Ann Arbor has the blues in a big way
Ann Arbor has the blues in a big way
Ann Arbor has the blues in a big way, and the younger people are flocking to hear them.
The concert a couple of nights ago in Hill Auditorium was the first of a series of major blues artists who will appear here. Hill resounded with the blues of Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, and Terry Tate.
When the third annual blues festival failed to materialize last summer, backers of the project vowed that the blues would not die out of Ann Arbor. Pete Andrews, who has his finger in about every worthwhile popular music event, sensed that the blues would go over big and has been upheld by attendance.
With his brother, Andrews opened the former Canterbury House on Maynard St. and named it the Alley. Luther Allison was brought in as the first big name attraction and filled the Alley to capacity for two Friday, two Saturday, and a Sunday night’s performance. Fred McDowell made an unexpected appearance and those in the audience went out of their minds, it is reported.
The next Hill concert will feature Mountain Mylon, Friday, followed by B. B. King and Howling Wolf, Oct. 8.
Meanwhile, at the Alley, Commander Cody and the Planets Five are going to appear as is Tate.
Andrews is seeking to bring in Ray Charles and Gladys Knight if dates can be arranged.