The NAMM Show returned to Anaheim, California, for the music industry’s annual trade show of musical products, sound, and lighting.
Things got off to a great start as the son and grandson of guitar legend Chuck Berry (Charles Berry Jr. and Charles Berry III) were on hand to introduce Gibson’s new Chuck Berry Tribute ES-350T guitar. Along the way, we also caught up with Orianthi, Rick Nielsen, Duff McKagan, Marty Friedman, Doro Pesch, Tommy Bolan, Cory Churko, Dweezil Zappa, and Phil Collen.
Of course, no gathering of musical royalty would be complete without the loudest of them all: Derek Smalls from Spinal Tap, who was on hand to sign autographs and award an autographed bass to the winner of the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus bass-off competition.
There were some intimate, heartfelt moments as well. The Butte Strong United choir and dance troupe, formed by students from the city of Paradise who lost everything in California’s devastating Camp Fire last year, left many an audience member misty-eyed with their performance of “You Will Be Found” from the Tony Award winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”
An injured knee didn’t stop Elle King from giving a spectacular performance during her concert on the outdoor Plaza Stage. With her soaring vocals, blending the sass and grit of blues, country, and rock, and an outlaw attitude to match, the “Ex’s and Oh’s” singer and her band, The Brethren, closed the NAMM’s concert series in impressive style.
We would like to thank Jeanne O’Keefe and the entire staff at NAMM for the credentials to review this years trade show.
