Reock & Roll Revue Set for MCCC's Kelsey Theatre, 3/7-8

It's 1971 and a humanitarian crisis is overwhelming Bangladesh. Enter George Harrison and Friends with the groundbreaking "Concert for Bangladesh." Reock & Roll Revue, led by keyboard player Tom Reock, returns to Mercer County Community College's (MCCC's) Kelsey Theatre to recreate that golden moment in rock history with a new stage presentation of the classic album. The group will perform two shows only: Saturday, March 7 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 8 at 2 p.m. Kelsey Theatre is conveniently located on the college's West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.

Reock notes that though not a traditional classic rock album, the concert was truly historic as the very first benefit event of its kind. "It was the springboard and blueprint for many benefit concerts over the next 50 years," he said. "The enormity of this show has faded somewhat, but it is not forgotten. It is one of the most legendary shows in rock and roll history," Reock maintains.

The concert will feature music from a lineup of superstars including Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan, as well as some newcomers at the time such as Billy Preston and Leon Russell, whose performances propelled them to stardom. Much of the material hails from George Harrison's first post-Beatles album, "All Things Must Pass," along with selections from Ringo Starr and a very rare acoustic set from Bob Dylan.

This Reock & Roll Revue concert will bring together 12 performers including Mario DiBartolo and Jerry Steele on electric guitars, Michael White and Marty Paglione on drums and percussion, Brian T. Leahy, Tom Reock and Bud Belviso on keyboards, Lisa Bouchelle and Sandy Zio on backup vocals, HAl Jordan Ketofsky on bass guitar, and Joe Grillo and Eddie Mendez on horns. An opening set of Indian music will feature Sitar music from Raghu Rao.

The performance will be augmented with historical details and short video clips about the original concert and those who made it happen.

Reock & Roll Revue has been presenting classic album performances at Kelsey Theatre since 2008, including The Beatles' "White Album," The Who's "Quadrophenia," Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's "Déjà vu," The Allman Brothers' "Eat a Peach," The Band's "Music from Big Pink," and Eric Clapton's "Journeyman." The concerts have been well received, with sellout crowds typical and several encores standard. DVDs of previous concerts can be purchased in the Kelsey Theatre lobby.

Tickets are $25 for all and are available online at www.kelseytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 609-570-3333. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking available next to the theater. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey webpage or call the box office for a brochure.

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