University of Alabama - Corolla Yearbook (Tuscaloosa, AL)

Page 33 text:

Stand Back brings the crowd of 10.000 to its feet as Nicks performs one of 1983 ' s biggest hits. The large audience made the concert the most successful show in years for Union Pro- grams, a High Tide spokesman said. Stevie Nicks found a home away from home as ovations beckoned her back on stage for a performance of Rhiana. a song first made famous when Nicks was a member of Fleetwood Mac. Richard Washburn Student Life: Stevie Nicks 27

Page 32 text:

Superstar success story Rock goddess revitalizes Tuscaloosa concert market It was the most success- ful show High Tide had done in years, according to Robert Hoelscher, Union Programs director. When Stevie Nicks and Joe Walsh came to Memori- al Coliseum October 29th, it was proof that High Tide could bring In real talent after a rocky year in 1982. Around 10,000 fans filled the coliseum to hear Stevie sing. Walsh opened for Nicks, and by all accounts, he put on an energetic show. He was a good opening act, High Tide Chairman Bud Finley said. The show was good. But the crowd came to see Nicks, and she didn ' t dis- appoint them. Stevie had the crowd mesmerized, Fin- ley said. As far as her per- formance was concerned, I think it was the best show we had all year. It took six limousines to bring Nicks from her Bir- mingham hotel to Tusca- loosa for the concert, ac- cording to Finley. The Satur- day she performed was a home football game week- end, and hotel rooms in T- town were non-existant. She brought her dog, too, Finley said. It stayed back- stage during the show, though. The dog was definitely comfortable in Nicks ' dress- ing room. According to the terms of her contract, High Tide provided Broyhill furni- ture, a piano and balloons to make it just like home. Home must have been some- where in the tropics, be- cause two four-foot palms, two two-foot palms and two small ferns were also speci- fied in the contract. Nicks ' crew ate and drank well, also. She asked for Remy Martin cognac, arti- choke hearts (which were out of season), Stolichnoiya vodka, St. Emilion wine and avocadoes, not to mention fruit salad, Dannon yogurt, Gatorade, cold pasta salad. and tossed salad for 40. And that ' s just part of the list. The concert had the high- est attendance since Charlie Daniels came to the campus in 1980, and gross receipts totaled over $110,000. The promoters were impressed, Finley said. They ' ve been talking about shows here ever since. The main thing, Finley added, was to prove that we do have a viable rock and roll market here. And we proved that Nicks was a real success story. It was a success. I ' ve al- ways wanted to see Stevie Nicks in person, Joe Scot- land, an art major, said. D — by Susan Cullen Richard Washburn 26 Student Life: Stevie Nicks

Page 34 text:

Nothing but hot air No instruments, but great sounds There were no electric guitars or drum sets. Mo one said or sang any words, either. A sound system, lights and a stage were enough for nine bands on April 12 during the Air Guitar Contest sponsored by the Union Programs Films Division. The Air Guitar Contest provides a musical outlet for students who appreciate rock and roll, Tom Rima, director of Union Films, said. It gives the student body a chance to fake it to the top. ' The bands faked it us ing reinforced cardboard and aluminum foil for guitars, trash cans for drums and ashtray lids for tambourines. The bands could not use real instruments in the contest. It ' s like being in a real concert, but you don ' t have to know how to play, Ace Johnson, a radio communi- cations senior, said. Johnson played guitar for The Beast, the group that won the award for best dra- matic interpretation. ' Two of our guitarists have played guitars before, Craig Ploch, the lead singer of The Beast said. They looked like they were really playing. Most of the bands didn ' t practice very much to keep as much spontaneity in the act as possible. We practiced about three hours before the show to get a routine, Plock said. We had a routine to avoid getting in the way of each other. The least amount of preparation made it more fun. Most bands also came to- gether without much prepara- tion. We just messed around in the room before we came, said Mark Myers, a freshman in aerospace engineering and key- board player for Mark and his Nuts, said. Our band got to- gether in about five minutes, too. One guy said, ' Well, if you ' ll do it, then I ' ll do it, ' Myers said. Then another guy said the same thing and we got about five members quick. Mr. Polyester and his Gang came together a little different- ly When we heard the line ' And the man in the back said everyone attack and It turned into a barroom blitz, ' we had a great outpouring of love and de votion and knew we had a hit, Greg Stroud, a senior in broad- casting, said. But the most authentic look- ing band had to be Street Cul- ture. Kelly Grider, a junior from Huntsville, appeared as Boy George and his band sang Miss Me Blind by Culture Club. Grider designed all the costumes for the band as exact duplicates of those worn by Culture Club. The resemblance was un- real, said Lisa Winter. They could have passed for the real thing. Their whole show seemed very convincing. I I — Tara Askew With wood for a guitar and an audience from Boston. Robert Willianns. alias Robert Cee, dances and mouttis ttie live concert version of Let it Rock by Bob Seger. Richard Washburn Ri( hard Washburn 28 Student Life: Air Guitar Contest