http://reviewermagazine.com/long-beach-blues.html
The 29th Annual Long Beach Blues Festival
Rainbow Lagoon Park
Saturday and Sunday 8/30-31/08
Chuck Berry, John Mayall, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Roy Young, Pinetop Perkins, Roy Rogers, Taj Mahal, Booker T. Jones, Charlie Musselwhite, Eddie Floyd, Ana Popovic and 2nd stage artists.
Story and photos by Jim Steinfeldt
Everyone was having a great time during this 2 day outdoor extravaganza. People were dancing, singing, lounging, eating and hanging in the shady areas.
The highlight of the Festival was the performance of 81 year old Chuck Berry. He was looking spry and although he didn’t do his ‘duck walk’ he played his hits with much enthusiasm. He really enjoyed relating to his band who as usual had never met Chuck Berry before but were hired to play this one show. They were pumped up and you could see it in there expressions. For the last song Chuck Berry invited girls in the audience to come up on stage and dance.
Below: “Security – let them through.'”
John Mayall, the legendary British bluesman who lives here in So Cal, put on a great performance of classic Blues/Rock tunes and talked about his old bandmate Eric Clapton.
The Dirty Dozen Brass Band reminded the crowd that there is more to the Blues then just Electric Guitars.
Roy Young performed songs with almost a religious fervor.
At 95 years old, Pinetop Perkins, played Blues piano backed by Bob Margolin’s band. Pinetop was a crowd favorite and he even stuck around after his performance to sign 100s of autographs.
Roy Rogers, not the TV Cowboy, brought a taste of Western sounds to the Blues with his tasty slide guitar.
Taj Mahal closed out the 2 day event with a rousing hour of great music. He looked spiffy in his Panama hat.
Booker T. Jones previously of Booker T and the M.G.s made his Hammond B-3 organ really roar combined with his classic vocals and a great band.
Charlie Musselwhite blows a mean Harmonica and played many great blues songs along with a very talented band.
Eddie Floyd of Stax Records got the crowd really pumped up early Sunday.
Ana Popovic has a young following and her sexy presence is hot.
Many great bands played the 2nd stage including “Average Johnsons” co-starring Gary Mallaber (2nd from right) the drummer for Steve Miller and Van Morrison bands.