University of North Alabama - Diorama Yearbook (Florence, AL)

Page 27 text:

Spring Concerts 23

Page 26 text:

After a few years out of the mainstream, Kansas brought a powerful new show to Flowers Hall jqO TURNING B ACK fe As long as we can surprise the fans, we know we ' re headed in the right direction. 1 J AN EIGHT NQNUTE DRUM SOLO by drummer Phil Ehart kicks off tlie Kansas encore. The April 4 concert brought thousands of fans to Flowers Hall. (Photo by Wade Myhan) 1f e rock group Kansas brought a little bit of the old, and a little bit of the new to Flowers Hall as they performed to an enthusiastic crowd of over 3,000 people. Sporting a new line-up and touting a new album, Kansas thrilled spectators by perform- ing all of the Kansas classics as well as tunes from their latest album Power. Original members Phil Ehart and guitarist Richard Wil- liams teamed with vocalist Steve Walsh (who had returned to the band after a five year absence), ex-Streets member Billy Greer, and former Dixie Dregs guitarist Steve Morse to record the new album and begin touring. As a result, Kansas brought an intense, energetic show to Florence. Kansas opened the concert with the Kansas standard Point of Know Return, and there was no turning back. It was obvious that the band was ready to rock when vocalist Steve Walsh told the crowd that they could play until about 2 o ' clock, and then they would order pizza for 4,000. The band slowed down a bit when guitarists Williams and Morse took center stage to do the Dixie Dregs instrumental Up in the Air, which was fol- lowed by a crowd sing-along of the group ' s biggest hit, Dust in the Wind. The band kicked off the second set with songs from Power which included Secret Service, Power, and We ' re Not Alone Anymore. The band attempted to end the concert with a nine-minute version of the Kansas classic Carry On Wayward Son, but the crowd would not let the show end that easily. A chant of We want more filled Flowers Hall as Kansas took the stage once again for one more song. According to guitarist Steve Morse, becoming a member c Kansas was something the just kind of happened. I had been talking to Ph [Ehart] and we wanted to g( together and play, Morse sai( but we didn ' t have the chanc until the band was recordin ' Power. ' I was in town, an they asked me to play on it. The main thing is not fo: getting where the fans com from, Morse said. A lot c people are surprised that w can bounce back with thi much energy. He added, As long as w can surprise the fans, we knoi we ' re headed in the rigl direction. The concert was sponsore by the Student Activities Boar (the University Program Coui cil). Director of Student Activ ties Bob Glenn said that th board got lucky, because the were able to get the right grou at the right time. by James L. Rhodes i Rossington leads the way for Kansas ' Keeping in the tradition of trying to use local bands as opening acts for university concerts, the band Rossing- ton took the stage to prepare the crowd for Kansas. Guitarist Gary Rossington, who has played for bands such as Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Rossington Collins Band, is a legend in the minds of southern rock fans. Through- out an energetic show with his latest band Rossington, he proved himself worthy of the title guitar hero. The band was never still as Rossington cranked out a 40- minute set of pure grind which included tunes hke Waiting in the Shadows, Can You Forget About my Love, and Don ' t Misunder- stand Me. The high point of the Ros- sington concert, however, was when the familiar strains of Lynyrd Skynyrd ' s Sweet Home Alabama reverber- ated through Flowers Hall, powered by the guitar licks that helped to make Gary Rossington famous. According to Director of Student Activities Bob Glenn, it was just luck that brought Rossington to campus. We like to use local groups as openers whenever it ' s possible, Glenn said, and Rossington was in Muscle Shoals recording and they were available. According to Glenn, Kansas had been trying to get 3- in touch with Rossington con- cerning touring together and the UNA concert was the point that the two groups were brought together. Prior to the concert, mem- bers of the Rossington band held an autograph party at Pegasus Records and Tapes on East Tennessee Street in Florence to promote their latest album Return to the Scene of the Crime. by lames L. Rhodes 22

Page 28 text:

Homecoming brings alumni back to campus for a long weekend of recreation and reunions JJOME GAIN Adding a spectacular toucfi was Leo II ' s helicopter arrival into Braly 1 1 1 I UNA Salutes the South was a theme which not only saluted the alumni returning home but also saluted and celebrated the tremendous growth of the campus, the Shoals area, and the South itself. The theme served its pur- pose from the opening pep rally to the after-game hospital- ity at the Fogcutter. The fea- tured attraction of the weekend was the return of the homecoming parade after a year ' s absence. A tennis tour- nament was the newest addi- tion to the homecoming activities. Friday, November 6, began the competition with the golf tournament. The tournament was open to alumni, faculty, staff and friends and was held at McFarland Park at 9:30 a.m. NO, IT ' S NOT an invasion from the Fiji Islands — it ' s an invasion of the FIJI pledges. As a rule, the pledges of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity dress in Poly- nesian style for homecoming activities. (Photo by Charles Butler) PRESENTED DURING the pre-gamc show are Sharon Nunn, escorted by Michael Gamble; Homecoming Queen Regina Wilkerson, escorted by Allen Lambert; and Polly Gartman, escorted by Gary Hayes. Rounding out the court were Cindy Davis and Aime Clem. (Photo by Stephen Anderson) GET UP for the Lions! The cheerleaders mean what they say as they get up in the air to raise the crowd ' s spirit. (Photo by Stephen Anderson) 24 with a shotgun start. The newly-added tennis tournament took place on the varsity courts. The tournament used a team tennis concept and men and women were eligible. Continuing the festivities, Saturday began with the wel- comed return of the homecom- ing parade. Even though campus organizations had to finance their own floats, there were approximately 15 floats from campus-oriented clubs. One highhght included the cheerleaders ' jambox. Top honors in Class A float competition were taken by first place Sigma Chi Alpha Gamma Delta and second place Zeta Tau Alpha Sigma Alpha Epsilon. First and second place in the mini-float competition were Alpha Delta Pi and the Christian Stude Center. Best campus decoratioi went to Wesley Foundation ai the Home Economics Depai ment. Homecoming bann winners were Pi Kappa Alpl fraternity and Phi Mu sororit The Homecoming Quec was Regina Wilkerson, a junit from Huntsville. She was spoi sored by Pi Kappa Alpha an is a member of Alpha Gamm Delta sorority. Her court coi sisted of Polly Gartmai Sharon Nunn, Cindy Davis an Anne Clem. The Alumni Brunch, held i the Great Hall after the paradi recognized the Alumni of th Year. Three alumni wer chosen for this honor: Joh Terry Wylie, Mary Louise Bull; and Dorothy A. Mitchell.