Jones Beach Concert Season Action Packed So Far

For many Long Islanders, summer does not officially begin until the concerts at Nikon's Jones Beach Theater start. Despite the rain or shine policy which can mean performing in less than cooperative weather (read: cold and wet), the venue still attracts some of the top names in music.  

Chris Isaak and Hall and Oates started the 2011 season off on June 11 with a blend of rockabilly, soul, and classic songs. Isaak performed his own music as wells as a number of covers to honor those who had influenced him, including one by Johnny Cash (“Ring of Fire”), one by Jerry Lee Lewis (“Great Balls of Fire”) and three by Elvis Presley (“Love Me Tender”, “It's Now or Never” and “Can't Help Falling in Love”).

Hall and Oates opened with “Kiss On My List” and the hits just kept on coming from there. They duo performed “Family Man”, “Out of Touch”, “Say It Isn't So”, “Sara Smile” and “She's Gone” and others during the 90 minute show, while leaving “Rich Girl”, “You Make My Dreams” and “Kiss On My List” for the encores.

Rock music was on the schedule for July, beginning with Soundgarden on July 9 followed by a Yes and Styx double bill two nights later. Fans hoping to see Def Leppard and Heart on July 12 were forced to wait until July 30 due to the postponement of the first show.

July also saw performances by Furthur featuring Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, 311, Sublime, the Goo Goo Dolls, Weezer and Jill Scott. Even the preteen set had a show of their own to see courtesy of Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”) on July 21.

Arguably the most anticipated show of the season was by the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Initially set to feature Al Green as her special guest, an unexplained scheduling change left the opening performance to JD and the Straight Shot Doors. For those who do not know who JD is, he is James Dolan, the chief executive officer of Cablevision and executive chairman of the Madison Square Garden Company. Dolan is also on the board of directors for Live Nation, the sponsor for the Jones Beach concerts.

Franklin's performance had the crowd cheering from the moment she took the stage. Her voice was strong and powerful, and she looked happy, healthy and completely at ease. She talked to the audience as if she was addressing a group of friends in her own home. Even a broken toe from a mishap last month did not stop her from sitting at the piano for a few numbers, including her own take on the Simon and Garfunkel hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. Franklin was gracious to the crowd, thanking them over and over for their support.

Franklin also paid tribute in song to the man who started her recording career, Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun, and two singers she admires, Luther Vandross and her old friend, Sam Cooke. Her version of his song “You Send Me” featured pictures of her and Cooke on the big screens and seemed to be a crowd pleaser, given the cheers and applause that accompanied Franklin's vocals.

August's lineup features some big names as well. Some of the performers include Bob Dylan and Leon Russell (August 13), Jimmy Buffet (August 19) and B. B. King (August 27). The August 13 show featuring the New York Pops playing the music of Billy Joel has been canceled.