STAPLES-The legendary Whitesidewalls, hailed as the Upper Midwest's premier doo-wop, rockabilly and rock 'n' roll band, will perform 7 p.m. March 2 at Timbers Event Center in Staples.
Doors open 45 minutes before the show.
Sponsored by the Staples Motley Area Arts Council, the show is underwritten by Ernie's Grocery and Timbers Restaurant & Event Center, both of Staples.
"Be sure to bring your best dancing shoes, or simply sit back and enjoy music from what the Whitesidewalls consider to be the golden era of rock 'n' roll, and doo-wop," a news release stated.
The set list contains hundreds of songs from the 1950s and 1960s including "Get a Job" by the Silhouettes; "Wake up Little Susie," by the Everly Brothers; "Whole Lotta Shakin'" by Jerry Lee Lewis; and "I Only Have Eyes for You" by the Flamingos. Expect to hear songs from the band's newly released CD, "Woman Love," which includes songs such as "Cathy's Clown," "Mona Lisa" and "Travelin' Man."
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The Whitesidewalls Rock 'n' Roll Revue was founded in 1972 in Forest Lake by college classmates Pat Brown and Eric Satterlund. The band grew quickly in popularity and became a fixture of the Twin Cities music scene, appearing at ballrooms, bars, corporate and community events and celebrations throughout the five-state area. Their show was presented for many summers at Valleyfair in Shakopee. They were part of the first Winter Dance Party revival-the annual event commemorating the last shows of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper at the Surf Ballroom-in Clear Lake, Iowa, in 1979, and continue to perform there today.
In addition to being one of the band's founders, Pat "Hound Dog" Brown is their bandleader. Other band member include David "Swanee" Swanson, Brad "Gino Gambucci" Nelson, Bill "Bobby Maestro" Spalding and Erik "Rocky Beaumont" Swenson.
The Whitesidewalls Rock 'n' Roll Revue remains active. In addition to the many shows they play each year, they produce a weekly radio show hosted by Twin Cities disc jockey Michael Patrick "Records" Ryan and have performed their two-act musical play, "Love Potion #10," around the region.
They've been inducted into the Mid-America Music Hall of Fame, the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
According to Brown, the Whitesidewalls "continue to thrive, and feel blessed that they can bring joy to their audiences while doing something they love."
Tickets for the Whitesidewalls concert are available on the arts council's website at www.staplesmotleyarts.org; or may be purchased by cash or check at First International Bank & Trust in Staples, First International Bank & Trust in Motley or Staples World in Staples.
