THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 20, 1995 TAG: 9507200372
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
The Beach Boys, who were still boys in the 1960s when they topped the national music charts with tunes like ``Surfin' USA,'' will be back in town Labor Day weekend.
They'll be one of 13 national acts to appear at the six-day American Music Festival on the Oceanfront.
The musical fare will range from soul to pop rock and will feature top names in each field.
Marquee names on the schedule include Wilson Pickett, the Sawyer Brown band, The O'Jays, Kool & the Gang, America, Junior Walker & the All Stars, The Band and Three Dog Night.
Also on the bill are Rare Earth, Leon Russell, The Kingsmen and Christopher Cross.
This will be the second year for the outdoor event, which has been expanded from four days to six by Cellar Door Entertainment of Virginia Beach.
Concerts will be held at beachfront stages at 5th, 17th and 24th streets, rain or shine.
Festival tickets are available - for $10, plus services charges - at Ticketmaster outlets, said Bill Reid, Cellar Door president. The tickets also will be available at participating hotels and offered as part of weekend package room rates.
The schedule has Wilson Pickett opening the festival on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at the 17th Street stage. Programs featuring America, Three Dog Night, Christopher Cross, Rare Earth, Leon Russell, the Beach Boys and the other acts will follow on successive nights through Monday, Sept. 4.
The acts are subject to change, said Reid. For instance, Cross's appearance isn't confirmed. Although he has committed to appear, he may be forced to postpone because a member of his band is scheduled for surgery in late August.
Parking, trolley transportation and traffic control arrangements have to be solidified, said Henry Ruiz, head of the city's Parking Systems Management office.
Last year's music festival drew thousands of listeners to the Oceanfront to hear the Beach Boys and country-Western star Billy Ray Cyrus, among others. by CNB