It was a busy night at the Colonial Theater in downtown Phoenixville on Thursday night. The new blockbuster Avengers movie was playing in one of the smaller theaters. Kids, teenagers and geeky people dressed like superheroes all converged in the lobby of the old, beautiful movie house as we waited for the 1903 main theater yo open.
Oh, yes... There happened to be a concert in town as well- the iconic Roger McGuinn.
McGuinn is best known as the leader of the classic rock/ folk 60s band, The Byrds. They were billed back then as "America's answer to The Beatles." McGuinn met The Beatles many times and hung out with them, both here in the States and in England. More on that later.
The Colonial was packed on a weeknight, on a mild spring night in late April. The crowd was mostly older, as one would suspect. Only a few empty seats were seen.
McGuinn came out, dressed all in black, and looked great for a guy who is 76 years old. He proceeded to do a two hour show by himself- no back-up band or even a duet partner- just McGuinn and his many guitars( ( from acoustic to 12-string to the Rickenbacker electric guitar).
He was in fine voice through-out, and told fascinating stories all evening, starting with how he got his first guitar, all the way to forming The Byrds.McGuinn seemed to know everyone back in the late 60s. He casually name-dropped music legends like Bobby Darin, Miles Davis, The Mamas and the Papas, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Pete Seeger, Tom Petty, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon and more.
The show was split into two sets ( with a 15 minutes break in between). At times McGuinn would stand and play, other times he sat and did a lot of intricate guitar chords. Roger performed many folk classics from other artists ( the entire show was heavier on folk rather than rock), many traditional songs, plus iconic Byrds' music , such a s"Turn! Turn! Turn! on the twangy Rickenbacker guitar.
Although well received by the audience all night, the more familiar Byrds stuff brought the most applause and enthusiasm.
A mini-tribute to the late Tom Petty was included in the second half ( which went far quicker than Act 1. "American Girl" sounded fresh on McGuinn's guitar, his voice similar to Petty's high tone.
But the real showstopper was a great cover of "Mr. Tamborine Man." the first Bryds' single and the record that would launch them in America.
A three-song encore followed a rousing standing ovation (I'll Feel A Whole Lot better" being a highlight encore tune), followed by another extended standing ovation as McGuinn said goodnight.
Catch Roger McGuinn on tour while you can. It's an unforgettable evening of great music and storyteller. You'll feel like McGuinn is sititng in your living room, chatting and playing guitar, like an old friend.
*** out of four stars.
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