Annual Roots of Rock and Roll Concert

She Loves You – 50th Anniversary of the British Invasion

The popular 17th Annual Roots of Rock and Roll Concert by Concordia ethnomusicologist and musician Craig Morrison will be presented at the Oscar Peterson Concert Hall on February 7 and 8 (Friday and Saturday).

Each year, the concert features a different musical theme, ranging from tributes to Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, and California music to soul and Motown and movie soundtracks.

This year’s theme celebrates the 50th Anniversary of The British Invasion. The Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964, watched by a record 73 million television viewers, opened the door for many other British acts to have international success, thrilling millions of fans and inspiring budding musicians while dominating the pop charts.

One week in May 1965 saw British acts having eight of the US Top 10 songs: the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Herman’s Hermits, Freddie and the Dreamers, Petula Clark, and Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders. The concert will feature their songs as well as hits by the Dave Clark Five, Gerry and the Pacemakers, the Hollies, the Searchers, the Kinks, Manfred Mann, the Animals, the Yardbirds, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Dusty Springfield, and Peter & Gordon.

The show will include; I Want to Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, I Can’t Get No Satisfaction, Glad All Over, House of the Rising Sun, Downtown, Ferry ‘Cross the Mersey, Just One Look, Groovy Kind of Love, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, and many more.

The on-stage ensemble, collectively called Craig Morrison & the Momentz, includes the popular retro party band Vintage Wine (Morrison, Gary Sharkey, Ryan Fleury, Alex Nesrallah), plus guests: pianist John McDiarmid, multi-instrumentalist Terry Joe “Banjo” Rodrigues, guitarists Pat Loiselle and Gerry Kandestin, and vocalists Angela Galuppo and Amelia McMahon. On Saturday only, Cantor Gideon Zelermyer will be a special guest.

A popular aspect of these concerts is Morrison’s spoken introductions to the songs, putting them in context. This one-of-a-kind event is sponsored by the Concordia Department of Music. Dr. Morrison currently teaches courses on Rock and Roll and Its Roots, Black Music, and regional styles (in a course called Musical History Tour) at Concordia.

Tickets are $25 (regular), $20 (seniors), $15 (students), available at the Concert Hall box office 514-848-4848 (in person pick-up only), online via Admission.com, or at Vintage Wine performances (www.craigmorrison.com).

Oscar Peterson Concert Hall at Concordia’s Loyola campus in NDG:
7141 Sherbrooke West. February 7 and 8 at 8 pm.

Please note that the concerts are typically sold out.
It is strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance.