Styx Pieces
 STYX vinyl lp KILROY WAS HERE US $6.99 
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 STYX holographic etched vinyl lp PARADISE THEATRE US $7.99
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 STYX nr mint vinyl lp PIECES OF EIGHT US $7.99
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 Styx Pieces of Eight LP Record US $.99
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A very nice tradition that started 20 years ago here in Omaha continued over this 4th of July weekend. A major bank that does a large amount of business here decided back in 1991 to hold a free concert every year on the Friday night before the 4th at Memorial Park in Midtown Omaha as a "thank you" to the citizens for their business and support.
Memorial Park is a beautiful, spacious area situated right in the middle of an older charming residential neighborhood in Midtown. The memorial to Omaha area members of the military killed in WWII is located at the top of a landscape that gradually slopes down the hill to a busy street below. Traffic heading east and west along Dodge street can look up the hill to the monument and the American flag. It's an inspiring sight.
The park is dotted with several clumps of trees throughout and the grass is well maintained by the city. It probably covers the equivalent of four square city blocks. In other words, the park can accommodate a huge number of people.
For the annual concert a huge stage in placed at the bottom of the hill set nicely in front of a row of very tall trees. Concert goers can then claim spots on the side of the hill and look down at the stage. For those who sit on hillsides that do not face the stage, huge screens are set up showing the music groups in excellent detail.
Surprised by the size of the initial crowd, the bank decided to go after bigger name musical groups for future concerts. It worked. Groups from the 60′s and 70′s were the main focus. The bulk of the crowds over the years consisted of Baby Boomers who brought their blankets, chairs, beer and wine, food... and children.
Now, there are as many "children" as there are Boomers at the park on the weekend of the 4th. Those younger children continued coming to the concerts and now many of them are bringing their own children. The crowds quickly grew to over 40,000 fans and, soon after that, 50,000 fans singing and dancing in the park. This event became a gigantic picnic/concert/happening. The show always ends with a nice fireworks display.
I'm still amazed at how our children know the words to so many songs from the 60′s. My sons remind me that they know the music because my wife and I played the songs over, and over, and over again as they grew up. They had no choice.
Well, this year the concert brought in three big names from the 70's and each act performed admirably (cool beans, man). Up first was "Kansas" who definitely warmed up the crowd. You forget how many hits these groups put out in their prime. "Oh yeah, I forgot about this song!" could be heard all over the park as all three groups performed.
Next up was "Styx" followed by headliner "Foreigner". This year, the crowd swelled to 80,000. There was fortunately a nice cool breeze to keep the crowd from melting. Beach balls flew all over the park. Young children played, teenagers threw around footballs and frisbees, and us "oldies but goodies" sat in our portable chairs sipping wine or chugging beer. We snacked on pieces of chicken, grapes, cheese, crackers, and nuts.
The sound system, as usual, was great. The music was terrific. These groups still perform on a regular basis and the quality shows through. All three of these famous bands still have a sound remarkably similar to their original recordings.
It was a great way to kick off the 4th of July weekend with 80,000 of your closest friends. Most definitely, a good time was had by all. It was a little slice of heaven.
Phil McMillan is a writer who maintains a daily blog entitled "Baby Boomer Baloney" ( http://www.babyboomerbaloney.com ). He provides daily humor videos for his readers as well as music videos from the 60's through the 80's along with his own personal comments.
Phil McMillan
http://www.babyboomerbaloney.com
ptmcmillan@gmail.com
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