Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert – Koka Booth Ampitheatre in Cary, North Carolina

Brian Mullins — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:46:34 +0000

This weekend I had the distinct pleasure of photographing the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame benefit concert. Held in partnership with the John Entwhistle foundation, the concert featured many new & classic acts over a 2 day period. I can’t name all of the artists and bands who attended, but some notable name are:

Jefferson Starhip
Dennis Deyoung (Lead vocalist of Styx)
Joe Lynn Turner (Lead vocalist of Deep Purple)
Buck Dharma (Lead vocalist of Blue Oyster Cult)
Mark Farner & Jack Bruce of Cream

Unfortunately I missed the Connells, who I listed to for quite some time before and after their national success, but the show was not a disappoinment at all. Also being a Styx fan, I found myself taking blurry shots of Dennis DeYoung due to my sub-conscious grooving to the music. He may be a bit older now, but he still puts on one heck of a show. Joe Lynn Turner, Buck Dharma and Jack Bruce closed out the evening with short sets of their music. It was really a rare sight to have so much talent present on any stage, much less in a more intimate venue.

My hats off to the promoters and everyone who worked to get this show into the Koka Booth Ampitheatre.

Duran Duran & Your Vegas – Koka Booth Ampitheatre – Cary, NC

Brian Mullins — Thu, 22 May 2008 06:15:24 +0000

There’s alot of people that think photography is a glamorous job and we do nothing but mingle with celebrities and drink champagne. Well, usually there’s nothing farther from the truth but tonight was a little different. I was asked to cover Duran Duran’s concert for a local publication and I jumped at the chance. I grew up listening to their music and watching their videos so it was a real treat to get to see them in concert (Before you ask, no, I didn’t meet them, get backstage, raid the craft table or any other things like that). They performed at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary with Your Vegas opening for them. A quick sidenote, Your Vegas is just starting to tour in the US and have a great sound. I know their album just released and I recommend you take a listen – I think these guys will do quite well here.

Overall I really enjoyed the show and while I wasn’t familiar with their newer sound – which is heavily influenced by a techno-house vibe – it was great to hear a mix of older and newer stuff. Kudos to Cary for bringing in such a well-known band.. they definitely put on a great show and their fans are just as rabid today as they were back in the 80’s (with screams of “I love you Simon!!!” just behind me).

So without further ado, here’s a few photos. Special thanks to Kat, Allison & Theresa for coordinating my presence.

» Concert Photography

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert – Koka Booth Ampitheatre in Cary, North Carolina

Duran Duran & Your Vegas – Koka Booth Ampitheatre – Cary, NC