Mayor Annise Parker does the "Tighten Up" with Archie Bell at the concert Mondaynight.
Photo by Annie Gallay
Yvonne Washington
Braving the cold weather Monday night for Annise Parker's innaugural concert at Discovery Green were a few handfuls of what she called "the intrepid, the hardcore Houstonians."
For those that made it out, the concert headlined by Houston-based acts Mango Punch, Yvonne Washington, Roy Head, Archie Bell and Jennifer Holliday did not disappoint. Yvonne Washington got the crowd going with her wicked humor, and her voice caused as many chills as the weather. Roy Head seemed to have kept warm with a spiked beverage or two (or five), and had the band jumping nervously away from his flailing microphone tricks. But despite (or because of) his sore throat and sometimes rambling intercessions, the man put on a show.
A highlight of the program was Archie Bell doing his famous tighten up, even getting the Mayor herself onstage for a tutorial. My mom saw Archie Bell and the Drells at a fraternity party in college, and swears the man hasn't changed a bit. A close second for favorite number was his duet with Miss Washington; the duo sang "Stand By Me."
By the time the evening concluded with an impressive fireworks display that emitted some serious heat, the crowd had warmed themselves up with some fancy footwork. Thanks to Archie, we couldn't stop dancing.
Legendary rockers Styx and Kevin Cronin, lead singer of REO Speedwagon, will team up to co-headline the “Brotherhood of Rock” tour in 2025, which will include a stop at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, June 6.
The large, 40-city tour will take place over three months, starting in Greenville, South Carolina on May 28, and wrapping up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on August 24.
In addition to Houston, the tour will go to Austin on June 4 and Dallas on August 1. It will include special guest Don Felder, former lead guitarist for the Eagles, at all dates.
Fans can expect some of the greatest rock anthems of all time, including “Renegade,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Come Sail Away,” “Can't Fight This Feeling,” and “Hotel California.”
Styx and Cronin (as part of REO Speedwagon) first toured together in 2000 and in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, coming together to form the Rock to the Rescue 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. This will mark their sixth time joining forces on the road.
2022 was the 50th anniversary of Styx's self-titled debut album, but they have yet to slow down. The band released their 17th album, Crash of the Crown, in 2021. Of course, not everyone is a fan, as this classic clip from The Simpsons illustrates.
REO Speedwagon's recording days appear to be done, with their last album coming out in 2009, but the main group of five has been together since 1989. On this tour, Cronin will be joined by REO's lead guitarist Dave Amato and drummer Bryan Hitt.
General tickets for the tour will go on sale starting on Friday, December 13 at 10 am at LiveNation.com.
Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets in the U.S. beginning on December 9 at 10 am through the Citi Entertainment program.
Styx and Kevin Cronin will be offering VIP packages via their own exclusive pre-sales beginning on Tuesday, December 10 at 10 am, as well as at LiveNation.com.
Mayor Annise Parker does the "Tighten Up" with Archie Bell at the concert Mondaynight.Photo by Annie Gallay
Yvonne Washington