This week finds us celebrating various ends of the music spectrum. As usual, if you want to do it, there is plenty to do.
Let’s begin with the life of Riley; Mark, to be exact. Area musician Mark Riley, 67, passed away on Jan. 15. Acclaimed by many pickers, players, listeners, friends and fans as one of the best guitarists of our age and area, Mark didn’t play out a lot in his later years but in the day he rocked our world well and often. Early bands included The Sting Rays, The Impacts and The Shags from Peoria, and he performed with many other groups through the years.
He could nail a Jimi Hendrix solo note for note and was known for his ability to play exact parts just like the record, not some made-up, halfway bit. One night after a Brewhaus Sunday back in the day we talked music at the post-party. I lost him in the after-gig goings on, and the next thing I hear is someone (Mark, of course) at the piano playing Beatles songs and mesmerizing everyone. Mark seemed surprised by the attention and didn’t play for long, but that was my insight into his uncanny and undeniable talent and genius for performance and taste. I missed providing information of his service, so sorry to all for that. Friends gathered and exchanged tales of adventures of the Riley brothers, among other stories of a life well lived. Off to “kiss the sky” goes Mark Riley, and our best goes with him.
In another loss, gather with friends, family and supporters for the celebration of the life of bassist Rob Gordon on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m. in Decatur’s AIW Hall. Rob tragically died on Dec. 29 during those freak floods while driving home after a gig in Taylorville and hitting a wall of water in what was normally a regular drainage ditch.
Loved and appreciated by all who knew him, Rob played and sang in Cactus Ranch, a bluegrass, country and fun music band. The celebration will also be a benefit to fund the education of Rob’s seventeen-year old son, Dewey, a junior at Tri-City High School with plans on attending college. Come on out to hear live music, participate in silent auctions and support another musician done gone.
Not in nearly the same category but still considered a celebration of an artist no longer with us, the Midwest Tribute to the King competition happens this weekend at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center. This is a big deal to participating Elvis Presley performers and generally brings top notch Elvises (Elvii?) to do the best EP invocation they can muster. If nothing else, the exciting experience of being in the same room with several guys dressed up and acting like Elvis Presley can be extremely enticing and invigorating. It can also bring up other emotions for different folks, so to each his own and to Elvis goes his tribute. The host organization plans to donate a portion of the proceeds to Land of Lincoln Honor Flights and presents a meet and greet from noon to 2 p.m. at the Burger Bar. Long live the King!
In club news around town, Bar None goes on a tear with Old Salt Union and Sunshine Daydream on Thursday and Mama and Yogi Beara on Friday. On Saturday the Brewhaus presents the Blue G’s, and Black Queen plays at George Ranks, while Diversion hits the Curve Inn and Kilborn Alley Blues Band rolls into Casey’s Pub.
Check out all the other fine bands around town in our happening and informative Pub Crawl.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
