Turtles' Mark Volman & Howard Kaylan
The Happy Together Tour 2011 at the State Fair Monday had too much in common with Hippiefest 2011 that played the Minnesota Zoo two weeks ago.
First of all, both of these oldies tours of 1960s acts had the same backup band. Not kidding. The same bassist, drummer, keyboardist and guitarist, all of whom are accomplished harmony singers.
Secondly, the first three acts in both shows were so-so whereas the final two compensated for what had preceded them.
Thirdly, both shows followed the same format, with 30 minute sets per act, with an intermission before the final two performers.
Here's a look at the Happy Together Tour Monday at the grandstand in front of about 7,000 people..
Buckinghams. What a drag. Carl Giammarese does not have much of a voice, and he wasn't even the lead singer behind "Kind of a Drag" — Dennis Tufano was. Nick Fortuna, another original member, is on board. But after hearing these two Buckinghams, I'm begging for mercy, mercy, mercy.
The Grass Roots. Lead singer Rob Grill died last month, and bassist Mark Dawson, who signed on in 2008 and has taken on the singing chores, doesn't sound remotely like Grill or the Grass Roots' records. Guitarist Dusty Hanvey looked the part but didn't join the group until the mid-1980s. Does this lineup violate the Minnesota law about having an original or heyday member in a golden oldie band?
