The Bands of Summer continue: The Memorylaners got their concert crowd performing

By Laura Eisener

It’s not always easy to get people to dance on the lawn of the Iron Works, but the Memorylaners managed to entice a few people up on their feet during their concert last week (July 16). There was even a glowing green skeleton that got to its feet to dance to a few tunes. The Memorylaners are familiar to many Saugonians, as they are popular performers on special occasions at the Senior Center and play many outdoor summer concerts in area towns.

A few of the older tunes included the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody” (often remembered as “You Don’t Know What It’s Like”), Mary Wells’ 1965 hit “My Guy” (written by William Robinson Jr.) and The Temptations’ 1965 hit “My Girl” (written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White). Parrot heads appreciated the late Jimmy Buffett’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” from 1978. The band is also known for amusing comments between songs. The lead singer got especially into the mood with Louis Armstrong’s famous hit “What A Wonderful World,” which continues to be covered by many artists into the present. Steve Rich, the Saugus Founder’s Day 2011 Man of The Year, went up on stage and joined in on “Hang on Sloopy,” which was written in 1964 by Wes Farrell and Bert Berns. The band finished up, as is their custom, with many in the crowd standing for Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.”

This marks the fourth consecutive summer that the Saugus Public Library and the National Park Service are collaborating on a local outdoor event that seems to get more popular every year. The concert series celebrates local musical talents in Essex County and creates opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the park during evening hours. Shows begin at 6 p.m. each Wednesday evening in July and August. People can bring blankets and chairs, snacks, etc. The events take place on the stage behind the museum building, and spectators can settle down on the upper lawn. It is suitable for all ages. Restrooms are available until nearly 8 p.m. when the concerts conclude.

If weather looks bad for any particular Wednesday, concert goers are urged to check the library website (www.sauguspubliclibrary.org), which will update for cancellations on that day.

The Squeezebox Stompers – which specializes in Cajun, Zydeco, Blues & Folk – was scheduled to perform this week (Wednesday, July 23). Here is the rest of the schedule for the summer:

• July 30: Atwater~Donnelly (Traditional American & Celtic Folk Music, Percussive Dance).
• August 6: Ditto (Acoustic Music, 60s & 70s).
• August 13: John Jerome (Rock, Pop, Country, Hip-Hop).
• August 20: Jon Waterman (a journey through the roots of American popular music).
• August 27: Jump Street (Classic Rock, Motown, Jazz and Funk).