5/17/2013 Jerry Riopelle, Songwriters' Showcase, Tempe Center for the Arts Studio, Tempe, AZ


 8 years ago today...

May 17, 2013 - Tempe, AZ

Recorded for television on PBS, Jerry Riopelle performed and discussed his career for "Songwriters' Showcase" at Tempe Center for the Arts.
Riopelle was a star in Phoenix and Hawaii (!?!?), a regional favorite known for his annual raucous New Years Eve concert parties at Celebrity Theatre. This performance included his long time band including his son, and was filmed before an intimate audience for later playback on KAET-TV8, the local PBS affiliate. He looked good and sounded terrific in the tiny TCA theater.
Along with the ticket, I'm showing the event program and stage setlist. The photo is from a year earlier at his performance at the Arizona State Centennial celebration.
Jerry died from cancer on Christmas Eve 2018. He was scheduled to play his famous New Years show a week later.





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