Nostalgia reigned Friday as rockers Eddie Money and Loverboy gave concert-goers a trip back to the 1970s and '80s during the third night of Corn Palace Festival entertainment.
Gray hair and jeans were in style as moms and dads got down with the music that launched the MTV era. A quarter century evaporated for an appreciative audience that was transported to simpler times. A few beers didn't hurt, either.
Corn Palace Director Mark Schilling said about 1,500 turned out for the rock show with a paid attendance of 1,227. Loverboy made it big in the 1980s, while Eddie Money was at his peak in the late 1970s and throughout the '80s.
"Tonight, it was all about folks relieving their youth and having a good time," said Schilling.
And they did.
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Loverboy --"26 years in the making"-- led off the split concert bill.
Lead singer Mike Reno, with trademark sweatband bandana and shades, cranked through old hits like "Turn Me Loose," and a solid "The Kid is Hot Tonight." Reno's voice occasionally strained but his high-pitched squeals were still impressive. By the time the band signed off, a few lit cell phones were being waved and Bics were being flicked.
Eddie Money didn't make it on stage until nearly 9 p.m., but it was clear that this was the act that many awaited. Folks rushed to the standing-room-only mosh pit before the stage.
Money loved it and he launched his set with a crowd-pleasing "Two Tickets to Paradise." Money enjoyed the crowd and they enjoyed him.
"I don't care," he said. "I love the '80s and I love you guys."
Lance McQueen, of Mitchell, a Money fan, enjoyed the combo show.
"They're totally '80s," he said, "and shows like this are a good thing for Mitchell."
Don McClain of Salem also enjoyed the show and said of Loverboy, "I listened to them back in my day."
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Sue Strangway, of Detroit, Mich., in town with friends for a motorcycle rally, couldn't believe her good fortune in hitting Mitchell during Corn Palace Festival. "This is all fabulous," she said. "I've always wanted to see the Corn Palace."
Schilling said at least 2,500 tickets have been sold for tonight's Trace Adkins concert and just about all upper section seating is gone. There are still main floor tickets for sale, for those who don't mind standing. The show starts at 7 p.m.
More than 2,500 tickets have been sold for Sunday's Raven Symone show, which starts at 5 p.m. Schilling said the popular teen show could be a sellout.
"It will be a great finish to a great festival," he said.
