By JENNIFER K. BAUER jkbauer@inland360.com
If you lived through the ’80s, and you’re alive to tell about it, you know you’re not the same person you once were and neither are the bands you listened to if they are still alive and kicking.
The Rock the Valley all-ages music festival Saturday at the Lewiston Roundup Grounds features four 1980s headliners: Quiet Riot, L.A. Guns’ Tracii Guns, Jack Russell’s version of Great White and Enuff Z’Nuff. Local bands Homewreckr, Vial 8 and Sin Circus will open the show at 1:30 p.m. Here’s Inland 360’s quick guide to how these bands have changed since their heydays.
Quiet Riot
In 1983, Quiet Riot made music history by becoming the first band with a heavy metal album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Charts. The hit song from “Metal Health,” “Cum on Feel the Noize,” was the first metal tune to breach the top five on the charts. The band was formed by Kevin DuBrow in Los Angeles in 1980. DuBrow died in 2007 of an accidental drug overdose. Today the band is led by founding member Frankie Banali, bassist Chuck Wright, guitarist Alex Grossi and vocalist Jizzy Pearl.
Jack Russell’s Great White
In the 1980s Great White hit platinum status with the success of “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” The band made controversial headlines in 2003 when a pyrotechnics fire at a show in Rhode Island killed 100 people and injured some 230. In the aftermath the band broke up. Great White co-founder Mark Kendall secured the copyrights to the band’s name while Russell tours under the moniker Jack Russell’s Great White.
L.A. Guns’ Tracii Guns
Featuring guitar player Tracii Guns, L.A. Guns’ first incarnation in 1983 included singer Axl Rose who left to form a new group, Hollywood Rose. In 1985 Guns and Rose merged the bands into Guns N’ Roses but Guns and band mates Ole Beich and Rob Gardner soon left the group. L.A. Guns released the album “Cocked and Loaded” in 1989 with the hits “Rip and Tear,” “Never Enough” and “The Ballad of Jayne.” In 2015 Guns returned to the stage to play a career retrospective of hits from his career with L.A. Guns, Brides of Destruction, Contraband and other groups.
Enuff Z’Nuff
Founded by singer Donnie Vie and bassist Chip Z’Nuff this Chicago-born power pop band is best known for their singles “Fly High Michelle” and “New Thing.” Vie went on to pursue a solo career and today’s lineup features Z’Nuff, Johnny Monaco and Erik Donner. The band released its 19th album this year, “Covered in Gold.”
IF YOU GO
What: Rock the Valley Music Festival
When: Saturday, June 13, gates open at 1 p.m.; music at 1:30
Where: Lewiston Roundup Grounds, 2100 Tammany Creek Road
Cost: $30, tickets at Red Lion Hotel, Guys Outdoor Equipment, Kendall Chevrolet, the Lewiston Roundup Box Office and www.flavorus.com Of Note: The all-ages event will include a beer garden for those 21 and older. Food, drink and merchandise will be for sale. No lawn chairs, coolers or outside food or drink will be allowed.
