Three tribute singers bring back the height of the rock ‘n roll era in a tribute show at St. Albert’s Salvation Army concert hall.
In Remembering the Legends, Robert Rushton (Elvis), Hughena Burke (Patsy Cline), and Robin Marion (Ritchie Valens) kick up a storm of rock, country and Chicano rock rhythms on Saturday, April 27.
Marion recreates Ritchie Valens, a rock and roll pioneer and father of the Chicano rock movement. Unfortunately, he was killed in 1959 in a plane crash just as his two big hits La Bamba and Donna were released.
“He was so young when he died. He was the first Latino to break into the charts. It was almost unheard of back then,” said Burke, a St. Albert resident originally from Nova Scotia.
Burke reincarnates Patsy Cline’s memorable songs such as Crazy, I Fall to Pieces and Walkin’ After Midnight.
“When I think of Patsy, I think of a woman who underwent a lot of heartache. Lots of her songs are about loving someone who didn’t love her, and we can all identify with that at one time or another in our lives.”
And despite how much is known about Elvis, he remains a charming, mysterious enigma to many.
“Elvis. What can I say about the King? He sang a lot of songs and was in a lot of movies, and they still make movies about him.”
At the concert, Rushton will sing songs from his white jumpsuit era while Burke is opting to sing 12 numbers from Cline’s catalogue. Marion’s platter of Chicano music will stay focused on the late 1950s.
“When you think about these artists, they had such short careers, but they impacted the world. It was a time of change, breaking barriers and taking music into a new era. It was a real neat time.”
Burke, Rushton and Marion first met nearly 30 years ago as performers for Stars and Legends, a company that booked tribute artists across the province. Once the owner retired and the company disbanded, artists went their separate ways.
The trio are reuniting once again in what hopefully will develop into more regular performances.
“We like to stay in touch with people through music, and as artists we are very moved by audience appreciation.”
Remembering the Legends runs from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Salvation Army Bldg., 165 Liberton Dr. Tickets are $25 plus fees at www.eventbrite.ca
