ORLEANS IN CONCERT:
Veteran pop-rockers Orleans have pleased generations of fans with their lush vocal harmonies, lockstep guitar leads, and funky keyboards. In concert the band brings their classic sounds to life, treating fans to smile-inducing vibes that transport them straight back to the sunny ‘70s. As audiences rock out to the nostalgic hits, each member masterfully nails the instrumental breakdowns and catchy choruses of favorites like “Still the One”, “Dance with Me”, and “Love Takes Time”. Orleans remains one of the most fun and refreshing bands from the ‘70s, and ticket buyers are encouraged to bring an 8-track mentality as they sing along to their groovy tunes on tour.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
When he decided to form his own group in 1971, in-demand songwriter and touring musician John Hall (guitar/vocals) contacted former bandmate Wells Kelly (piano/percussion). Kelly reached out to long-time friend Larry Hoppen (guitar), who in turn brought his 17-year-old brother Lance (bass) on board. This lineup scored the 1975 hit “Dance with Me” before adding full-time drummer Jerry Marotta in 1976. Shortly thereafter Orleans released their trademark hit “Still the One”, which cemented the group as pop-rock royalty overnight. Unfortunately, conflicting personalities in the band led John Hall to leave the group in 1977 for a solo career. The remaining members soldiered on, once again climbing the charts in 1979 with the hit “Love Takes Time”. Though the lineup was constantly in flux throughout the early ‘80s, the original members were reunited by the time of Kelly’s untimely death in 1986. The group continued to tour and record in the ensuing decades, taking breaks for a group hiatus from 1997-2001 and Hall’s stint in Congress from 2007-2011. Since his term in office, Hall has brought his inimitable singing and playing back into the fold, sparking excitement among Orleans fans around the globe.
