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“Happy Together Tour” billed as “an outrageous concert”
CANFIELD
Sisters Karen Love and Beverly Moreno were “so happy” to be seeing The Turtles – together – at the Canfield Fair grandstand Wednesday night.
The Turtles headlined the concert as part of the “Happy Together Tour” – billed as “an outrageous concert” – that also features The Association, former Paul Revere & the Raiders lead singer Mark Lindsay, The Grass Roots, The Buckinghams and The Cowsills.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the show wasn’t quite sold out. Love and Moreno, both of the Cleveland area, didn’t take any chances, however – they bought their tickets months ago.
For them, it’s not just about the music. It’s a chance to – for a few hours, at least – go back in time.
“I grew up in that era,” said Love, who’s 56. “That was our generation.”
“It’s like reliving our youth. We had a wonderful youth, and it just brings back sweet memories. I feel like we’re in our teens again,” said Moreno, who, hours before the concert, was giddy with excitement.
George Roman III, who is in charge of advertising and grandstand attractions for the fair, said he expects a lot of people from the generation that grew up listening to music in the 1960s to be in the crowd, but also for some younger people to come to the event.
“I think it’s going to be a good mixture. Everybody loves The Turtles,” he said of the 1960s rock group whose hits include a cover version of Bob Dylan’s “It Ain’t Me Babe” and “Happy Together.”
“I’m looking forward to it, too. This is a group from the era when I was growing up,” he said. “It’ll bring back some good memories for everybody.”
Moreno – who attended a “Happy Together” tour concert a few years ago – recalls listening to the same groups during a different era, when you couldn’t simply select and listen to the song you want to hear. She remembers the wear and tear her radio sustained from times when she and her siblings would tune in for hours, hoping to catch one of their favorite songs.
“It’s just a riot to hear this live. The best we had at that time was 45 [RPM] records and the radio,” Love said.
“We’re definitely going to be singing along – loudly! Like everyone else,” she said.
The fair has grandstand attractions planned for each day. Other music acts include country group The Band Perry at 8 p.m. today and Christian group Mercy Me on Sunday.
For tickets, visit the box office at the fairgrounds or www.canfieldfair.com.