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http://www.kusi.com/news/goodmorning/97097504.html
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This site last updated on Monday, July 27, 2010
WELCOME TO THE RETRO ROCKETTS WEB SITE. IF YOU ARE PLANNING A "LIVE" MUSIC EVENT, MAKE IT OUT OF HIS WORLD! DON'T BOOK JUST ANY BAND - BOOK A PROFESSIONAL SHOW WITH HARMONY! WE'LL EVEN HELP YOU PACKAGE YOUR EVENT.
We also offer an additional entertainment option for smaller, more intimate events and parties. 'Retro Harmony' can be booked as a duet/trio act and the show is essentially an 'unplugged' version of the Retro Rocketts full show, featuring 2/3 performers. www.RetroHarmony.com. You can go to the bottom of this web site and just click on the link. . .
The Retro Rocketts are gearing up for Summer and are in the practice studio every week working on new material.
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What our Clients say. . .
The RetroRocketts played at the Sunset Market (a return request) on July 22, 2010. A rockin' group that kept all of the market patrons happy, tapping their toes and singing to the tunes. A definite hit for all ages. We will always ask them back.
Cathy Nykiel, Event Manager, City of Oceanside (Sunset Market)
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A BRIEF HISTORY. . .
Don Swanson was in his first band, "The Maltese Mates" at age 14 back in the 1970s - It was the spring of 2005 when he started to put together a duet. That duet lead into a trio which lead into 4 members which lead into 5, then 6 members that became The Retro Rocketts. A lot has changed over the past 5 years and the band now has 4 (core) members.
Don had a lifelong love affair with rocketry and the space program and the fact that the band plays 'retro' songs, the name The Retro Rocketts seemed perfect for the band. The two Ts in Rocketts was in tribute to the famous Rocketts female dance group because at the time there was three female back up singers/dancers.
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The Retro Rocketts are a multi part harmonizing band based in the San Diego area playing all of your 'Retro' favorites from the Beatles, Eagles, Moody Blues and much more.
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Don has always loved the Beatles and for years Produced and Promoted some of the most successful Beatlemania theatrical shows in San Diego history. Designing the best props and stage equipment, hiring the best Beatles tribute talent from all corners of the United States, hiring the best sound people with the best equipment and placing the events in old, historic live theaters, the shows were an extremely popular Holiday Season attraction. The performances included songs from throughout the Beatle's journey.
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The Retro Rocketts band uses only the best instruments and audio equipment to produce their one of a kind, unique sound.
The current band line up is:
• Don Swanson, Vocals/Rhythm/Solo Guitar
• Jennifer Johnson, Bass Guitar/Vocals
• Marc Angel, Lead guitar
• John Hall, Drums and Percussion
Occasionally, we have other performers that sit in with the band. Additional and/or substitute musicians may include Gerry Walker, Larry Cornwell, Jim Dougherty, Jim Allen, Tim Paige and others.
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Don Swanson, the band Founder and Leader plays a semi-hollow body Gretsch Country Gentleman, Guild Custom Starfire IV, a Guild 12 String Jumbo Acoustic, a white/gold Arbor/Guild jumbo electric and a 6 string acoustic electric through a Fender Stage 160 amp and/or a Fender Ultimate Chorus amp and/or a Vox Cambridge 30 Reverb Twin Amp.
Jennifer Johnson plays a vintage Eastwood Sunburst Club Bass (Hofner clone) or a vintage Fender (Squire) Precision bass through a Peavey Combo Bass.
Marc Angel plays a vintage Gibson semi hollow body electric, a Les Paul and a Fender Stratocaster through various effect pedals and Fender Ultimate Chorus Amp.
John Hall plays a custom multi piece Ludwig percussion set with Zildjian High Hats, Pro Sabian and Paiste cymbals, double bass pedals, etc.
Vocals start with Shure SM58 microphones through a Yamaha Powered Mixer, TC Electronics M300 dual engine processor and then into 2 complete Bose speaker array systems or for larger events, 2 - 15" Yamaha PA Speakers for awesome tone and clarity. Cerwin Vega and Yamaha monitors provide the final touches.
