Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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With names like John Cougar and Pat Benatar, T wo Concerts packed As always , it ' s a maybe , maybe not type of business. — David Brown , Director of Student Activities With hard hitting opening bands and solid main acts, the Memorial Union Activities Board Concert Committee reeled in two successes for a big catch in concert entertainment. Following a summer of hot pop singles, John Cougar was chosen for the Homecoming concert on Oct. 16. “As always, it’s a maybe, maybe not type of business,” David Brown, director of student ac- tivities, said. We had tried to ar- range other acts, but nothing worked out. Our agent suggested we hire an act with a solo fee,” Brown said. “It was either doing that or no concert, so we gave the go ahead, Brown said. The deci- sion was made by the concert com- mittee to attempt to get John Cougar, who, at the time was tour- ing with the band. Heart. The committee’s choice proved to be the correct one with the first sell out Homecoming concert ever. “It was the most successful show we’ve had numbers wise,” Brown said. I attribute that to Homecom- ing,” he added. Not taking time to catch their breath between concerts, the con- cert committee announced its con- cert with Pat Benatar. for Nov. 13 during the Cougar concert. Brown felt the concert reputation built through the committee, assisted Hays in booking the Benatar concert, which was one of the two college concerts given by her band on the tour. “The agency that arranged the Pat Benatar show, also deals with the J. Geils Band, which played here in the spring of 1982,” Brown said. “The agency wanted to arrange a show here because the previous ex- perience the agency had with us during the J. Geils Band concert was so positive,” Brown said. The performing style of Pat Benatar and John Cougar varied although their basic music styles were the same. Pat Benatar was a trained opera singer,” Brown said. “She’s a singer, so she came out and sang. She wanted to show her “On the Loose, in the United State . Micheal Sadler of the Canadian band. Saga, open for Pat Benatar. 26 CONCERTS Campus Life the House true musicianship. I think she felt the audience came to hear her sing not talk. John Cougar was just the opposite,” Brown said. The Johnny VanZant Band, which opened for John Cougar, was a veteran to the concert stage, while Saga, which warmed up for Pat Benatar is a newer act. Brown felt the opening acts were generally a success, although the choice was not left up to the concert commit- tee. “Many times we don’t have a choice. The agency decides, Brown said. Brown felt the au- dience reaction to opening acts was about the same. He said, “Con- sistently, some think an act was wonderful, and some think it was rotten.” Brown felt that Music Television was going to make a dif- ference in opening acts. “MTV is going to give the acts more ex- posure,” he said. “This will make the bands better known.” While belting out Fire and Ice. Pat Benatar give the near ell-out crowd a •olid performance. Balancing on hi guitarist ' shoulder , John Cougar gave the packed house the number one single, “Hurt so Good.