“50 Years Ago Today” at Brown County Music Center: Review and Photos

The “50 Years Ago Today” concert at the Brown County Music Center in Nashville, Indiana, was a delightful blend of nostalgia and musical excellence. The concept of the show was created by Todd Rundgren, who envisioned a tribute to The Beatles’ iconic “Let It Be” and “Hey Jude” albums. This season, the main performers included Christopher Cross, Maxi Priest, and Jason Scheff.

Unfortunately, two of the members were sick, which meant the show wasn’t strictly a Beatles tribute. Despite this, the performers delivered an unforgettable experience, blending Beatles classics with their own hits. The audience was treated to a mix of nostalgia and fresh interpretations, making for a memorable evening.

Performers’ Bios and Band Histories

Christopher Cross

He burst onto the music scene with his 1980 self-titled debut album, winning five Grammy Awards, including the prestigious “Big Four” awards: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. His hits include “Sailing,” “Ride Like the Wind,” and “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” Cross’s smooth vocals and sophisticated ballads have made him a staple in the adult contemporary genre.

Maxi Priest

He is known for his reggae fusion style, blending reggae with R&B influences. Priest’s career began with the South London reggae soundsystem Saxon Studio International. His breakthrough came with his 1988 album “Maxi,” which featured the hit cover of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World”. Priest has enjoyed international success with hits like “Close to You” and “That Girl,” a duet with Shaggy.

Jason Scheff

He is best known for being the frontman for the rock band Chicago from 1985 to 2016, replacing Peter Cetera. Scheff’s lead vocals debuted on the 1986 single “25 or 6 to 4,” and he co-wrote several of Chicago’s hits, including “What Kind of Man Would I Be?”. His tenure with Chicago solidified his reputation as a talented musician and vocalist.

Darin Murphy, guitar

Stefano Intelisano, keyboards

Doug Yowell, Drummer

Wayne Avers, guitar

Priest did most of the heavy lifting on the Beatles tunes, but everyone on the stage is an extremely talented musician.

Because of the lineup changes, there was a slight departure from the Beatles, as Christopher Cross performed a couple of his own songs, Maxi Priest also performed a couple of his songs, but not Housecall (my personal favorite). The highlight was a blistering couple of songs with Wayne Avers and Jason Scheff performing Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4”, and keyboardist Stefano Intelisano beautifully mimicked the horn section with his synthesizer. Fabulous!

Despite the unexpected changes, the “50 Years Ago Today” concert maintained its charm and left the audience in very high spirits, celebrating the enduring legacy of The Beatles and the versatility of the artists involved.

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