In Praise of Tribute Bands

I'm dancing and singing to a live version of "Rhiannon." I know every word, note and nuance. I'm close enough to the stage that I can count the fringe hanging off Stevie Nicks' shawl. I'm a teenager again rocking out to my favorite rock goddess.

Only I'm not sixteen; I'm sixty-two. And it's not Stevie Nicks up on the stage, it's Diana Grace as Stevie Nicks. I'm having a wonderful time, and I don't care if it's the real Stevie Nicks or not. Live music has always made me happy and as an older adult, I get that joy wherever I can find it. These days, my happiness is often found at tribute band concerts.

My first music festival was a Day on the Green (DOTG) in 1977. These shows were a series of all-day concerts held at the Oakland Coliseum. I saw several bands including Gary Wright, Peter Frampton and Fleetwood Mac for the staggering price of $12.50.

There was no seating, and I was standing behind a guy holding his halter-top-wearing girlfriend on his shoulders. I was wearing platform shoes but couldn't see a thing. I was blessed when it started to rain, and people ran for shelter. I was able to maneuver my way to the front as Fleetwood Mac took the stage and it was glorious.

Since then, I've seen Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks (solo) and Elton John countless times. I've had once-in-a-lifetime experiences seeing people like Prince, the Blues Brothers, George Harrison and so many others. I have wonderful musical memories that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

I'm older now, and still love live music, but going to concerts is more complicated than it used to be. So, instead, I see tribute bands. Tribute bands let us experience the music of our youth without the stress, expense and hassle of seeing a band charting today.

Tribute bands play songs from a particular musician or group and strive to recreate the sound and the experience of who they're emulating. They've been around since the 1970s and are gaining in popularity.

With names like Earth, Wind, for Hire, The Rolling Clones, Proxy Music, Pseudo Tramp, Bjorn Again and Faux Fighters, it's easy to think of them as novelty acts. However, many of these bands are surprisingly good, and even the bad ones are entertaining.

I mocked tribute bands until I saw The Fab Four.

The Fab Four is more than a tribute band — it's a Beatles show with costume changes, Cockney accents and a special guest appearance by Ed Sullivan. They're known as the best Beatles tribute band, which is saying a lot as The Beatles have the most tribute bands of any group. I smiled through the whole show and by the time it was over, I was sold on tribute bands.

After The Fab Four show, I made it a point to see other tribute bands. When I saw Stevie Nicks Illusion, I was impressed by how Diana Grace became Stevie Nicks without losing herself.  I loved hearing my favorite Stevie Nicks' songs live again without having to pay over $600 per ticket.

Many tribute bands perform at fairs, summer concerts and local events. It's much easier for me to walk down to a park's stage or sit on wooden bleachers than navigate the often-sky-high seating in a large arena theater, knowing that one misstep and I could fall.

There's never a long line for the restrooms, the venues are accessible and no one has ever been so intoxicated that they vomited on my shoe or dumped a beer on me.

Not only is it easier to get around, but these shows are less expensive. The $12.50 I paid for DOTG wouldn't even cover parking for a stadium show today. Concert tickets for currently popular artists are hundreds of dollars, whereas many tribute shows are free with their fee being paid by the venue.

Some groups and singers sound as good as they did in their glory days, but that's not always the case. Artists get bored playing the same songs repeatedly or no longer have the capacity to hit the high notes of their youth. Sometimes a tribute band sounds even better than the original group and there are times that seeing a tribute band is as close as you're going to get to hearing your favorite songs played live due to original members retiring or dying.

I don't want to pay exorbitant prices and be disappointed by a band that has given up or who is only going through the motions to get some cash. I'd rather see a tribute band that clearly loves what they're doing and may even be better than the artists to whom they're paying homage.

Try not to look at tribute bands as fake or faux but instead as a celebration of that person or band. You might be pleasantly surprised. I saw Kenny Metcalf as Elton John this summer and if my eyes had been closed, I would have thought I was seeing Elton himself.

Listening to music is extremely beneficial. Research has shown that music improves language and speech skills, helps with memory, reduces stress and anxiety levels, and can reduce symptoms of dementia. Music is healing and it can help us return to the past and connect to our younger selves.

Tribute bands can easily infuse the power of music into your life with minimal hassle and stress.

For my 63rd birthday, three of my long-time friends and I are seeing Rumours of Fleetwood Mac at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles. This is the only Fleetwood Mac tribute band vetted by Mick Fleetwood.

I can't wait to re-experience what I felt almost fifty years ago — only this time, I'll be in a comfy seat, out of the rain and wearing sensible shoes.