Park City, UT — Park City Institute is pleased to introduce the Professor of Rock LIVE–a new series coming to the Eccles Center. The series will feature the definitive stories behind the greatest songs of the rock era, straight from the artists and writers who created them. Professor of Rock creator and series host Adam Reader has produced over 500 mini-documentaries on these iconic songs and artists over the years and is curating in-depth interviews behind the genealogy of the greatest artists of the rock and roll era.
The show will take place at the 1200 seat state-of-the-art Eccles Center in Park City, UT. The format of the events will include in-depth interviews along with musical performances by each of the guests.
The inaugural series of Professor of Rock LIVE will include five shows and is expected to double to 10 shows in the second year and expand to include as many as 18 shows in its third year.
According to Reader, “Every great song has a story, and having the artist share that story in a private setting, brings new depth, and an amazing connection to music that is already entrenched in our personal history. Professor of Rock LIVE is like having your favorite artist in your living room for an intimate conversation, along with a private acoustic performance, and fun surprises just for you & your friends.”
We are pleased to announce the first three confirmed shows:
February 5 – Kevin Cronin from REO Speedwagon
Fronted by iconic vocalist Kevin Cronin since 1972, REO Speedwagon’s unrelenting drive, as well as non-stop touring and recording jump-started the burgeoning rock movement in the Midwest. Platinum albums and radio staples set the stage for the release of the band’s explosive HI INFIDELITY in 1980. The album contained the massive hit singles “Keep On Loving You” (No. 1 single written by Cronin) and “Take It On the Run,” and spent 15 weeks in the No. 1 slot. From 1977 to 1989, REO Speedwagon released nine consecutive albums all certified Platinum or higher, including a RIAA Diamond Award for HI INFIDELITY for surpassing sales of 10 million units in the U.S. REO, now having sold more than 40 million albums worldwide, is still electrifying concert audiences with hits including the Cronin-penned No. 1 “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Ridin’ The Storm Out,” “Time For Me To Fly,” “Roll With The Changes,” “Take It On the Run,” and many more.
March 18 – Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide and has won two Grammy Awards. His songs have left his musical imprint on “the soundtrack of our lives.” Over the last four decades, his chart-topping songs have included “This Is It,” “I’m Alright,” “Footloose,” “Danger Zone,” and so many more. His album Return to Pooh Corner remains the best-selling children’s album of the last 20 years. In 2016, he released his latest children’s project, the book Footloose, inspired by his 1985 Oscar nominated and Grammy Award-winning “Song of the Year.”
April 15 – Russell Hitchcock & Graham Russell of Air Supply
The trademark sound of Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor voice and Graham Russell’s simple yet majestic songs created a unique sound that would forever be known as Air Supply. “Lost in Love”, “All Out of Love”, “The One That You Love”, “Sweet Dreams”, and “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” have each achieved multi-million plays on the radio. Seven top-five singles later, Air Supply at that time had equaled The Beatles’ run of consecutive top-five singles. The albums Lost in Love, The One That You Love, Now & Forever, and The Greatest Hits sold in excess of 20 million copies.
Said Park City Institute’s Executive Director Ari Ioannides, “We are pleased to partner with the Professor of Rock to present these unique experiences here in Park City. The George S. and Dolores Dor Eccles Center for the Performing Arts is an excellent venue because of its intimate seating, close proximity to a major airport, resort accommodations, and superb acoustics.
For additional shows and information, please visit the website at https://www.parkcityinstitute.org/professor-of-rock-live.
Park City Institute is a non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing world-class performances and new ideas to the community. Since 1998, PCI has presented internationally renowned and cutting-edge musicians, actors, authors, comedians, dancers, speakers, and film, at the George S. and Dolores Dor Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (a joint-use facility with the Park City School District). For 16 of the past 17 years, the organization has presented headliner summer concerts in Park City. PCI is dedicated to introducing young people to the arts through free student outreach workshops, shows, and demonstrations.
Entertaining, Educating, and Illuminating since 1998.