Cheap Trick to play on Conan in midst of career second-wind

1 comment July 27th, 2009

On the inaugural show of “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” on June 1, O’Brien “ran” from New York City, where his former late-night show broadcast from, to Los Angeles, his new base city, while Cheap Trick’s “Surrender” hit played in its entirety.

On Sept. 1, the 35-year-old, Rockford-based power popsters who are in the midst of a busy second wind in their career, will play a song off their latest album,  “The Latest,” on O’Brien’s show, according to the quartet’s Web site. The song, “Sick Man of Europe,” rocks more than pops, thank you very much.

Cheap Trick will be winding down in California that week from a summer tour with Def Leppard. Then it’s on to Las Vegas. At the Las Vegas Hilton, band members will “take on one of the most ambitious projects of their career - performing what is perhaps rock’s most iconic album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, according to glidemagazine.com.

The show runs for nine nights Sept. 13-15, 17-19 and 21-23. Tickets cost $65 to $95.

Rockford Symphony donations down, but budget balanced

Add comment July 27th, 2009

The Rockford Symphony Orchestra collected $108,000 less in donations, including funding from the Rockford Area Arts Council, Black Magic Ball revenue and gifts from individuals and corporations in its 2008-2009 season, according to a news release. That represented a 19 percent decrease in contributions. Its fiscal year ended June 30.

But through efforts such as a staff reduction, salary freezes and other administrative cost reductions, a 3 percent increase in paid attendance and a grant, the Symphony ended with a balanced budget. The RSO’s annual budget is $1.4 million.

The Symphony ended the season with 2,308 subscribers, up from 2,206 the previous season.