On September 24, 1969 (oh.I mean 2005) I took in the sights and sounds of the Durham Fair.    You could have pictured yourself at Woodstock given the ambience of the crowd that filled the field to hear this 1960's reproduction - lots of groovy people sprawled out on blankets, moms swaying to the music with babies on their hips, and the tunes of The Happening pouring through the air tuning out the rest of the world...

 

            The Happening, a 60's cover band, performed on the main stage at the Durham Fair, opening up for the Gin Blossoms.  For the past two years, The Happening has been spreading peace, love and classic 1960's rock and roll around the band circuit.  Classifying them as a cover band really wouldn't do this band any justice.  After taking them in, I think their performance would best be categorized as an experience.  On drums is the founder of the band, Jim Neri, who entertains the audience by dropping historical anecdotes of the songs and the artists who originally sang them.  Lead vocals are covered by Vanessa Stevens, who draws her influences from Janis Joplin.  Again, keeping with the "experience", Vanessa is draped out in true 60's garb from beads to donning a feather boa and colored glasses during the Joplin covers. 

 

Also sharing the load on lead vocals and guitar is a true talent, Steve McGrath, whose vocals range from Neil Young to Roger Daltry to David Bowie, which he sings all with ease.  Cascading notes flow effortlessly from Kevin Lewis, who delivers on lead guitar. Lewis plays auxiliary keyboards as well. On keyboards, is the classically trained Marti Potetz, whose performance on keyboards could be compared to the conduction of a fine-tuned orchestra.  Standing out on bass quietly in the background is Vito Pagliarulo.

 

             The Happening's set list is a true sampling of 60's music through and through, ranging from The Beatles, The Who, The Doors, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, with a few one hit wonders sprinkled through.  They kicked off their 90-minute set list with a nicely done version of "One Man Band".   Stevens and McGrath shared vocals on Sonny and Cher's "The Beat Goes On." 

 

One song that really caught me by surprise was their cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity."  That's not a song easily done by a cover band, but all special effects were covered and awesomely done, including the countdown, which was mastered by Kevin Lewis.  McGrath rocked their version of "Mama told me not to Come".   One of the highlights of their set was their duo of Jefferson Airplane's  "Somebody to Love" and "White Rabbit".  Again, keeping with the experience, this band kicked off the prelude of this song with Vanessa Stevens doing a hypnotic sort of dance during the prelude of "Somebody to Love".  Stevens hit the nail on the head with her Grace Slick-like vocals on those two numbers.

 

The "Tommy Trilogy" of "I'm Free", "Pinball Wizard" and "See Me Feel Me", blew the crowd away, each note was clean, crisp and carried through.

  

            So for all of you who marched on Washington, burned your bra (or your draft card for that matter) and wish to relive your psychedelic experience, check out The Happening. It's worth the trip (no pun intended!)

 

For all other gigs and merchandising, their website is www.happeningrocks.com.