Valparaiso University - Beacon / Record Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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12 MICHAEL STANLEY BAND The life of a band on the road is never an easy one. Yet this is the life that Stanley loves. i'lf it ever stops being fun, wetll stop. The Micael Stanley Band kicked off Homecoming weekend by playing to an enthusiastic crowd at Hilltop Gymnasium Thursday night. The group played for two hours without a break and was called back for two encores. The concert featured some outstanding numbers highligted by great talent and professionalism on the part of the band members. The band opened with ttln The Heartland, a single off their new album nNorth Coast About half of the song the group played were from that aibum. Stanley mixed some earlier material with his latest efforts, giving a fairly representative sampling of his music By the fourth song, ttHeaven and Hell, the crowd was responding well to the band and screaming for more. The music the band played also varied in tempo. Let's Get the Show on the Road, a slower love ballad was extremely well done. The song began with an outstanding organ solo by Bob Pelander, followed by Rick Bell on the saxophone. When Michael Stanley sat on the front of the stage to add the vocals, girls crowded the stage When the band swung into the last song of the set, ttHe Can't Love You, the audience went wild, with everyone standing and waving, clapping and singing. The crowd stayed on its feet through the following two encores which totalled another four songs. The closing song, tiStrike It Up, brought the show to a perfect conclusion. The crowd was treated to solos from bassist Michael Gismondi and sax player Rick Bell, as Michael Stanley milked the crowd for cheers and made them sing along. After such a tremendous finish, the crowd just did not want to let the band off the stage. Of course, each member of the band had a chance to show his talent. Tommy Dobeck played a stunning drum solo during HPainesviiie - a new song Stanley occasionally traded the vocais with keyboard players Kevin Raleigh and Bob Pelander, which added another dimension to the bands sound. One of the most visible band members on the stage was lead guitar player Gary Markasky. He and Stanley were in constant motion on the stage, adding to the energy of the music. Several times Markasky jumped from the upper riser onto the stage, a move which brought cheers everytime. Stanley himself attracted a lot of attention with sensuous hip movements reminiscent of Elvis. The sound and lighting, done by Jam Sound and Specialite, a professional outfit, added to the excellence of the show. All in all, it was a tremendously enjoyable event, and a sensational beginning to Homecoming '81. There were only two minor flaws. There was a slight problem with the sound pick-up on Michael Stanley's guitar at one point in the concert. The band might have performed He sent Love You, perhaps its best known song, earlier in the set, as it was the number which sparked the biggest response from the audience- thus the crowd might have been more fired up for some of the group's lesser known music. As a side note, it was also unfortunate that no more than 1,000 or so people made it to the concert, because those that did certainly enjoyed themselves. However, these tttlaws were so minor so as not to detract from the show, which was a fantastic time. mi

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HOMECOMING: FULL OF EXCITEMENT Our kids didnit give up and neither did the fans. I'm proud of them. le proud to be part of a university With people iike that. Coach Koch This years homecoming was so packed with fun and exciting things to do, it left your head spinning and ears ringing till Tuesday morning. Michael Stanley kicked off the festivities Thursday night with an excellent concert. An appropriate beginning to a weekend reminicent of iiAlI those years ago. On Friday afternoon the games began. Contestants participated in tug-of-war, a pancake eatting contest, ultimate frisbee, and earth- ball. The games were culminated with the famous slimein. Friday evening at 8 pm. the VU bands put on an outdoor concert just before the bonfire. Kirby Lohrentz was crowned Queen, as Chris Clausen took Homecoming King honors. A peprally followed at 10:30 pm. Saturday morning the Homecoming Parade wound itis way through Valpo with throngs of alumnus clogging the sidewalks. The highest point of the weekend was reached as the Crusaders scored their first touchdown in a loosing effort against Ashland, 6-26. One thing is certain though, truly a good time was had by all! m