In November 1991, a storm packing 60 mile-per-hour winds attacked Tucson. Among the casualties was one of our city’s most beloved concert and dance venues, El Casino Ballroom.
The storm blew half the roof off the building, and that ended any sort of performances at the Ballroom for nine years. The half that still had a roof eventually re-opened, and it’s quite the place. Oh, is it ever.
This past Friday night, Tucson’s community radio station, KXCI-FM 91.3, went back to its roots and hosted a House Rockin’ Blues Review that drew 800 people. The station once offered a full menu of El Casino events to fund its startup and operating costs. Those came to an end after the roof debacle.
KXCI asked me to photograph the House Rockin’ Blues Review, and, yes, I’ve done other shoots for the station. But there was something different about this one. The crowd snapped to attention as soon as KXCI Blues Review deejay Marty Kool stepped up to the mike…
As soon as Stefan George and Tom Walbank struck up their band, the dance floor filled. And it stayed that way…
It was as if the crowd had waited a long time for this night, and they were going to enjoy every morsel of it.
Say, did I mention Stefan George? Well, here he is…
And here’s Tom Walbank…
Stefan George and Tom Walbank were accompanied on bass by Steve Grams…
After Stefan and Tom finished their concert, the crowd headed to the bar and to the food trucks outside…
After intermission, it was time for the Mike Hebert Band…
Here’s Mike Hebert on a guitar solo…
Singing lead vocals with the Mike Hebert Band, it’s Katherine Byrnes…
Playing saxophone, it’s Jeff Grubic…
