Mark Farner And Rick Derringer Join HippieFest

Let your freak flag fly!

Although it’s been almost 45 years since the Hippie movement began, there’s been an annual concert event since 2005 that celebrates the music of the era and the lifestyle revolution it represented – HIPPIEFEST.

This summer will mark the sixth year of HIPPIEFEST which will feature artists who first achieved stature in the decade that expressed peace, love and happiness.

Hang your fear at the door and join the future.

Make love, not war.

Born to be wild.

Go ask Alice.

Beginning August 3rd in San Diego, California (call it “California Dreamin'”), “flower power” returns for at least twenty dates with some of the biggest names of the sixties and seventies including Dave Mason (Traffic), Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad), Rick Derringer, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals and Gary Wright comprising this year’s incredible HIPPIEFEST line-up (see full itinerary below).

Dave Mason — who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as co-founder and original member of Traffic in 2004 — will be bringing his guitar and performing hits from Traffic along with those from his impressive solo career. As the guitarist, a vocalist and one of the principal songwriters for the band Traffic, Mason penned one of the band’s first and biggest hits, “Hole In My Shoe,” which appeared on their first album in 1967. The following year, the band would release their self-titled second album that would contain another classic hit by Dave called, “Feelin’ Alright,” that would eventually be covered by several artists including Grand Funk Railroad, Joe Cocker and Three Dog Night among others. In 1970, he would have his first taste of solo success with the song, “Only You Know and I Know.” In 1977, Dave would have his biggest hit with “We Just Disagree,” which would reach #12 on the Billboard charts. Over the years, Dave has performed and recorded with some of rock’s greatest musicians including Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones (Beggars Banquet), Eric Clapton, George Harrison (All Things Must Pass), Paul McCartney (“Listen to What the Man Said”), Fleetwood Mac, Cass Elliot and Jimi Hendrix. If you listen closely to “All Along The Watchtower,” that’s Dave on acoustic guitar.

Shortly after its formation in 1969, Grand Funk Railroad lead singer and guitarist Mark Farner took his American band to the heights of success. They would release their first album titled, On Time, in August of that year and follow it four months later with the release of their second album, Grand Funk. In 1970, Closer to Home — featuring Mark’s song, “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home) — would be released and the band would go on to sell more albums that year than any other American band. As the lead singer, guitarist and writer for the majority of their material, Farner and company would sell out New York’s Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles in 1971. From 1969 to 1974, the band would release nine consecutive studio albums that would go gold or better (five reaching platinum status). With hits such as “We’re An American Band” (which would hit #1 on the Billboard charts on Mark’s 25th birthday in September, 1973), “Walk Like A Man,” “The Loco-Motion,” “Shinin’ On,” “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “Bad Time” among others, the band fortified itself in rock history. Since his days with Grand Funk, Mark has continued to perform with his solo band throughout the world. In the mid-90’s, Mark would join Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band for two consecutive tours. He rejoined Grand Funk for a brief stint in the late 90’s, before continuing on with his solo career.

It’s doubtful that anyone will be sitting in their seats when Rick Derringer breaks into his well-known rock anthem, “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo.” The song continues to be a staple on rock radio and was featured in several movies including The Spirit of ’76, Rush, Stag, What A Girl Wants and the cult classic, Dazed and Confused. It’s a little known fact that years before his success as a solo artist, Rick had a band at the age of 17 called The McCoys that had a #1 hit in 1965 called, “Hang on Sloopy.” The song would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by The Beatles’ “Yesterday.” A year after its release, The McCoys would find themselves as the openers for the entire Rolling Stones American tour. Although written and recorded a few years earlier, Rick released his most famous version of the song in 1974 and never looked back… In 1977, he would appear on the last Led Zeppelin North American Tour. In the years to follow, Rick would perform with such artists as Alice Cooper (“Under My Wheels”), Steely Dan (“Show Biz Kids” and “Chained Lightning”), KISS, Todd Rundgren, Edgar Winter, Johnny Winter and Weird Al Yankovic among others. From 1986 to 1992, Rick would tour with Cindy Lauper and co-write a song from her True Colors album titled, “Calm Inside The Storm.” Before embarking on this year’s Hippiefest tour, Rick will be in Europe with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band.

