Concert lineup at Hard Rock Live in South Florida is full of classic rock giants

Eric Clapton, Yes and Chicago each play at Hard Rock Live this spring

 

By Michael Hamersly | mikehamersly@gmail.com2/7/2013

South Florida music fans who have been tracking the Hard Rock Live’s upcoming concert lineup have to be thrilled at the legendary names that will grace the stage over the next couple of months – especially classic-rock aficionados.

In a blink-of-an-eye month and a half, the revered venue will host a who’s-who list of bands straight from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, starting on Sunday, Feb. 17 with the Steve Miller Band, whose timeless hits include “Take the Money and Run,” “Jungle Love,” “The Joker” and “Fly Like an Eagle.” The very next night, the Beach Boys turn the HRL into a harmonious surfin’ safari by crooning classics such as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Help Me Rhonda,” “Surfin’ USA” and “Good Vibrations.”

The Doobie Brothers (Tuesday, Feb. 26) let us reminisce with “Black Water,” “Listen to the Music,” “Takin’ It to the Streets” and “China Grove,” while Hall & Oates take the stage two nights (Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9) performing the standards “Sara Smile,” “She’s Gone,” “Kiss On My List,” “Maneater,” and “I Can’t Go For That.”

Then Yes hits town on Sunday, March 24, blasting the prog-rock staples “Yours Is No Disgrace,” “I’ve Seen All Good People,” “Roundabout” and “Long Distance Runaround.”

It’s all part of the Hard Rock Live’s master vision. Of course, you’ll enjoy acts from other genres, such as old-school soul group The O’Jays, new R&B/soul man John Legend, modern rockers Matchbox Twenty and even national comedians. But it’s really all about the rock-‘n’-roll.

“Classic rock is the soul of the Hard Rock brand,” said Amanda Totaro, vice president of marketing at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “Music from multi-platinum artists like the Steve Miller Band, The Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates and Yes are timeless and just as relevant and popular now as they were over the past four decades. In movies, TV shows and on the Internet, their music is consistently played, setting the soundtrack for a new generation.”

The stellar lineup goes on and on, as the legendary Eric Clapton, whose red Fender Lead II guitar kicked off the Hard Rock franchise’s whole memorabilia collection in 1979, plays his unique brand of blues on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30, while Chicago rolls in on April 4 with a boatload of hits to choose from, including “Saturday in the Park,” “You’re the Inspiration,” “25 or 6 to 4,” If You Leave Me Now” and “Hard to Say I’m Sorry.”

After such an amazing winter/spring lineup, stay tuned for what sonic treats the summer might bring.