Guitarist Billy Franze dueled with Prince onstage, and so much more, in his 72 years
WORTH KNOWING: A fixture in the Twin Cities music scene for more than four decades, Franze s eager, workman approach to performing and his all-out omnipresence in local venues that many friends remember. Franze died April 27 at age 72.
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Chris Riemenschneider / Star Tribune | 10:00 am, May 10, 2021 ×
Billy Franze blazed through another Dr. Mambo s Combo gig at Bunkers in Minneapolis in 2017. (Carlos Gonzalez/Minneapolis Star Tribune/TNS)
Editor s note: Each week we share the life stories of residents of Minnesota or the Dakotas who have died recently. Maybe you don t know them, but their stories are worth knowing. If you have a suggestion for someone to be featured, email mguerry@forumcomm.com or call 651-321-4314.
4 Twin Cities venues are getting an early jump on outdoor concerts Still leery of indoor crowds, these four Twin Cities clubs are getting a jump on summer. April 29, 2021 11:03am Text size Copy shortlink:
Even though his nationally reputed watering hole was shuttered last spring and again all winter by COVID-19, Palmer s Bar owner Tony Zaccardi considers himself one of the lucky ones. We just so happen to have this big, amazing patio, Zaccardi said. It d be a waste not to use it for something good.
That something is live music.
Sensing pandemic-weary music fans desperate urge to get out and rock out, Palmer s is among a handful of Twin Cities venues getting an early jump on the (hopefully) warmer weather by hosting outdoor gigs starting now, or very soon.
Galactic Cowboy Orchestra coming to Holmes Theatre on Saturday
Live music will once again be filling the environs of Detroit Lakes Historic Holmes Theatre this Saturday, April 17, at 7:30 p.m. The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will be making its first appearance at the local venue since 2012. 7:07 am, Apr. 13, 2021 ×
The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra includes (left to right) Dan Neale (guitars, vocals), Lisi Wright (violin, vocals), Mario Dawson (drums) and John Wright (bass, vocals). The foursome will perform live at Detroit Lakes Historic Holmes Theatre this Saturday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Theatre seating is limited due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, though live streaming is also available. (Submitted photo)
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Mick Sterling may be the most determined force on the Minnesota music scene during the pandemic.
For the second consecutive year, he is producing a series of outdoor drive-in concerts starring Minnesota musicians in a Burnsville parking lot, it was announced on Monday. And Relief Sessions 2021 is more ambitious, with themed weekends featuring three to five shows per day. More than 80 acts are booked.
The series is slated to run from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, in other words May 28 to Sept. 6. All but one weekend will be staged at the Burnsville Ice Center parking lot; the other concerts will be held in Rosemount s Central Park.
Cate Fierro has one of the strongest voices to hit the Twin Cities music scene. She is one of the lead singers in THE IRRESISTIBLES, a soul R&B Band led by legendary and award winning frontman, Mick Sterling also performing in MICK STERLING & HIS BAND and enjoys their newest project, A Band Called SOUL. She has her own band, THE CATE FIERRO BAND and performs acoustically with Joshua Stigen.