Pavilion concert features '70s pop icons

I am looking forward to the Capital City Music Series concert on Saturday. Ambrosia, Poco and Gary Wright will be under the pavilion at Mills Park at 6 p.m. This concert is a tribute to "old school" pop music. I can imagine the audience having a great time and singing along with Ambrosia's "That's how much I feel for you, baby" -- since I've seen their show several times.

As a songwriter and performer releasing records on Atlantic Record, and by playing tribute shows to such greats as Rod Stewart and Tom Petty, I've enjoyed the last 30 years as a professional performing musician. I've performed in concert with the Police, Bryan Adams and Huey Lewis and have appeared on MTV, VH-1 and Dick Clark's "American Bandstand." From my experience, I've realize that music changes quite drastically over time, and those of us who maintain a professional music career are not only influenced, but a part of, the changing sounds and trends we encounter.

When I think about the Grammy award-winning artists for the Saturday lineup, obvious musical hallmarks come to mind. Dramatic keyboards punctuated Wright's sonic style and introduced fans to an otherworldly keyboard synthesizer techno sound. In fact, portions of Wright's music can even be heard in today's hip-hop/rap music.

Ambrosia was influenced by the harmonies of bands such as the 5th Dimension and the Beatles, which helped develop their own signature vocal style. Poco was a spin-off group formed by members of Buffalo Springfield D another very vocal-oriented pop group. Each of these bands enjoyed considerable success during the '70s and early '80s. They all charted in Billboard magazine's Top 100 Charts.

The groups appearing in Saturday's show were icons in a pop music culture of the '70s and '80s. Not only did they write hit songs, but they also contributed their music influences to the music culture that has evolved into today's music. Their music did not end with the hits you heard on radio back in the day. They have continued to write and record their music up into today. Saturday's show will feature favorite radio hits as well as new music by these artists. Although the new music may not be as recognized in today's radio market, it is great music.

There's always been a bridge between each generation's music. My former manager, Bruce Cohn (who also managed The Doobie Brothers), in so many words once said to me: The beauty of today's music culture is that the fans of yesterday's music now attend, with their own kids in tow, concerts to see their favorite music artists. It's true; I've witnessed it a lot. The kids get to enjoy music they have never really experienced before.

The Classic Hits Live concert at the pavilion with Ambrosia, Poco and Gary Wright begins at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $18 and are available by phone at (800)216-0891 or on the Web at www.carsoncitymusic.com.

Michael Furlong is a record producer and longtime resident of Carson City.