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After 26 years, Blue Band being inducted in Iowa hall of fame
By LAURA GREVAS, Courier Staff Writer
WATERLOO --- Local legends The Blue Band have gained a huge following over more than two decades of performances, a solid achievement for any rock band.
This year, they'll get the icing on the cake when they are inducted into the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in September.
The Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association honors those who formed or started at least 25 years ago and have made significant contributions to the Iowa music scene. Selection criteria can include opening for national acts, size of tour region, recordings, longevity, cover and original music.
The Blue Band, led by founding member Bob Dorr, has changed members often in its 26-year stint, providing a multi-generational sound that doesn't go unappreciated by its older members.
"It's another one of those affirmations, the next generation going 'Oh yeah, this isn't too bad, we'll play with you guys,'" Dorr said, adding that he attended the University of Northern Iowa with saxophone player Nathan People's father. "For me, it's not so much that you're a really great player but a great human being."
Dorr said his bandmates, including the under-30 crowd, are both. The band has played The Bluestock International Convention and Festival in Memphis and continues to play about 80 to 90 dates a year. These days though, they're taking the future as it comes.
"There used to be three- and five-year plans and now it's just one year at a time," Dorr said.
For at least a few members, this will be their second trip to the Hall of Fame. Blue Band founding member Jeff Petersen was inducted last year for his work with the Headstone Band.
"It's almost an embarassment of riches, being honored two years in a row," Petersen said.
Dorr was inducted in 2000 for more than 30 years of work on KUNI-FM radio.
"Every time has been a fabulous deal for me," he said of his inductions, "As I get older I wonder, 'Should I have done this with my life?' and to get this outside affirmation is fabulous. Really, I can't say enough about the honor."
While Dorr and friends were turning out the tunes, disc jockey and former Waterloo resident George Patrick was busy spinning them. He will be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Blue Band.
Patrick is best known for the Friday night Teen Hops he hosted in the late '50s while he was a DJ at KXEL-AM.
"I don't think any other jock in the state had a record like mine," he said.
In about four years, he entertained more than 140,000 teens at Electric Park Ballroom, and traveled with his mobile DJ station to other areas of Eastern Iowa. He remembers one lucky teen who won a dinner date with Fabian at one of his hops --- a date he chaperoned.
"I bet she would remember it forever," he said.
Another one of his hops featured The Everly Brothers and set an attendence record for Electric Park, 2,000 people, that still stands today.
Patrick also had a daily radio show in which he interviewed the big names in the then-up-and-coming genre of rock 'n' roll.
He later moved on to KCRG in Cedar Rapids.
"I started (in radio) before there was TV," he said.
Patrick worked at the station until he retired in 1984 and spent the following years fulfilling his dream of seeing the country. He has since toured all 50 states and Mexico in his RV.
Contact Laura Grevas at (319) 291-1482 or laura.grevas@wcfcourier.com.
What: Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Induction
When: Sept. 3, 2007
When: Arnolds Park on West Lake Okoboji
Tickets go on sale June 15
For more information, visit www.iowarocknroll.com
This year, they'll get the icing on the cake when they are inducted into the Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in September.
The Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Music Association honors those who formed or started at least 25 years ago and have made significant contributions to the Iowa music scene. Selection criteria can include opening for national acts, size of tour region, recordings, longevity, cover and original music.
The Blue Band, led by founding member Bob Dorr, has changed members often in its 26-year stint, providing a multi-generational sound that doesn't go unappreciated by its older members.
"It's another one of those affirmations, the next generation going 'Oh yeah, this isn't too bad, we'll play with you guys,'" Dorr said, adding that he attended the University of Northern Iowa with saxophone player Nathan People's father. "For me, it's not so much that you're a really great player but a great human being."
Dorr said his bandmates, including the under-30 crowd, are both. The band has played The Bluestock International Convention and Festival in Memphis and continues to play about 80 to 90 dates a year. These days though, they're taking the future as it comes.
"There used to be three- and five-year plans and now it's just one year at a time," Dorr said.
