Five young musicians (Melina Laganas, Thomas Martin, Thomas Wallace, Adam Lynch and Troy Welling) from School of Rock/Lynn, top, replicate a counterfeit poster promoting the Rolling Stones’ 1966 concert at Manning Bowl.
By Bill Brotherton
LYNN — Did ya hear? The Rolling Stones are playing in Lynn! And the show is free!!
Whoa, hold your (wild) horses. Before you wig out and have a 19th nervous breakdown, let me shine a light on the facts here.
A band of young musicians from School of Rock/Lynn will perform a set of Rolling Stones songs on Saturday, Oct. 1 in Central Square as part of the Downtown Lynn Cultural District’s tenth annual Clock to the Rock 5K road race/celebration. According to Pat Speece, the School of Rock/Lynn’s energetic music director, when the kids finally take the stage, they will have rehearsed together 1½ to 2 hours a week for a total of two months.
Granted, the Stones themselves would be better, but these young “Stones” sound pretty darn good. And they’re sweethearts.
First, a little history: You may recall that on June 24, 1966, — 50 years ago — the Stones performed at Manning Bowl. When Mick Jagger and the boys were halfway through “Lady Jane,” thunderstorms erupted. The band, no doubt worried about jolts of electricity coursing through their emaciated bodies, abruptly left the stage, leaving fans shattered and agitated. Police responded by firing tear gas into the crowd and Brian Jones’ perfectly coiffed hair. Reportedly, the Stones proclaimed that evening that the city of Lynn was dead to them.
In May, Item Publisher Ted Grant, in a Page 1 letter, invited the Stones to return to Lynn to finish the 1966 concert. He offered mind-boggling incentives: $737 in cash, dinner at Rossetti’s and other swell stuff. The ingrates never responded.
(Editor’s note: The Stones have U.S. shows scheduled for October/November and are rumored to be planning a large-scale U.S. tour. In the past, the band has warmed up in small venues — remember St. Morgan’s Cove in Worcester? Hmm. Do ya think?)
A reporter and photographer/videographer are listening to the School of Rock “Stones” roar through “Start Me Up” in a soundproofed room on the second floor of the Lynn Arts building on Exchange Street. Speece excuses himself by announcing, “I’m going to find a stand for the cowbell. You can’t do ‘Honky Tonk’ without a cowbell.”
The setlist for the show is scribbled on a whiteboard in the rehearsal space: “Get Off My Cloud,” “Jumpin Jack Flash,” “Dead Flowers,” “Happy,” “19th Nervous Breakdown,” “Honky Tonk Women,” “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” “Wild Horses.” It is not the exact song list the Stones cut short in 1966, but it’s close. The School of Rock quintet will, appropriately, start the race at 11 a.m. by playing “Start Me Up” and resume playing at 11:45 after the winners have received their trophies.
Melina Laganas, a student at Marblehead Veterans Middle School, will tackle Mick Jagger’s lead vocals. Her voice is remarkably strong and powerful for a 14-year-old. She says her rock music-loving dad, Bill, frequently plays the Stones at home. “Me? I love all music, except country music,” she says, smiling.
Dave Galatis, the general manager of School of Rock/Lynn, says Laganas was invited to Berklee College of Music’s summer program. She was the youngest, by three years, of the 138 kids who participated.
Adam Lynch, 16, a monster bassist, says he is “absolutely familiar” with the Stones, though he prefers jazz, prog rock and funk. The Lynn English High School student, who will add harmony vocals during the Oct. 1 show, adds that Black Sabbath is his favorite band and Jaco Pastorius is his idol.
Thomas Wallace, also a student at English High, will play Keith Richards’ blistering riffs. He is clutching a classic ‘50s-style “surf green” Stratocaster, one of five guitars the 17-year-old owns. He likes playing hard rock (the Stones, Jimi Hendrix) and the blues.
Troy Welling, 16, is a powerhouse drummer, easily up to the task of replicating Charlie Watts’ jazzy rhythm style. The Salem High School student is also a hip-hop producer and a member of Salem-based pop band 43 Church Street. He credits his music teacher Brian Maes for turning him on to all kinds of music.
Thomas Martin, 16, who will handle the Brian Jones/Mick Taylor rhythm guitar duties, says he’s a big classic rock fan. The St. John’s Prep student lists Guns N’ Roses and the Stones as faves.
The Clock to the Rock race begins and ends in Central Square (at the clock). It takes runners from downtown, through the Diamond District/down Lynn Shore Drive (Red Rock Park) and back into the square for an awards ceremony and after-party. In addition to the live music provided by the School of Rock “Stones”, a DJ will be on site. There will also be activities for kids, food trucks, local food vendors and a beer tent operated by Lynn’s Bent Water Brewery. The community is also pitching in. Darren Cyr, Ward 3 city councilor, is lending School of Rock a stage; Bill Laganas is providing lights to showcase the musicians; and Todd Flannery, owner of Flannery’s Handymen, is donating his staff’s time to set it all up.