8/17/2017 Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, AZ


 4 years ago today...

August 17, 2017 - Phoenix, AZ 

Local musicians and the evening's venue were inducted into the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Celebrity Theatre.
Arizona's musical royalty was in the house and on the stage for this evening of tributes, honors and live music. Inductees this year were Tempe's Gin Blossoms, guitarist and Scottsdale resident Nils Loftgren from the E Street Band, grunge rockers Meat Puppets and Celebrity Theatre, the historic venue offering "rockin' in the round" from a revolving stage.
Each honoree had its moment in the spotlight. Loftgren's solo guitar work was impressive and Gin Blossoms played an energetic set of their jangly radio catalog. I can recall many weeknight sets from the Blossoms at Long Wongs, a revered Mill Avenue bar and wing joint that laid the roots for "the Tempe sound." From these humble beginnings, the band went on to rock radio fame and were offered $1 million to regroup after a breakup to play the Year 2000 New Year's Eve Party in downtown Phoenix.
Celebrity Theatre, built in 1963, was tonight's host and honored in a video presentation that I had a small role in. CT, frequently referenced in TSTT, is now on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to present shows.

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