CasiNotes: The art of classic rock, on walls, in halls
IT'S GOING to be a classic weekend in Atlantic City. Make that a classic-rock weekend. The sights as well as the sounds of the rock and pop music of the 1960s and '70s will dominate the July Fourth holiday party in AyCee, as an art exhibit dedicated to the artists of the era, as well as a slew of performers themselves, are on tap.
IT'S GOING to be a classic weekend in Atlantic City. Make that a classic-rock weekend.
The sights as well as the sounds of the rock and pop music of the 1960s and '70s will dominate the July Fourth holiday party in AyCee, as an art exhibit dedicated to the artists of the era, as well as a slew of performers themselves, are on tap.
Resorts Atlantic City is the site of the Classic Rock Art Show, a three-day visual extravaganza that is part of the casino's summer-long Boogie Nights Rock and Pop Art Gallery.
According to creator-producer Scott Segelbaum, of Blue Bell, the art show features some 200 pieces. They include original artwork by John Lennon, Ringo Starr and the Rolling Stones' Ron Wood; photographs of superstars; and memorabilia like vintage concert posters, gold records and handwritten lyrics.
There will be appearances by Ron Campbell, director of the legendary Saturday morning cartoon series "The Beatles," which aired on ABC from 1965 through '69, and veteran concert-poster designer Scotty C.
While this is the exhibit's first time in Atlantic City, it has been around since 1992, when Segelbaum, then a promotions director for a Los Angeles rock-radio station, conceived the idea.
"I happened to be a big fan of John Lennon's artwork, and this was when Jerry Garcia and Ron Wood had just put out artwork," recalled Segelbaum, adding that creating a display seemed a natural idea for a rock outlet. "Ringo even had his first piece on exhibit there," he recalled.
But the former Beatle wasn't the only one to show his visual side with the help of the Classic Rock Art Show. Segelbaum takes credit for introducing the art of such icons as Mickey Dolenz, of the Monkees, and the late John Entwhistle, of the Who.
As they always are, the pieces on display - including two limited-edition Michael Jackson gold records (for "Billie Jean" and "Beat It") - are also for sale. According to Segelbaum, the cheapest items are copies of various concert handbills designed by artist Bob Masse. The priciest is a hand-signed Lennon lithograph that goes for $9,500.
Because Segelbaum goes exclusively through publishers, distributors and the artists themselves, "There's never a problem with authenticity."
Although he certainly hopes that browsers will become buyers, Segelbaum cautioned that you should "buy it because you love it, not because you want to invest." Nonetheless, he said that despite the current economy, rock 'n' roll memorabilia appears to be a solid investment.
"Signed art by a Paul McCartney or Jerry Garcia is skyrocketing [in value]. They just go up and up."
Resorts Atlantic City, Boardwalk at North Carolina Avenue, 2 p.m. to midnight today and tomorrow, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, 609-344-6000, www.resortsac.com/entertainment.
Still rockin'
For those looking for a more sonic experience, Atlantic City will be teeming with vintage rock acts this weekend:
_ Piggybacking on the Classic Rock Art Show is the only area performance by the reconstituted Bad Company, at Resorts. The band's bass player, Boz Burrell, died of a heart attack at age 60 in 2006, but his three band co-founders - Paul Rodgers (vocals), Mick Ralphs (guitar) and Simon Kirke (drums) will perform.
Showtime is 8 p.m. Admission is $185, $125 and $85. For tickets, call 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.
_ Tomorrow at the Atlantic City Hilton, Woodstock vet Joe Cocker will no doubt prove yet again why he is a master of the blues-rock idiom. Showtime is 8 p.m. Admission is $60. Get tickets at 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.
_ Tonight, the Hilton presents the Monsters of Classic Rock, the collective banner under which a quartet of high-pedigree back-up musicians perform. The group features one of classic rock's greatest drummers, Chris Slade (his credits include Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Asia, AC/DC and the Firm with Paul Rodgers); bassist Carmine Rojas (David Bowie, Rod Stewart), keyboardist Sam McCaslin (XYZ) and guitarist Greg Douglass (Steve Miller Band, Greg Kihn Band). Showtime is 9 p.m. Admission is $15. For tickets, call 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.
_ The Tropicana's contribution to the festivities is tonight's concert by the Doobie Brothers, the 1970s pop-rock powerhouse whose many hits include "China Grove," "Listen to the Music," "Black Water" and "What a Fool Believes." Showtime is 9 p.m. Admission is $75, $55, $45 and $35. For tickets, call 800-736-1420, or go to www.ticketmaster.com.
Remembering Michael
The passing of Michael Jackson isn't going unnoticed in Atlantic City.
Tomorrow at House of Blues inside the Showboat, Who's Bad, The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, is staging a concert in memory of the moonwalking megastar who died last week.
Doors open at 9:30 p.m. for the 10:30 set. Admission is free, but on a first-come, first-admitted basis. For info, call 609-2362583, or go to www.hob.com.
Tonight and tomorrow, Boogie Nights at Resorts will be paying homage to The Gloved One by having its DJs spin his greatest hits.
An explosive event
As they did last year, Borgata and Harrah's Atlantic City are teaming up for a massive fireworks display at the city's Marina District. The pyrotechnics begin at 9 p.m. at the Big B's surface parking lot. Judging by last year's display, don't expect the fireworks to be entirely visible from the Boardwalk. *
Chuck Darrow has covered Atlantic City and casinos for more than 20 years. Read his blog http://go.philly.com/casinotes.
E-mail him at darrowc@phillynews.com.
And listen to his Atlantic City report Saturdays at 1:25 a.m. with Steve Trevelise on WIP (610-AM).