Chuck Berry to help open Raleigh convention center

Raleigh, N.C. — Legendary rocker Chuck Berry will headline a series of September concerts that will help the city open its downtown convention center, Mayor Charles Meeker said Tuesday.

The "Raleigh Wide Open" event will feature Berry, whose hits include "Johnny B. Goode," "Maybellene" and "Roll Over Beethoven," on Sept. 5. The convention center will officially open at noon that day.

Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development will open for Berry on the stage in the 500 block of South Fayetteville Street.

Lou Gramm, the former lead singer of the 1970s and 1980s rock group Foreigner, will headline a second night of concerts on Sept. 6. Rockers Soul Asylum will open for him.

The weekend celebration also will feature an alternative music stage, dubbed Cherry Bounce. The Annuals, a Raleigh-based band, will perform on the stage on Sept. 5, and Islands, a high-energy act out of Montreal, will perform on Sept. 6.

Other music acts will be scheduled around downtown in addition to the headline concerts, officials said.

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Latest Comments

Nowhere in the triangle ever came close to Seattle. It takes more than funding... it takes talent in the area and support for the talent that you have. Stop going to see cover bands and start checking out original music at The Pour House or The Dive Bar. Funding has little to do with it.

mrcritic
July 17, 2008 8:17 a.m.

"chance, you're right. They should be booking the Jonas Brothers, just for you LOL.* ....DAVIDGNEWS**

Thanks David ... I'll take that as a compliment as I'm not that young! :) The median age for Raleigh is 32-37 ... wouldn't it be a bright idea to actually try to target the majority at that age range? Besides, it's just extremely sad that with all the talent out there Raleigh couldn't do a better job. My Company gets better talent at their conventions. Heck, many of the small clubs in the area get better talent.

chance
July 16, 2008 2:13 p.m.

I'll be there if only to see Arrested Development. I hope they perform Tennessee! LOL

hollylama
July 16, 2008 1:55 p.m.

I'm excited about a chance to see Chuck Berry for free. Although who'd really rock the stage: Jim Nabors. Why can't we get Gomer to come home for a free show? I'm hooked on the RTN Gomer Pyle show.

The least they could do is pay for Andy Griffith to come out and launch the place. Or James Taylor? Or Maceo Parker and his son's band?

Chuck Berry is great. Arrested Development? Why? Why? They had a minor hit nearly 20 years ago. And it's a song about Tennessee. Couldn't we at least get Petey Pablo?

Meekerville is too meek.

foetine
July 16, 2008 12:51 p.m.

Just a matter of time before they will follow in the footsteps of the Lincole Theatre and host tribute bands. So typical of Raleigh. This is not a place for music or the arts. mrcritic

The 'triangle music scene' is highly, highly, overrated. Chapel Hill still hasn't gotten over trying to be 'the next Seattle' from the early 90s!

davidgnews
July 16, 2008 10:49 a.m.