brent johnson digs up another lost treasure, this week from Hoboken Arts & Music Festival headliner Ian Hunter …
If you happen to be one of those people who think Cleveland is the opposite of cool, you probably didn’t watch The Drew Carey Show. The comedian turned the opening credits of his underrated 1990s sitcom into an exhilarating love letter to his much-mocked hometown. The cast romped around Lake Eerie landmarks, backed by a catchy burst of pop-punk called ‘Cleveland Rocks’ by The Presidents Of The United States Of America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU0JpyH1gC8
But Ian Hunter did it first.
In America, Hunter is mostly known as the frontman of Mott The Hoople, the band who’s only Top 40 hit here was ‘All The Young Dudes,’ a slyly rebellious confection written by David Bowie. But as is the case with a lot of great, forgotten music, Mott is an institution in Britain — with ‘Dudes’ being an anthem for the 1970s glam-rock movement. After breaking up, guitarist Mick Ralphs went on to form Bad Company. Hunter became a solo artist.
The original version ‘Cleveland Rocks’ was a track of Hunter’s wonderful 1974 record, You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic. It may seem peculiar for a British rock star to pen an ode to a mid-size, non-coastal American city. But apparently, it was a thank-you note after Hunter found his music embraced by the Cleve. And his affection shows: The song is rife with infectious energy and a killer chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsZOVJ40Q6w
Plus, Cleveland does, indeed, rock. Or at least it used to. Ever wonder why it’s home to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? Many tout the city as the birthplace of “rock ‘n’ roll” — a phrase coined by legendary DJ, Alan Freed, who championed the genre from the get-go on his Cleveland radio shows.
Anyway, if you’re looking to see a cult rock icon — for free — Hunter is headlining the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival in the great music city of Hoboken, N.J., this Sunday. The city’s entire downtown strip morphs into a concert venue, complete with an outdoor stage and loads of food vendors. Hunter goes on at 4:30 p.m., but there are plenty of local bands before and after. For more information, visit here.
