LeAnn Rimes, Journey, Hootie and Ted Nugent were top acts at this years
12th Annual American Music Festival
A huge crowd was on hand for all four days of concerts at this years American Music Festival in Virginia Beach.
John M. Lesko Virginia Beach Review
By John M. Lesko, Virginia Beach Review
September 06,2005
Virginia Beach, VA - Forty hot years of music, Forty cool bands, Four days, was the theme used to summarize this years list of performers. Recognized as the largest oceanfront musical event on the east coast, the festival offers a wide range of musical performances in rock, soul, country, blues, Latin and dance that take place over 4 days and 10 stages.
Headline acts that performed at the fifth street main stage included Hootie & the Blowfish and the Atlantic Fleet Show Band, LeAnn Rimes, Keith Anderson, Journey, Vertical Horizon, Ted Nugent and Dynamohum.
On-stage with Hootie & The Blowfish
John M. Lesko Virginia Beach Review
John M. Lesko Virginia Beach Review
Darius Rucker, of Hootie & The Blowfish performs on the first night of the American Music Festival.
John M. Lesko photo
Hootie and the Blowfish just released their fifth studio album titled LOOKING FOR LUCKY August 9th, through Vanguard Records and the band's independent label, Sneaky Long Records. took to the stage on Friday night to kick off this years festival.This multi-platinum quartet featuring Mark Bryan, Dean Felber, Darius Rucker, and Jim Sonefeld and their mainstream pop variation of blues-rock opened the event with a bang performing several of their classics along with a few from their new album.
Saturday night was highlighted with a powerful performance by the beautiful LeAnn Rimes. With the first 10 years of her career, LeAnn Rimes has established an impressive track record and in the process sold over 27 million albums. Rimes took to the stage just after sunset entertaining the crowd with her rich, powerful vocals and exceptional on stage presence. LeAnn Rimes is known as a country performer, but as she has grown over the years you cant mistake the sounds of rock, blues and dance music compiled into her songs.
Rimes was a true compliment to this years American Music Festival. Rimes, born in Jackson, MS, but raised in Garland, TX, Took a short break half way through her performance to do a live interview from the stage on CNN's Larry King Live when she talked about hurricane Katrina and all of it's victims.
LeAnn Rimes captivated the audience Saturday night following her opening act Keith Anderson.
Sunday night, the fifth street stage hosted a performance thirty years in the making, Classic rock group Journey took to the stage. Many of us grew up listening to Journey. Journey’s music has been such an intricate part of our being that we can recall pivotal moments in our lives just by hearing the first couple of notes to one of their many amazing songs. Their music accompanied us on a first date, at a school dance, or on our wedding day. There are songs that reach into the depths of our souls and ask us who we are, what we hope to become, and then, help us to supply the answers. Many of them are a testament to our lives, as they serve as the soundtrack of our lives.
Rock legends Journey played several of their familiar rock classics Sunday night at the fifth street stage
John M. Lesko Virginia Beach Review
Guitar legend Neal Schon of Journey
The performance was truly An Evening with Journey. The crowd was treated to their favorite songs both old and new such as “Wheel In The Sky” and “Precious Time”. The band has been through several changes over the years, but current members Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, Steve Augeri and Deen Castrovono are keeping the legend alive song after song. Guitarist, Neal Schon a Guitar prodigy has been with the band from the beginning. He picked up his first instrument at the age of 5 and by the age of 15 he had joined Santana and was traveling the world. Neal is the only original member that has been on every Journey album. Journey's performance will be remembered as one of American Music Festivals all time top acts.
John M. Lesko photo
John M. Lesko Virginia Beach Review
John M. Lesko Virginia Beach Review
Monday was the last day of the 12th Annual American Music Festival and can you think of a better way to spend your Labor day then with the Motor City Mad Man himself. Ted Nugent attacked the stage with an American flag in one hand while belting out blistering guitar solos with the other demonstrating the fire-breathing intensity of this guitar genius. Nugent, a true guitar god invited every one into his church of Ted to worship the almighty Gibson Byrdland and he did not disappoint a soul. I didn't notice any members from PETA in attendance, but I think Nugent was eyeing up some seagulls for dinner.
Nugent's career spans four decades of multi platinum hits like Stranglehold and Cat Scratch Fever.
The Motor City Mad Man, Ted Nugent took to the stage on Monday, (Labor Day) and rocked Virginia Beach with classics like "Cat Scratch Fever" and "Wango Tango"
Ted Nugent performing at the 12th Annual American Music Festival, Labor Day 2005
the 2005 American Music Festival was host to several other bands all along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront including Quite Riot, Little Feat, TOTO, Morris Day & The TIME, The Knack, The FIXX, Lemondish and many more.
Don't forget to mark your calendar for next years Labor Day weekend. This years American Music Festival will go down in history as one of the best events to date and I cant wait to see what they have in store for 2006
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