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The The Retro Rocketts Band is available for Town/City Street fairs and events, Corporate shows, Charity Fund Raising Events, Private Estate Parties and more. For booking or additional information please contact: Don Swanson - 760-500-1997 or Stephanie Sullivan - Public Relations, Event Coordinator - 858-232-8482 or TheRetroRocketts@san.rr.com.
The Retro Rocketts take you on a musical journey from the 60s through the 80s and are capable of performing over 125 songs, showcasing music from the following artists/bands. . .(in alphabetical order)
• BRYAN ADAMS
• ALLMAN BROTHERS
• AMERICA
• BEATLES
• CHUCK BERRY
• MOODY BLUES
• JIMMY BUFFET
• ERIC CLAPTON
• DAVE CLARK FIVE
• CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
• BOBBY DARIN
• DOOBIE BROTHERS
• EAGLES
• GO GOS
• GEORGE HARRISON
• BILLY IDOL
• CHRIS ISAAK
• KINKS
• JOHN MELLENCAMP
• RICKY NELSON
• ROY ORBISON
• THE OUTSIDERS
• PETER & GORDON
• JOHNNY RIVERS
• ROBERT PALMER
• SANTANA
• SANTO AND JOHNNY
• SEARCHERS
• DEL SHANNON
• SPENCER DAVIS
• SPIRIT
• STEPPENWOLF
• STRAY CATS
• B.J. THOMAS
• MARSHALL TUCKER
• VENTURES
• ZOMBIES
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EVENTS CALENDAR from 2010 BACK TO 2008 - Please check below upcoming tour dates and past events...
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THE RETRO ROCKETTS SHOW SCHEDULE
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For all ticket, show information, directions, information, etc., check with the venue/event or feel free to contact us.
For more photos of The Retro Rocketts please visit our Official Photographer's web site - www.Italifin.com
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- - - - - SHOW CALENDAR - 2010 - - - - -
March 13, Saturday - (Private Party) Stephanie's 50th Birthday Bash - Cardiff, CA
June 11, Friday - (Public Welcome, No Cover) Cruisin’ Grand™, Escondido, CA - Sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts & Truly Nolen. 5:00 - 8:00 PM
June 17, Thursday - (Public Welcome, No Cover) Encinitas Classic Car Cruise Night, Main Stage - Downtown Hwy. 101 - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
July 10, 11, Saturday and Sunday - In studio - recording the song, "Ocean Blue" written and composed for the San Diego Oceans Foundation.
July 22, Thursday - (Public Welcome, No Cover) The Sunset Market Main Stage, Downtown Oceanside between Pier View Way and Tremont Street - 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
August 1, Sunday - (Public Welcome, No Cover) JBA Performance Center (New Location) Grand Opening Car Show, 5675 Kearny Villa Rd, San Diego. just a couple of buildings down from San Diego Fun Bike Center, and behind the San Diego BMW Motorcycles. This will be a huge event with lots of classic cars, street rods, muscle cars and more! For more information go to http://www.jbaracing.com or call (858) 495-3395.
August 7, Saturday - (Public Welcome, No Cover) Vision Pulse Car Show and BBQ. 10211 Pacific Mesa Blvd, Suite 510, San Diego. There will be classic cars, car clubs, LIVE music, munchies and more! Performing from 12:00 - 3:00. For more information go to http://www.visionpulse.com or call (858) 720-8286.