Felix Cavaliere of the Rascals also has an incredible catalog of popular songs to choose from… As the vocalist and keyboard player for the group Steven Van Zandt called, “the first rock band in the world” (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in May of 1997), Cavaliere and the (Young) Rascals had three number one hits — “Good Lovin’,” “Groovin’ ” and “People Got To Be Free” — among several Top 20 classics as “A Girl Like You,” “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long,” “You Better Run,” “It’s Wonderful,” “A Beautiful Morning” and “How Can I Be Sure” (the latter two of which were Top 5). He sang vocals on six of the band’s successful singles. Throughout the seventies, Felix would release a handful of solo albums and, in 1980, would score a Top 40 solo hit with “Only A Lonely Heart Sees.” In June 2009, Felix was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame with former writing partner and Rascals bandmate Eddie Brigati. Last year, all four members of the Rascals reconvened for a benefit performance held in New York. He’s continued to tour over the years, most recently as Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, who will be appearing at this year’s Hippiefest.

Although he’s probably best known for his massive hit, “Dream Weaver,” Gary Wright originally hit the popular music scene as the singer and keyboard player for the band Spooky Tooth in 1967. In 1970, he would perform at the famous Isle of Wight festival as a member of another band called Howl the Good. Prior to the breakup of Spooky Tooth in 1974, Gary was invited to perform piano on George Harrison’s solo classic, All Things Must Pass. In 1975, Gary released his first solo album “The Dream Weaver” featuring the singles, “Dream Weaver” and “Love is Alive,” both of which would hit the #2 position on the Billboard charts and remain classic rock radio mainstays until this very day. “Dream Weaver” would sell over a million copies shortly after its release and go on to be prominently featured in three major movies including Wayne’s World, The People vs. Larry Flynt and Toy Story 3. In 1981, Gary would achieve his third big hit with the release of “Really Wanna Know You.” Since 2008, Gary has toured with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. Most recently, Gary released an album titled, Connected, featuring such musicians as Ringo Starr, Joe Walsh and Jeff “Skunk” Baxter.

HIPPIEFEST will be one hit right after another providing the ultimate spectacle of music that has spanned the generations meant for all to enjoy.

Bring your parents, your grandparents and bring the kids!

The Miami Herald summed it nicely a few years back by stating that HIPPIEFEST is “A taste of Woodstock without the mud and bad acid.”

Newsday commented that it was “Guaranteed to get boomers misty-eyed enough to fog up their bifocals.”

The New York Post said, “No shoes, no shirt, no problem.”

Put on your best tie-dye, hop in your VW Van and head to HIPPIEFEST where you’ll be able to unleash the Hippie within…

Where else can you “freak freely” in 2011?

“I’m really looking forward to headlining Hippiefest this year. I’m going to get to

many areas where I haven’t played for a while. It’s a great show for the fans, too,

with Felix Cavaliere, Gary Wright, Mark Farner and Rick Derringer.

A great night with lots of hits!”

–Dave Mason–

“I’m geeked about doing Hippiefest this year and can’t wait to rock

this country and bring back some good memories for our fans!”

–Mark Farner–

“I am humbly looking forward to the upcoming Hippiefest concerts.

To share the stage with such a legendary, talented roster of

entertainers is truly a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

What A Show!”

–Rick Derringer–

“This year, I am really looking forward to touring with,

and playing for, some of my dearest friends. We are ready to rock!

We’re gonna rock together for America!”

–Felix Cavaliere–

“I’m very much looking forward to being on the Hippiefest this summer.

Especially playing again with Dave Mason, who I used to tour quite a bit with

in the 70’s. I’ve also been a fan of Felix Cavaliere – especially the Rascal’s music.

Rick Derringer and I will be coming off the Ringo Europe tour this summer, so

we’ll continue working side-by-side. He’s such a great guitarist. Mark Farner worked

together with me while I was in Spooky Tooth, so that should be fun as well.

It’s going to be a great summer.”

–Gary Wright–