The Live at the Garden concert series, the musical crown jewel of Memphis Botanic Garden’s Radians Amphitheater every summer, has brought in some of the biggest names in classic rock over the years.
So, it was quite in keeping with their curation that the closing concert of this season was originally slated to be the Steve Miller Band, the combo who brought “Living in the U.S.A.,” “Space Cowboy,” “Take the Money and Run,” and “Fly Like an Eagle” into the world, not to mention the number one hits “The Joker” and “Rock’n Me.”
But, as it turned out, Miller and the weather had other plans. As the Associated Press reported, the band canceled all of their summer appearances, seemingly in response to the threat of climate change in general, rather than any particular weather event.
The July 17th story reported that Miller posted this statement by way of explanation: “The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable flooding, tornadoes, hurricanes, and massive forest fires make these risks for you our audience, the band, and the crew unacceptable. You can blame it on the weather. … The tour is cancelled.”
Live at the Garden lost no time in alerting its followers of the band’s decision, adding, “don’t worry, we’re already working on a new artist to take their place in the lineup. Stay tuned for updates.”
Today, that update has come, and it’s a doozy: instead of the Steve Miller Band, music fans will now be treated to the legendary Isley Brothers on Friday, September 19th.
As Jamison Totten, director of Live at the Garden & Radians Amphitheater, noted in a statement, “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome The Isley Brothers to the Live at the Garden stage. This band is the perfect way to cap off our milestone 25th season with incredible energy and wide appeal. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure every show this summer has been a top-tier experience for our patrons, and we’re confident this final concert will be the grand finale our audience deserves. Thank you to all of our fans for your patience and enthusiasm as we pivoted to deliver an unforgettable season.”
The Isley Brothers have had an unparalleled impact on American popular music over eight consecutive decades, from the ’50s to the present day. Originating as a teenage gospel quartet in the mid-’50s, formed by the eldest Isley Brothers — O’Kelly, Rudolph, Ronald, and Vernon — their musical journey took a tragic turn when Vernon, aged 13, met an untimely end while riding his bike.
Undeterred, the remaining three brothers, encouraged by their parents, relocated to New York City in 1957 to embark on a rock ‘n’ roll career. Their first single was the iconic “Shout!” — a massive hit, later featured on the Animal House soundtrack and and countless oldies compilations. From that point on, the Isley Brothers crafted a legendary discography. To this day, two of the brothers, Ron and Ernie, continue the legacy with undimmed enthusiasm and creativity.