FREE Friday Night Bands on the Beach

FRIDAY NIGHTS - June 14 through August 30, 2013

TWO FREE SHOWS EACH FRIDAY!

6:30pm and 8:30pm on the Beach Bandstand!

2013 Free Friday Night Bands Line-up

Printable Schedule

Band Bios & Photos

ABC

June 14, 2013

ABC helped kick-start the Eighties with their own brand of pop for the new decade. In May, 1982 their debut album "The Lexicon of Love" crashed straight into the UK charts at number one, showcasing their ground-breaking collection of hits including "Tears Are Not Enough", "Poison Arrow",  "The Look Of Love" and "All Of My Heart".

ABC's Martin Fry is a revelation, an ageless soul man belting out Vegas glitter pop and uptown House in his electric blue lounge suit.

ABC audiences and the press all agree that the energy and the vocals of the band today easily match what they put out back in the 80's , giving audiences worldwide a great night of music and entertainment.

Gin Blossoms

June 21, 2013

In 1988 the Gin Blossoms earned Best Rock Band honors in a Phoenix New Times Reader's Poll, which in turn got them a coveted spot in the 1989 South By Southwest Music Conference.

Their greatest hits include "Jealousy," "Found out About You," and "Follow You Down" which was featured in the movie "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."

Santana Original Lead Singer Gregg Rolie 

June 28, 2013

Gregg Rolie is responsible for co-founding two phenomenally popular super groups—SANTANA and JOURNEY. In 1998 the world-class keyboardist-vocalist-producer was inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame as part of the original Santana band.

His incredible singing talents will forever be immortalized by his unforgettable lead vocals on classic Santana hits including "Black and Magic Woman," "Evil Ways," and "Oye Como Va." Join Gregg Rolie and his band as they perform original Santana hits the way you remember them!

The Tubes
featuring Fee Waybill

July 5, 2013

The Tubes emerged from the San Francisco music scene in 1969 and became well known for their media savvy and theatrical skills.

In the early 1980s they released the hit classic rock songs She’s a Beauty, Talk To Ya Later, and The Monkey Time. Fee Waybill and The Tubes are back with another family-friendly show on the Boardwalk stage!

Blue Öyster Cult

July 12, 2013

This American rock band was formed in New York in 1967 and is still going strong. They have sold over 14 million albums worldwide.

Known for hits like "The Reaper,", "Burnin' for You,", and "Godzilla.". (You may have seen Will Farrell do a special rendition of "The Reaper" on "Saturday Night Live" —"MORE COWBELL PLEASE!")

Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven

July 19, 2013

Cracker is an American alternative rock band led by founders and songwriters, singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. Lowery and Hickman formed the band in 1991, soon releasing the album Cracker with hits "Happy Birthday to Me" and "Teen Angst". 

The band is best known for their 1993 gold album, Kerosene Hat, which includes the hit songs "Low", "Euro-Trash Girl" and "Get Off This".

Touring ever since, the band has released ten studio albums and several compilations, collaborations, solo projects and live albums.  Cracker mixes influences and sounds from rock,punk, alternative country, psychedelia, blues and folk.

Camper Van Beethoven, David Lowery's former band, has reunited and will also be performing. Camper Van Beethoven was formed in Redlands, California in 1983 and later located in Santa Cruz and San Francisco.

Berlin
featuring Terri Nunn

July 26, 2013

For fans of electronic music and the far-reaching wave of style and pop culture that followed in the wake of the 80s,  Berlin vocalist Terri Nunn is an icon.

As the charismatic vocalist for a band that virtually launched electronic dance rock in the U.S., Terri earned the No. 11 spot on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Women in Rock."

At this high-energy show enjoy hits like "No More Words," "The Metro," and "Take My Breath Away" which was featured in the 1986 movie Top Gun and reached #1 on the Billboard Top 100.

Y&T

August 2, 2013

Before Mötley Crüe, before RATT, even before there was a Metallica, Y&T was slogging away in sweaty rock clubs around America. When the band formed in the early 1970s, little did they know they would set the standard for hard rock bands that trailed.

Many of the biggest acts of the '80s became popular opening for headliners Y&T. With a discography of 18 albums and three greatest hits collections, Y&T has sold over four million albums since their 1974 inception.

The band received extensive airplay with hits such as "Forever", "Rescue Me", "Mean Streak", and "Summertime Girls"—which played in heavy rotation on MTV. After five top 100 albums, songs that tipped into the 40s, two Bammie Awards, and many international television appearances, Y&T's hits are still played on VH1 Classic and classic rock radio stations everywhere.

WAR

August 9, 2013

What do you get when you take Funk, Jazz, R&B and Rock & Roll and mix it all together? You get one of the greatest bands of all time!  WAR has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.

Lonnie Jordan, original lead singer, keyboardist extraordinaire and musical director has always been the voice of WAR and is one of the most versatile and musically talented men of the twentieth century. His powerful voice presides over WAR's political, historical and downright fun songbook.

Whether listening to "Lowrider" on "Grand Theft Auto San Andreas" or on classic vinyl, WAR's music is a timeless thread in the quilt of American pop culture. WAR is not a band. WAR is a Movement!

Foghat

August 16, 2013

Foghat has earned seven Gold records, one Platinum record, and one Double-Platinum record during their hit-filled career.

Their first platinum album "Fool For The City" featured Foghat's trademark hit  "Slow Ride" and cemented their place as one of the world's top rock acts. Hits like "Fool For The City", "Drivin' Wheel", "I Just Wanna Make Love To You", "I'll Be Standing By" are still classic rock radio favorites.

They epitomize a classic blues-rock slide guitar sound. Today's version of the band has been together since the passing of Lonesome Dave ten years ago. Foghat continues to tour relentlessly because they just love to play and meet their fans. 

Eddie Money

August 23, 2013

Money burst onto the music scene with his self-titled debut album in 1977. The album, which went double platinum, featured hits like Baby Hold On, and Two Tickets to Paradise.

Money followed the success of his debut album with a stream of Top 40 hits, Think I’m in Love, Shakin, Take Me Home Tonight, and I Wanna Go Back.

As the years have passed, Money’s blue-collar brand of rock-n-roll has managed to transcend generations and continues to move audiences today.

Papa Doo Run Run

August 30, 2013

Papa Doo Run Run returns to the Boardwalk for their 23rd year to perform tunes from the Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, and many of your beach party favorites.

The group, formed in Cupertino in 1965, has toured and recorded with the Beach Boys and from 1975 to 1990 served as the “celebrity house band” at Disneyland.

Printable ScheduleHotel Reservations

Concert Information and Etiquette For the comfort and safety of all our guests, please note the following:

Access to the prime seating area begins at 4 p.m.; no blankets or chairs are permitted in the roped off areas before 4 p.m. The line formed on the beach will be given first priority at prime area seating.

Please limit blanket size to 3x5 feet per person, about the size of a beach towel. Only low-back chairs are allowed; High-back chairs will be required to move to the back of the beach area. Please allow others space and a good view.

Smoking is not permitted on the beach or Boardwalk. Alcohol and glass are prohibited on the beach. Recording of concerts is not allowed.

Please keep walkways & stairs clear; dancing permitted in front of the stage only.

Accommodations for guests with disabilities at the Friday Night Concerts are provided on a "first come first served" basis in two locations. One section is reserved for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing. The other section is reserved for mobility-impaired guests plus one companion. If you require other special accommodations, please contact the Manager on Duty at least 48 hours in advance of the concert at (831) 423-5590.

Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach are sponsored by Hilton Hotel Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley, Xfinity, Santa Cruz Diner, Zoccoli's Delicatesson, Santa Cruz Sentinel, and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

ENJOY THE SHOWS!