’s Sugar Free Mixers, Monster, Chango’s Bar and Grill and Rocky Point Reservations, Mexico. The band and crew stayed at the Sonoran Sea Condominium Resort which also hosted the all day pool party on Saturday with DJ music and drink specials at the swim-up pool bar. The entrances to the Sonoran Sea and the Sonoran Spa are a short walk from the concert area.

Steve McCarty and the Hitmen All-Stars were all set up by the end of the charity presentations and the crowd was still rockin’ warm from the hot licks provided by Riband to open the evening.

Steve and Curly provided the introductions of the band members and the songs throughout the evening.

What was so amazing about the band and the music and the feeling with which they performed, non-stop for over three hours was realizing that they had only rehearsed as a group for about four hours on Friday and then for a couple of hours during the sound check on Saturday. Everyone at the concert would probably agree that these guys gelled like they had been playing together for years. What a testament to the caliber of musicians performing on that stage!

It was also obvious that they were having as much fun as the crowd of nearly a thousand rock and roll fans jumping, dancing and clapping to the intense rhythms generated by these legendary veterans who, to a man, gave it their all, and left it all on the stage for the crowd. With every note, every beat, every word they poured a lifetime of memories into the hearts and souls of those mesmerized fans.

After a rowdy encore chant by the entire audience, the band came back for their last song of the evening, immediately after which Chango’s great house band Grupo RoJo took the stage to keep the rock and roll going until around midnight. Meanwhile, the VIP ticket holders met the band members over at Chango’s for more drinks, photos and the party continued until the wee hours.

Everyone, including the band, is looking forward to their next concert in Rocky Point.

What a night! What a concert! Viva Rock and Roll!