Nuevo Vallarta
The inaugural Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival being held December 12-14 in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit features 20 acts including American rockers the BoDeans; blues favorites Fabulous Thunderbirds; rock-a-billy specialists Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats; country rockers Poco, Pure Prairie League and Firefall; and iconic classic rock bands Jefferson Starship, Kansas, Cheap Trick, Foghat and Spencer Davis Group.
Set on Riviera Nayarit’s beautiful beach coastline overlooking the Banderas Bay, fans will also enjoy gourmet tacos, tequilas and other regional specialties. Discounted room rates and event packages are offered by Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, the Villla Group, Bel Air Collection Resort and Spa and Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort.
“As the world’s first and only festival celebrating classic rock, our mission is to treat fans to three days of performances by some of the greatest musicians from the era while collecting toys for local children and raising money for DIF (a local children’s charity). Whether you love roots rock, blues, soft or hard rock, you won’t be disappointed!” said festival creator, John Zaring.
In addition to the headliners, solo artists and singers performing with the festival’s all-star house band include Dave Mason (Traffic), Gary Wright (best known for his smash hit “Dreamweaver”), Craig Fuller (lead singer of both Little Feat and Little River Band), former Journey lead singer Steve Augeri, former Grand Funk Railroad lead singer Mark Farner, Monkees frontman Micky Dolenz and blues legend Sam Moore (Sam and Dave).
The house band musicians are from several stellar rock acts include former Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan lead guitarist Jeffrey ‘Skunk’ Baxter, former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Billy Burnette, The Cars guitarist Elliot Easton, bassists Kenny Lee Lewis of Steve Miller Band and Kenny Gradney of Little Feat, drummers Curly Smith (Boston) and Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, John Mellencamp), and keyboardist Teddy ‘Zig Zag’ Andreadis (various artists including Carole King, Guns ‘n Roses). In addition the backing soloists, the house band will play songs from their own catalogs.
The weekend-long event also includes a celebrity golf event benefiting DIF, an exhibit of famous album cover art and concert photography, and other events in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit.
For tickets and hotel specials, go to http://vallartanayaritclassicrockfest.com/schedule.php.
