The concert series at Central Park sponsored by Dr. Pepper (the soda brand for those who might not know) was like being a kid and shopping at FAO Schwartz for toys. For a nineteen year old in 1979, the incredible summer line up at the outdoor venue in Central Park was like a rock and roll dream come to life. Summertime in New York City became an even more magical place with manny of the established and up and coming bands and musicians of the time making a stop in Manhattan. With concert tickets priced at $4.50 for the orchestra and $2.50 in the mezzanine, or free on the boulders just outside the exterior fencing, we often found ourselves taking the 7 train from Flushing, Queens to Manhattan 2, 3, sometimes 4 times a week to get out live music fix. I am guessing we were outside for the Stephen Stills gig and I wish I had any recollection at all since I am a huge Stills fan but, alas, the fog of the late 1970’s has swallowed this one up. Orleans had some catchy hits on the radio at the time and I later caught the band on a secondary stage at Gregg Altman’s Laid Back Festival at the Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh. Orleans played a set that put a smile on our faces and sometimes that is enough.

Long May You Run

Rock on!

GQ