The 2008 Flower Power Concert Series Review/Info Thread

[DenverDave]

The Flower Power Concert Series is a fun part of Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival (March 19 thru June 1). Featuring mostly classic rock and roll artists from the 1960's and 70's, the concerts are both nostalgic and entertaining.

They take place each evening of the Festival at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot's World Showcase, right across from the American Adventure Pavilion. Show times are 5:45pm, 7:00pm & 8:15pm nightly. Admission is free and first come, first served.

A schedule of the 2008 concerts is below. The purposes of this thread are to allow people to post reviews of the performers, to report on how crowded the performances were, and to pass along any other info which might be of interest. How long the admission lines are and when it was necessary to line up to get a good seat (or get a seat at all) are frequently asked questions.

And - how about posting some photos of the artists? That would be much appreciated.

So - let's have those reviews please! They will be of interest to all of us who will be heading to Epcot in the next few months or in years to come (many of the artists return yearly).

March 19 - 22: The Guess Who
March 23 - 24: Petula Clark
March 25 - 29: Paul Revere and the Raiders
March 30 - 31: The Fifth Dimension
April 1 - 3: The Nelsons
April 4 - 5: Jay Black
April 6 - 9: Herman's Hermits starring Peter Noone
April 10 - 12: Grass Roots
April 13 - 16: The Happenings
Apirl 17 - 18: Peter & Gordon
April 19 - 23: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
April 24 - 26: The Ventures
April 27 - 30: B.J. Thomas
May 1 - 3: Arlo Guthrie
May 4 - 5: The Searchers
May 6 - 10: The Tokens
May 11 - 15: Davy Jones
May 16 - 17: Jose Feliciano
May 18 - 20: Felix Cavaliere's Rascals
May 21 - 24: Gary Puckett
May 25 - 27: The Cowsills
May 28 - June 1: Tony Orlando

 

[carlyle688]

I'll be there tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Daisie]

I'm leaving tomorrow and plan to catch a showing of the guess who!! I just loves those songs!!
I will report back next week!!

 

[DisneyFan83]

I won't be going until May 8-15th, but we're going to see Davy Jones, so I'll review after we get back

 

[DOOM1001]

Is Paul Revere and the Raiders a good act,my seasonal pass has me blacked out until March 28 but I've heard they're pretty good but I can still catch them on the 29th which is their last day.I'll be there for Peter Noone,Starship,Jay Black and maybe a couple others but I was wondering if I should try to fit in a trip for Paul Revere.

 

[TYMAN]

The Tokens were great last year, can't wait to see them on May 8th!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Is Paul Revere and the Raiders a good act (snip) but I was wondering if I should try to fit in a trip for Paul Revere.

Paul Revere is worth seeing at least once. He has a lot of fun while he performs. He has a Ford Mustang Front Keyboard, and various props.

You most likely will remember a lot of their songs too.......

 

[BabyPiglet]

I'm very interested in Petula Clark. Can't wait to see how it goes!

 

[Otter49]

I'm very interested in Petula Clark. Can't wait to see how it goes!

I'll give Petula Clark props for being willing to go out on stage in her 70s - but that said, every vocalist is going to reach that point where a graceful retirement is the best option. She's past that point.

Her performance last year was a bit embarrassing and cringe-inducing.

Paul Revere is terrific - has a lot of fun at his own expense and does about 40 minutes of good music and corny humor.

Guess Who? Love this act, even though the bass player is the only original member left.

Jose Feliciano - fantastic. We'll be going to all six performances, he rarely repeats a song.

Oops - seriously OT, aren't I? Posting reviews of last year. Sorry

 

[KevGuy]

I'll be there for April 19 - 23: Starship starring Mickey Thomas and will post a review when I get back!

 

[DenverDave]

Is Paul Revere and the Raiders a good act,my seasonal pass has me blacked out until March 28 but I've heard they're pretty good but I can still catch them on the 29th which is their last day.I'll be there for Peter Noone,Starship,Jay Black and maybe a couple others but I was wondering if I should try to fit in a trip for Paul Revere.

I saw Paul Revere a couple years ago and loved them. Paul is very funny and entertaining and they sing their many big hit songs. We saw 5-6 of their shows over two days - they were great. Their version of the Animals "We Gotta Get Out of This Place" brought down the house - hope they are still doing it. No Mark Lindsay, but I vote for seeing them if you can make it!

 

[DenverDave]

Some advice based on seeing quite a few shows over the past few years.

Don't necessarily avoid performers who were "One Hit Wonders". They sometimes put on a great show. An example is The Tokens (coming up May 6-10). They only had one big hit, the classic "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", but put on a very entertaining show - quite personable guys and excellent musicians. And - of course getting to actually hear the Tokens singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is something you can tell your grandkids about - a real Disney Magic moment.

 

[TYMAN]

Some advice based on seeing quite a few shows over the past few years.

Don't necessarily avoid performers who were "One Hit Wonders". They sometimes put on a great show. An example is The Tokens (coming up May 6-10). They only had one big hit, the classic "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", but put on a very entertaining show - quite personable guys and excellent musicians. And - of course getting to actually hear the Tokens singing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is something you can tell your grandkids about - a real Disney Magic moment.

I totally agree Dave! They put on a great show. They also wrote alot of songs for popular artists that they played too! Beach Boys, Tony Orlando, etc...

 

[Otter49]

Guess Who

With no apology to music purists since the bass player is the only remaining original band member, these guys put out a great sound. Very faithful to the original music.

Good interaction with the audience. The two guitar players come into the audience most shows and pose with kids for pics while playing.

Standing ovations each show.

 

[DenverDave]

Thanks Otter49!

Were any of the shows you saw full? Did a significant line form for any of the shows?

 

[carlyle688]

Went to two Guess Who shows last night. They are very good. Lots of energy. The place was almost full. They are not my favorite group; however, I'll be going back tomorrow since I have a bunch of friends who will be out there to see them.

 

[TYMAN]

Thanks for the update....looking forward to going!

 

[Cee]

They were just inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They played on
the VH1 telecast and sounded AWESOME. Play "Hawaii 5-0!"

 

[DenverDave]

That is exciting - I will see the Ventures during my April trip. I planned the trip dates around seeing them - great memories from the 60's. Walk, Don't Run, a terrific song.

Got to thinking what other R & R Hall of Famers have appeared at Flower Power or Eat to the Beat? Checked the RRHOF web site.

These for sure:

The Beach Boys
Little Richard

My experience with the Epcot concerts doesn't go back that far - have the Temptations, Four Tops, or Bo Diddley performed there?

 

[carlyle688]

My experience with the Epcot concerts doesn't go back that far - have the Temptations, Four Tops, or Bo Diddley performed there?

The Four Tops were there last October for Eat to the Beat: