The drive to the TCC was an adventure. I've lived in Tucson since 2001 and I've never seen a storm that produced that much water citywide. I drove from my apartment near Pima and Wilmot all the way across the city to get there and could barely see out of my windshield. Sheets of rain going sideways, hail, unbelievable wind. It was even worse when I reached downtown. The streets were so flooded it was like piloting a boat down a street. I drive a little sportscar and was sure I'd hit something or someone or would just float away. But I made it!
The concert started about ten minutes late due to a brief power outage at the TCC. But, we had a great crowd of hearty souls who braved the insane weather to see an amazing concert.
I've been to hundreds of concerts in my career but I have to say this was one of the biggest lineups of any of the shows I've been to.
The Floaters started it off. I didn't learn until later in the night that Larry Cunningham, who now lives in Tucson, had been in intensive care earlier in the week after having an adverse reaction to medication he was taking and nearly died. He had a blood transfusion while at ICU but bounced back enough to come to the show. He and the Floaters were fantastic.
Barbara Lewis was next. She is a bit feeble these days but put on a great performance and the crowd totally loved her!
The Originals took the stage and were great. It was fun standing backstage and hearing the crowd sing along to their hits.
Jojo of the Mary Jane Girls and her two backup singers/dancers were next. I had a fun moment when they were done when I stopped her on stage to compliment her on her shoes. They were awesome. She hugged me and gave me a kiss! I may never wash my left cheek again.
Rose Royce did a great set and wrapped up with Car Wash. That was one thing no one was worried about at the TCC thanks to the storm outside!
Evelyn "Champagne" King performed before the intermission. I've done several shows with her and she knows how to work the crowd. A little bit sexy and a whole lot of amazing vocalist. Did you know she got discovered back in the 1970's when she was a cleaning lady at a record company in Philadelphia? One of the producers who worked there heard her singing while she was working and that led to her eventual record deal. Amazing story!
After a fifteen minute intermission (we were doing meet and greets with some Mega winners backstage), we kicked off the last part of the show with the Delfonics. They had amazing suits and were great.
GQ was on next. There's one member who carries on the GQ name these days and he is an incredibly talented man. He had a bad ass limousine that has his picture and name on the side that was parked backstage. I took a picture of it I thought it was so cool.
Heatwave wrapped up the night with their hits including "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever". It was fun hearing thousands of people sing along to "Always and Forever". That's one of those timeless songs we all love!
If you were there a big giant THANK YOU! You made the night a total success.
Of course I took photos! Check 'em out.
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| The Floaters |
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| Rosemary from Mega 106.3 |
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| Barbara Lewis |
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| The Originals |
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| Dino from Mega 106.3 |
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| Jojo of the Mary Jane Girls |
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| Mega listener Marcella |
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| Rose Royce |
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| Evelyn "Champagne" King |
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| From the back of the stage |
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| Crowd shot from the stage |
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| Crowd shot from the stage |
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| Crowd shot from the stage |
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| Backstage autograph signings |
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| Backstage autograph signings |
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| Mega 106.3's Dino chatting with Larry Cunningham's wife (of the Floaters) |
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| Rosemary chatting with Larry Cunningham of the Floaters |
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| Dino with one of the members of the Delfonics |
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| Jojo of the Mary Jane Girls had some fabulous shoes. Check 'em out! |
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| GQ |
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| Delfonics |
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| Shot from the stage at intermission |
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| Mega 106.3's Rosemary lookin' fabulous! |
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| Heatwave |
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| Heatwave |
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| GQ's bad ass limo backstage |