Yesterday’s not gone when it comes to the love for a certain band whose songs still live on for those who have a record player, as well as for those who now watch the show Glee.
And now local fans can sing along when Wentworth Music holds Don’t Stop, a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, Sunday at the Vernon Recreation Complex auditorium.
For those who didn’t catch the recent episode of Glee, which paid tribute to the band’s iconic album, Rumours, Fleetwood Mac was one of the cutting edge groups of the ‘70s.
Made up of American and British musicians, (the most noted lineup being Mick Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, and Christine McVie), the band released its top-selling album, Rumours, in 1977. It remained No. 1 on the American albums chart for 31 weeks, and reached the top spot in various countries around the world.
To this date, the album has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, making it the ninth highest selling album of all time.
After a successful inaugural concert, A Beatles Tribute, in March, Wentworth students have been working hard on another themed concert production, said Noel Wentworth, vice president of music education at Wentworth Music.
Rather than the traditional music recital, the students have been learning songs from famous bands and rehearsing together as 10 individual bands.
“It’s all about the kids and giving them an opportunity to play together in front of a live audience. If you had a student take music lessons and then not give him, or her, the opportunity to play in a band, it would be like telling a goalie to practise but never play in a game,” said Wentworth.
And the choice of covering Fleetwood Mac tunes was a clear one.
“The band brings memories back to many of us, but for the students of Wentworth Music, it’s the idea of a change from a traditional concept of what music lessons have been about,” said Wentworth.
The music school will once again be supporting the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation’s Tower of Care campaign with proceeds from its concert.
“In essence it’s kids helping kids through something they are passionate about,” said Wentworth. “(The) students are working hard towards showing people they can make a difference in the community they live in.”
Don’t Stop –– a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac takes place at the Vernon Recreation Complex auditorium Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students, available at Wentworth Music, and Wentworth Music Education Centre, at 4301-29th St., Vernon.