For at least a few members, this will be their second trip to the Hall of Fame. Blue Band founding member Jeff Petersen was inducted last year for his work with the Headstone Band.
"It's almost an embarassment of riches, being honored two years in a row," Petersen said.
Dorr was inducted in 2000 for more than 30 years of work on KUNI-FM radio.
"Every time has been a fabulous deal for me," he said of his inductions, "As I get older I wonder, 'Should I have done this with my life?' and to get this outside affirmation is fabulous. Really, I can't say enough about the honor."
While Dorr and friends were turning out the tunes, disc jockey and former Waterloo resident George Patrick was busy spinning them. He will be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Blue Band.
Patrick is best known for the Friday night Teen Hops he hosted in the late '50s while he was a DJ at KXEL-AM.
"I don't think any other jock in the state had a record like mine," he said.
In about four years, he entertained more than 140,000 teens at Electric Park Ballroom, and traveled with his mobile DJ station to other areas of Eastern Iowa. He remembers one lucky teen who won a dinner date with Fabian at one of his hops --- a date he chaperoned.
"I bet she would remember it forever," he said.
Another one of his hops featured The Everly Brothers and set an attendence record for Electric Park, 2,000 people, that still stands today.
Patrick also had a daily radio show in which he interviewed the big names in the then-up-and-coming genre of rock 'n' roll.
He later moved on to KCRG in Cedar Rapids.
"I started (in radio) before there was TV," he said.
Patrick worked at the station until he retired in 1984 and spent the following years fulfilling his dream of seeing the country. He has since toured all 50 states and Mexico in his RV.
Contact Laura Grevas at (319) 291-1482 or laura.grevas@wcfcourier.com.
What: Iowa Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Induction
When: Sept. 3, 2007
When: Arnolds Park on West Lake Okoboji
Tickets go on sale June 15
For more information, visit www.iowarocknroll.com
More Stories from Pulse » Coverstory
dorr wrote on Jan 25, 2007 8:43 PM:
" You don't think that I could have told the story of The Blue Band to a reporter of a prestigious publication without talking of Molly Nova do ya? But I don't actually WRITE the article. I thought Laura did a fabulous job with the limited number of words that space allowed, talking to the two remaining band members who actually live in The Courier's distribution area (and subscribe to The Courier!) I was really happy to see that Jeff Petersen was part of the article because without him, Bob Dorr nor Molly Nova would never have experienced the success we did. I'm hoping Ms. Nova chooses to join The Blue Band for our induction, so she can enjoy the recognition and honor that The Iowa Rock'n'Roll Music Association is giving to us. See ya in Okoboji on Sept. 2! BTW, Mol hasn't checked in lately, what/where/how's she doin' anyway?
PS: as someone who was honored with induction into this Hall of Fame for my radio work, it was great to read that Rock'n'Roll radio pioneer George Patrick is getting his "props" this year! "
soon to be bald guy wrote on Jan 25, 2007 11:40 PM:
" Amen to that bald guy, but you should know by now it has really always been Bob Dorr's Blue Band....he has always stirred the drink of success while footing the bill to make careers extended for many great players from the area, though without Molly and a host of others would the band appear in the Iowa Rock 'N Roll Hall Of Fame bestowing this honor. We can only hope Molly, Turk, Bunky,Bobby Thompson, Bryce (drummer, Magerall, Phil, and all other notable contributors to the Blue Bands successful run are included and honored for their service.CONGRATS to Bob Dorr & and all your present and past members! "
Wally The Gator Rassler wrote on Feb 2, 2007 4:15 PM:
" Old Bald Dude,
I think he did. Twice, the reporter just didn't have space for his first mention. Molly was and is truly phenomenal but the duo of Jeff and Bob were never destined to be "just another blues band." They have had and do have some great players around them and that is why hordes of blue buddies have followed them over the full 26 years. I dig their gigs now as much as I did in the early 80’s.
"
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old bald dude wrote on Jan 25, 2007 6:03 PM: