Erie Summer Festival of the Arts 1977-1978

Inside cover of Debbi's autograph book circa 1979. ©Debbi Lyon 2012.

The Erie Summer Festival of the Arts was a great place for to see local bands, especially for someone like me who was too young to catch a bar show. The City of Erie blocked off State Street and set up the main stage near the crosswalk of North Park Row on State between the two parks at Perry Square. Bands played from noon until 11 p.m. or so.

The following bands performed on the main stage on June 23, 1978:
Noon: Smitty and Kenny (country rock)
1 p.m. To Be Announced (they got a lot of gigs)
2 p.m. Jack Anderson (folk guitar)
6 p.m. B. B. Wolf (rock and roll)
7 p.m. Jordan (white soul)
8 p.m. Pistol Whip (punk rock)
9 p.m. Guardian (original rock)
10 p.m. Justin Time (classic rock)

The following bands performed on the main stage on June 25, 1977:
Noon: Osiris
1 p.m. Easy
2 p.m. Omega
3 p.m. Thieves
4 p.m. The Sky's the Limit
6 p.m. Pistol Whip
7 p.m. B. B. Wolf
8 p.m. OPRA
9 p.m. Calypso
10 p.m. Jordan

Moon Meadows 1979 Rock Festival

Flyer for concert at Moon Meadows.

Rock'n Roll Festival July 14, 1979

Summertime in Erie is the best time for music fans because there are concerts galore, including this one at the old Moon Meadows campground. These events were heavily advertised on the radio, and every record store had a stack of fliers on hand. 

Pittsburgh's Iron City Houserockers headlined the July 14th concert. "Love's So Tough" was a regional hit by ICH, featuring Joe Grushecky on lead vocals.

Six local bands rounded out the bill- the Bunnies, Griffin, the Frenchmen, Guardian, Justin Time and Easy. Three of the bands, the Frenchmen, Guardian and Easy, had or were about to release singles. 

Advance tickets were available at Razzberry's and NRM.