Kenny Loggins Makes Surprise Mozambique Appearance in Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — It was a quiet evening at Mozambique Steakhouse in Laguna Beach. Then, on Monday, Dec. 5th, Kenny Loggins appeared on the live music stage in Laguna Beach in a reunion and documentary filming with former band members now in the local band, The 133 Band.

The “unannounced guest appearance” was greeted by more than 150 fans who “heard through the grapevine” and packed their way into the Mozambique bar and adjoining dining room.

Loggins sang with the 133 Band through two sets, largely relying on 133’s material and renowned rock classics as tribute to his enduring friendship with several of the band’s members.

"About three years ago, a Laguna Beach local and fellow musician, Clay Berryhill, created the 133 Band, a collective of front men and women of the town’s leading local bands. Members include Steve and Beth Wood, Poul Pedersen, Nick “I” Hernandez, Alan Deremo, Drew Hester, Jason Feddy and Bob Hawkins, each who has toured internationally with top musicians, including Kenny Loggins.

It all started in the early 1970s when Kenny Loggins, a longtime visitor to Laguna Beach and fan of its music scene, asked Steve and Beth Wood to take their Honk act on the road with Loggins and Messina.

When Loggins decided to break out as a solo act a few years later, he returned to Laguna Beach. There, Steve Wood became his keyboardist and Honk drummer Tris Imboden (now wit

h Chicago) took on the drums. Finally, Loggins added Laguna Beach guitarist Mike Hamilton to round out his touring band.

“When we were chatting with Kenny before the show at Mozambique, he was kind of chuckling about how he’d come to Laguna and pilfered our town of great musicians,” says Clay Berryhill. “But no one was complaining. It was an incredible opportunity to be a member of Kenny Loggins’ band.”

Although the 133 Band performs regularly with Steve Wood on keyboards, Berryhill’s primary intent is the completion of a documentary that talks to the extraordinary bonds and connections these musicians have enjoyed through decades of high level, global musicianship. Because of his ongoing ties with several of the members, Kenny Loggins asked to be a part of the documentary.

Mozambique’s Owner Ivan Spiers offered his popular live music stage for the filming, and the evening proved a high-energy capture whose moments are undoubtedly earmarked for the soon-to-be-released documentary.

“It’s always great when we bring in a national celebrity spotlight to Mozambique,” said Spiers, “But this was such a special night for locals because it was all about celebrating just how respected these Laguna Beach musicians are, even from the very highest levels of this industry.”

Berryhill’s documentary is in post-production mode now with plans for release this coming spring. Watch for 133 details at their Facebook page: facebook.com/the133band/

133 Band will be playing again at Mozambique on Monday, Jan. 2nd.

Go to MozambiqueOC.com/live-music-calendar for news on 133 Band bookings as well as other renowned regional and national acts.

Photos, courtesy Diane Armitage, AritamitageInc.com