Steve Martin and Martin Short
7:30 pm
There is little doubt among the pure rock community that the legendary band Queen and lead performer Freddie Mercury earn high ranks as one of the most powerful and iconic groups in rock history. Queen, the kings of arena rock, performed to packed stadiums around the globe for over two decades. Freddie took showmanship by a rock front man to a new untapped level and was undisputedly crowned the lord of arena rock. He mesmerized audiences with his charismatic energy and larger than life stage persona. Upon his death in 1991, a huge void was left in the rock concert world, which to this day has not yet been matched.
Queen Nation, a tribute to Queen, was formed in 2004. Queen Nation consists of: Gregory Finsley on vocals & keyboards as Freddie Mercury, Mike McManus on guitar as Brian May, Pete Burke on drums as Roger Taylor, and Parker Combs on bass as John Deacon. The mission of the show is to carry on the musical torch and pay homage to the golden age of vintage Queen concerts.
Queen Nation’s live 90-minute production of Queen’s greatest hits preserves the image, sound, and stage persona of vintage Queen. Audiences are amazed at the accuracy of Queen Nation’s live retrospective journey through such Queen songs as We Will Rock You – Bohemian Rhapsody – We Are The Champions – Crazy Little Thing Called Love – You’re My Best Friend – Another One Bites The Dust – Under Pressure and many more. They have performed in front of thousands of people at casinos, fairs, festivals and private affairs.
EGODOG released three critically acclaimed albums between 1997 and 2001, and traveled abroad each year performing for the U.S. Department of Defense. These very successful tours entertaining our troops took them to such far away countries as Japan, Bosnia, Kosovo and Hungary.
In 2003, Mike created the musically animated Uncle Moondog, a scruffy-looking terrier who lives on the beach, sings songs and drives a dune buggy. (Check out www.unclemoondog.com) He wrote, recorded and released the 10-song “Uncle Moondog” CD in December 2003, and has received rave reviews across the country and spanning as far as the U.K. and Japan.
PARKER COMBS – BASS
Parker Combs, longtime Queen fan, started playing standup bass at 12 years old. After spending the next five years playing in school orchestras and spending summers honing his craft at Interlochen Performing Arts Academy in Michigan he graduated to the electric bass. He has spent the last 18 years playing original and cover music in a variety of rock, funk and country bands. “Playing with Queen Nation has allowed me to use my classical and rock background to truly appreciate John Deacon’s Musicianship and re-discover the music and history of Queen.
PETER BURKE – DRUMS / VOCALS
Peter Burke has been active in the LA music scene since the mid-90s. Originally inspired by classic rock bands like AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Led Zeppelin, the first album he ever bought was Queen’s “The Game”. In college he developed a love for jazz and classical music, performing throughout Europe with the CSUN Symphony Orchestra and statewide with renowned Jazz “A” Band. He earned Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from Cal. St. Northridge in 2000.
Peter began his professional career playing with the band 10 Speed, signed to A&M Records. They released their debut album internationally in 1998, and embarked on a coinciding tour of the U.S. and Europe.
Throughout the first decade of the new millennium, he worked several platinum-selling recording artists including Wilson Phillips, Tiffany, and the BulletBoys. Highlights included appearances on TV shows “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”, “Good Morning America”, and “On Air with Ryan Seacrest” with Wilson Phillips in support of their Columbia release “California” in 2004, and 2 albums recorded with the BulletBoys [“Sophie” with the help of legendary producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones), and “Live: Behind the Orange Curtain”].
Also highly regarded as a studio drummer, many of his recordings have appeared in major motion pictures and TV shows. Songs from the 2006 debut album of the band “The Skies of America” with famed producer Sylvia Massey Shivy (Chili Peppers, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins) have appeared in movies “The Bridge to Terabithia”(Disney), National Lampoon’s Van Wilder II, and “Eulogy” (Myriad Pictures). He’s also recorded with Joseph Arthur (for “One Hour Photo”, with Robin Williams), and Paperback Hero, who have had songs placed in TV shows “Friday Night Lights”(NBC), “Shark”(CBS), and “Felicity”(WB).
Paperback Hero recently finished up its new Full length album, entitled “Cautionary Tale” with producer Jay Ruston (The Donnas, Steel Panther, Army of Freshman) for a 2010 release. Paperback Hero also recently won the KYSR – 98.7 FM (Clear Channel/Los Angeles) “Rock Star 3” competition – among the prizes was $25,000, and a performance at the opening of the new Grammy Museum @ LA Live on the Nokia Plaza to a crowd of more than 3000 fans.
As a performer in tribute bands, you can catch Peter playing drums with Queen Nation (Queen), The Who Revue (The Who), and Holy Diver (Dio). Also, he currently plays vibraphone in Shades of Jade: A Tribute to Cal Tjader.
Hot Summer Nights is is an annual free summer concert series hosted every Tuesday evening throughout the summer at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. Gates open at 5:30, concert begins at 6:30. Bring a picnic for the lawn or enjoy our top of the line concessions at the iconic open air Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
Want to reserve the amphitheater or have further questions about an event? Get in contact with us and we are always happy to help!
970.845.8497
boxoffice@vvf.org