Page 69 - Sonoma County Gazette October 2018

MUSIC cont’d from page 68
Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally Band October 18 @Cloverdale Arts Alliance
Oct 20, 21 ~ 2nd Annual Cornerstone Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Patch - Fall festivities with live music by the Bloodstones. FREE, 10a-4p, Cornerstone Sunset Gardens & Marketplace, 23570 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, cornerstonesonoma.com
Oct 27 ~ Quantum Cabaret - Halloween at House of Rock. Live music and variety acts by local artists. $20-$30 at door, 8p House of Rock, 3410 Industrial Drive, Santa Rosa, 707-494-6855, northbaycabaret.com
Thru Oct 28 ~ Live Music on the Lawn at Viansa - 11-2p, Viansa Sonoma, 25200 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, 800-995-4740, viansa.com/winery-events
Thru Nov 2 ~ Hot Bands at Rio Nido Roadhouse, 6-10p, 14540 Canyon Two Rd., Rio Nido, 707-869-0821, rionidoroadhouse.com
Nov 3, 4, 5 ~ Dancing Across Time - Guitarist, Sharon Isbin joins Santa Rosa Symphony - $24-$87, Weill Hall, Green Music Center, 1801 E Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park, srsymphony.org
Thru Dec 30 ~ Musical Instrument Library ~ - Check out to take one home. FREE to explore, $20 monthly donation for library card; 10-1:30p, Sebastopol Farmer's Market, 6908 Weeks Way, Sebastopol, 707-889-5199, musicalinstrumentlibrary.com
Ah, Aretha...
Oct 21 ~ Nick Gravenites 80th BDay
All Star Fundraiser - Performances from a who’s who list of Blues musicians. $40-$50, 2-7p, Sebastopol Community Cultural Center, 390 Morris Street, nickgravenites.brownpapertickets.com
Oct 22 ~ Bluegrass Jam ~ Sebastopol Grange - Bluegrass Jam every 2nd and 4th Mon. 7p at the Grange unless it is otherwise booked. Call Peter, 829-9052, to confirm location. FREE, 7p, Sebastopol Grange, 6000 Sebastopol Avenue, Hwy 12, Sebastopol, sebastopolgrange.org
Oct 26 ~ Laughing Gravy - Gram Parsons & Beyond - Enjoy ‘An Evening of Cosmic American Music’ with this popular band of super talents. $18-$22 at door, 7:30p Occidental Center for the Arts, 3850 Doris Murphy Ct., 707-874- 9392, occidentalcenterforthearts.org
By Glen Alpert
I started Washington High School in the fall of
KGFJ, the soul station, was always playing somewhere just over your shoulder. Some of the older guys took me under their wing to introduce me to other aspects of the musical culture,
1965. It was located just to the west of Watts. The Watts riots took place in the summer of 1965. National Guard troops, brought in to reinforce the police
in containing the riots and securing the streets, bivouacked on our football field.
particularly jazz, which became a lifelong pursuit.
The school was about 80% African- American. What the school may have lacked in academic resources, it more than made up with its rich, spirited and varied cultural milieu. Although I could occasionally find myself in some trouble, for the very most part I was accepted, protected, befriended.
Her name was Aretha Franklin. Everyone, absolutely everyone, had a copy of her album, “I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved You.” Soon came “Aretha Arrives” and “Lady Soul.” The impact was immense. This was a voice, a power, unlike any we had heard. This was beyond the great soul divas, this was a queen. When “Respect” hit, it was not just an anthem but also a clarion call for human rights.
We were part of the powerhouse Southern League (the athletic conference that also included Fremont, Manual Arts, Jefferson, Dorsey, and Los Angeles high schools). And although there were budgetary constraints on the music program, there were
I remember three great friends of mine who were tremendous singers (Avis, Diane, and Yolanda) standing in the cafeteria line harmonizing on a new song, “Chain of Fools.” It was my first hearing of that song and everyone in that crowded lunch room was transfixed. Perhaps my most romantic moment in high school was that late night party on 78th Street. With the blue glow of the party bulbs casting a dim light, I slow danced with beautiful Linda P. as she sang to me along with “Ain’t No Way.”
many extremely talented artists that found ways to make their gifts heard. Dances were legendary, performance assemblies were unbelievable.
We were mostly listening to Motown. The
Temptations were at the pinnacle for us but Smokey
Robinson and The Miracles, Martha and The
Vandellas, The Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder were all musical titans.
I have traveled many years and many roads since. But Aretha has always been with me. And she always will.
And then in 1967, the queen arrived.
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