More than 40,000 rock ?n? rollers made their way to Pimlico Race Course on Saturday for this country?s first-ever Virgin Festival, an all-day music event, which was highlighted by appearances by the Red Hot Chili Peppers and 1960s British Invasion pioneers The Who.
So how did Crabtown, of all places, get to host this mammoth rock presentation?
“The people, of course,” said the brains ? and money ? behind the event, Sir Richard Branson, a British entrepreneur and billionaire (Virgin Mobile, Virgin Records, Virgin Airlines, etc.) “I had it on good authority that this city would embrace it.”
And embrace it we did. Many Baltimore baby boomers were seen jamming and dancing with their high-school and college-aged children.
While some concertgoers were disappointed that the crowd fell short of organizers? 60,000 prediction, the 40,000 or so attendees were just enough and didn?t overload the grounds or the concessions. Any more than that would have been too much.
The music started at noon on three stages, so my daughters and their friends were there by 10 a.m. in order to snag a hot spot. Showing our age, my husband and I passed on The Flaming Lips and The New Pornographers, waiting until 6 p.m. to arrive for The Who?s set. Roger Daltry and Pete Townshend may have toned down the on-stage acrobatics, but their vibe was still right on.
I wish I could say the highlight for me was watching hubby Jack rock out to The Who, a band he saw last in the early 1970s. But ? and with no apologies ? it was a peck on the cheek from Sir Richard himself, who congratulated The Examiner for being the first to announce V-Fest?s plans for Baltimore.
So, how was it, going to a rock concert with your parents?
For my 16-year-old daughter Laura, “It was pretty cool, but I wanted to see Dad body surf the crowd.”
For 20-year-old daughter Catie, visiting from Villanova University: “It was the best. I remember all throughout middle school and high school Dad would always have music on the car radio, giving us his views of the talent.”
And for their father, Jack: “I was Catie?s age the last time I saw The Who. I?m thrilled to see my girls inherit a true passion for great music.”
DID YA KNOW?
Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons ought to be taking some of his $4.2 million paycheck to buy a diamond-encrusted glove for his wife, Laura. Saturday against the Twins, Gibbons fouled off a pitch that found its way into the stands ? and into his wife?s ribs. Ouch! Laura?s OK ? just a little bruised.
Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at [email protected] or 410-878-6131.
