Red Lion Inn Reunion, Champaign, IL - Wish I could attend.

[BruceM]

https://www.facebook.com/RedLionInnReunion/

This was my stomping grounds during my college days at UIUC from 74-78. Lots of good pics in the facebook post, but I especially like the old pics of Slink Rand sporting his Flying V in front of a Marshall stack, and the poster featuring Head East and Cheap Trick. I saw Cheap Trick and the Ramones there back in the day, but I would guess I saw the Slink Rand Group more times than anyone else in that venue. They were definitely a majore influence during my formative music years. Good times, good times.

 

[Willie G. Moseley]

I was stationed in Rantoul in 1970, went to C-U a lot. First time I ever saw Woodstock and, uh, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls was at movie houses there. In addition to the Red Lion, clubs I hit included the Chances R and the Little Brown Jug. Airmen like us stood out on accounta we were skinheads with tie-dyed t-shirts.

"You guys always used to be easy to spot from the stage," Gary Richrath told me when I interviewed him in the early '90s. REO formed in that community, and IIRC other circuit bands (some of which came along after I left) reportedly would have included the Coachmen (w/ Dan Fogelberg), Fuse (pre-CT), the Butterfield Blues Band, Baby Huey & the Babysitters, and the Flock.

But the band I remember most was the Guild, a very good club band. Outstanding covers of Thunderclap Newman's "Something in the Air" as well as Eddie Cochran's "C'mon Everybody" (they kinda gave a nod to NRBQ's cover).

[tomteriffic]

Bruce, while you were prowling around Champaign, I was doing the same in Evanston, up and down Lincoln Avenue and Clark Streets in Chicago with occasional forays into the 'burbs.  That's where I saw Slink Rand a number of times.  Other highlights included Cheap Trick, just as they were starting to take off, Duke Tumatoe (my wife has one of his drummer's kits, he keeps trying to buy it back) and Shy Rhythm, who eventually morphed into Survivor.  Also saw any number of great folkies during that time.

[BubbaVO]

What was the address of the red lion back then?  I was there from '84-'88.  

[stobro]

It was at the corner of Second and Green. I grew up in C-U from '67 to '82. The Red Lion was the top spot for live bands. Other places I remember from that era include Panama Red's, Mabel's and, away from campus town, Studio One in downtown Champaign. The band I played bass for in the early '80s used to gig at Studio One quite often.

[Bluesking]

I'm local - may have to attend this one. I spent half the 80s trying to sneak into Mabels, so I missed the Lion era by a few years. CU had a fab music scene for almost 3 decades. 

[vicjoy1945]

I believe there's a Red Lion once again in Champaign...but not as remembered by our bretheren.

[BubbaVO]

14 hours ago, Bluesking said:

I'm local - may have to attend this one. I spent half the 80s trying to sneak into Mabels, so I missed the Lion era by a few years. CU had a fab music scene for almost 3 decades. 

Mabels...wow...now you're firing up the memory bank:

But I don't remember the Red Lion. 

[BruceM]

I couldn't resist taking this picture last summer when I went to pick up my nephew during his campus visit last summer.

 

[ScottM]

Champaign's music scene was pretty incredible in the late 70's and early 80's when I was there. Wish I could attend the reunion. Free cover and $1 pitchers Sunday through Thursday made for many late night music ventures. Slink was definitely the best cover band you could see there. Ramones at Red Lion was a show for the ages. Cheap Trick at Chances R. Iggy Pop at Mabels even! Wishbone Ash at some weird joint that used to be Penney's downtown. Saw a bunch of great shows there...

[BubbaVO]

On September 9, 2016 at 8:57 AM, BruceM said:

I couldn't resist taking this picture last summer when I went to pick up my nephew during his campus visit last summer.

 

That looks like green st.  But I don't remember that sign