14/07/2013 00:00
TW
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by Ryan Harrison
PALMA will be rocking 'n' souling to the sound of the Blues Brothers tonight as the legendary American act swings into town on its latest European tour. Members of the original band featured in the Blues Brothers films will play to a packed Son Moix stadium with classic numbers like Everybody, Gimme Some Lovin and Knock on Wood. Steve ‘The Colonel' Cropper, 63, who appeared in both the 80s' version and 2000 remake of the film, spoke to the Bulletin yesterday about the concert. “We've got songs from everything we've done over the years. Opening the show with Going back to Miami, She Caught Katie and Gimme Some Lovin'. “Half way through, the great Eddie Floyd comes on stage and plays his Knock on Wood and 6, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9,”.
The band, whose members boast ‘we've lasted longer than the Beatles‘ , is currently on its summer tour.
After 17 years on the road with this band it seems the buzz of live events is what keeps Steve going. ”Yeh, it's a pretty good feeling. The travelling sucks, but playing live makes it all worth while. It feels the same as it did all those years ago when the first film came out,” he added. With it being the 25th Anniversary of the first Blues Brothers film Steve, who will be 64 in October, said the crowd can expect the classics from the original film as well as new songs from the 2000 version. Tracks like Big Bird, Soul Man, Flip Flop Fly, Who's Making Love amongst others. The band boasts four members who appeared in both films, Steve, Alan Rubin on trumpet, Leon Vendarus on keyboards and Eric Edel on bass guitar. Leon Vendarus has also been the Musical Director for the American show Saturday Night Live. About playing in Spain and Europe Steve said: “I was a little surprised by the support we get over here. The crowds are always big, but there is such a mix. From the youngsters who have just seen the movies to the older ones who have heard us through the years. “I've found that people here are more into us as individuals. In the States they seem only interested in what you've done in the last few years.” Steve is the producer and author of over 400 songs and has collaborated with legends like Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Booker T. Jones. In 1992, Cropper and the MGs were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The current Blues Brothers band will continue its European tour throughout the summer and there will be a Special Edition DVD released featuring unseen footage from the two Blues Brothers films to celebrate the 25th Anniversary.