The Tedrock Fund is thrilled to present recording artist Graham Parker at the Firehouse Theater in Newburyport on July 19th!
Graham Parker emerged early in his career as one of the most critically acclaimed singer/songwriters who defined England’s early pub rock scene in the ’70s. Drawing heavily from Van Morrison and the Rolling Stones, Parker fused driving rock & roll with confessional folk-rock. In 1976, Parker’s high-energy debut album Howlin’ Wind preceded the arrival of punk rock and new wave music. His indignant passion, biting sarcasm, and bristling anger, as well as his working-class persona are cited as a major influence on many subsequent, chart-topping British musicians, such as Elvis Costello, Paul Weller and Joe Jackson.
The 1980s were Parker’s most commercially successful years, starting with his 1979 LP, Squeezing Out Sparks making the Top 40. With hits like “Local Girls” and “Passion Is No Ordinary Word”, Parker’s chart breaking singles had heavy FM-radio and video play and were followed by another hit single in 1985 “Wake Up Next to You”. Subsequent albums in the late 80’s and 90’s have all received favorable artistic mention, particularly his 1996 LP Acid Bubblegum which found Parker in his more rocking, angry guise. Following its release, he played a slew of fiery live shows, backed by the spirited young punk-pop band the Figgs.
More recently, Parker reunited his original backing band the Rumour in 2011, in part due to the intervention of longtime fan and filmmaker Judd Apatow, who made the group a plot point in his film This Is Forty. In April 2018, Parker released a brand new single titled “Dreamin'” and announced that a brand new full-length album would be released later this year.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Graham Parker during his short 2018 US Tour. Opening act Mike Gent from the Figgs will perform his solo material to get the vibes started. Tickets are available from the Firehouse Theater Box Office.
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