September 24, Friday - (Public Welcome, No Cover) Cruisin’ Grand™ Finale, Escondido, CA - Sponsored by O’Reilly Auto Parts & Truly Nolen. 5:00 - 8:00 PM
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January 29, 2009, The Sunset Market, Downtown Oceanside between Pier View Way and Tremont Street on the Main Stage - 4:00 - 8:00
February 6 - Private 40th Birthday Party - Encinitas
February 13 San Diego - Tentative - Charity Event
March 1, San Diego – Tentative – Charity Event
March 14, 8:30 PM - 12:00 AM - Ocean House - Carlsbad, California - 760-729-4131
April 18, Saturday - 3:30 PM - 4:30+PM - Days Of Art - Ditmar Stage, Oceanside, CA (760) 433-3632
April 26, Sunday - The 26th Annual Encinitas Street Fair - Main Stage/Beer Garden - 11:30 PM- 2:00 PM- (760)-753-1950
June 11, Thursday - The Sunset Market, Downtown Oceanside between Pier View Way and Tremont Street on the Main Stage - 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
June 13th, Saturday - JBA Performance Center Customer Appreciation/Summer Kick Off - Show & Go Hot Rod Car Show. If you like Cool Cars, this is a great event. LIVE Music from around 11:00 AM until mid afternoon. Food, entertainment, door prizes, drinks, special offers on products and services and more! 5135 Convoy Street, San Diego, CA. Admission is FREE! For more event info: JBA Performance - 858-495-3395 or The Retro Rocketts- 760-500-1997
June 27th - Retro Rocketts Band Grand Prize Raffle - House of Blues, San Diego, CA. 7-10 PM
July 4th, Private Independence Day Party, 5-9 PM, Cardiff by the Sea, CA
July 12, Acoustic performance, 5-9 PM, Annual BBQ, Elk's Lodge, Cardiff by the Sea, CA
July 18th, Wedding Ceremony reception, 5-9 PM, Rancho San Diego, CA
July 19th, Don Swanson/Jennifer Johnson Acoustic Duet, 4-6 PM, Del Mar Plaza Art Gallery Reception, Del Mar, CA
July 25, Don Swanson/jennifer Johnson Acoustic Duet, 2-5 PM, JBA Performance Hot Rod Show, Kearny Mesa, CA
October 22, Thursday - The Sunset Market, Downtown Oceanside between Pier View Way and Tremont Street on the Main Stage - 5:00 PM- 9:00 PM
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- - - - - SHOW CALENDAR - 2008 - - - - -
June 13, 7:00 - 10:30 PM - Private Event
June 27, 7:00 - 10:30 PM - Private Event
July 12, 8:00 - 11:30 PM - Private Eevent
July 25, 7:00 - 10:30 PM - Encinitas Elks Lodge - 760-753-2243
August 10, 3:00 - 6:00 PM - Ocean House - Carlsbad, California - 760-729-4131
August 31, 3:00 - 6:00 PM - Ocean House - Carlsbad, California - 760-729-4131
September 7, 1:00 - 4:00 PM - The Torrey Del Mar Annual Car Show - 13859 Carmel Valley Road, San Diego, CA 92130
September 13, Private Event - Rancho Santa Fe, CA
September 20, Corporate Event - Newport Beach, CA
September 26, Private Event - Encinitas, CA - 760-753-2243
October 5, 3:00 - 6:00 PM - Ocean House - Carlsbad, California - 760-729-4131
October 10, The Retro Acoustic Trio - Private Event - Encinitas, California
October 31, Annual Halloween Bash - 7:00 - 11:00 PM - Escondido Moose Lodge - 760-745-1874
November 1, Annual Halloween Bash - 7:00 - 11:00 PM - Encinitas Elks Lodge - 760-753-2243
November 14, The Retro Rocketts full band or The Retro Rocketts Acoustic Trio - 7:00 - 10:30 - Encinitas Elks Lodge - 760-753-2243
December 1st and 2nd - MiraCosta College Studio Recording, Oceanside, CA
December 20, Party, Public Welcome (FREE Show) - 7:00 - 11:00 Encinitas Elks Lodge 760-753-2243
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Don Swanson and The Retro Rocketts use only the best equipment to make your event the best it can be. Please consider these fine brands listed above that we use when purchasing your professional music gear. They are available at most guitar retailers.
We are proud to have on board Up Front Communications from Carlsbad, California. Up Front Communications will continue handling all of our audio and video recording, editing and content. Up Front Communications President Dan Walsh is a name synonymous with quality sports and musical related arenas. A Producer, Director and Camera Operator with over 30 years of experience working for Seals Communications, ESPN, ABC Sports and others, Dan Walsh and his company of qualified staff members will be taking our band on a Digital World journey. If your company would like to capitalize on this modern advertising medium and reap the benefits of a meaningful and profitable video ad campaign, you can reach Up Front Communications at 760-942-2863 or by clicking on their link below. Tell Dan we told you to call.
Don Swanson would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to his family and friends for always encouraging him and to three very special, long time friends - Dave Gonzalez, Jimmy Pou (pronounced Poe) and Gerry Walker for their years of inspiration. Dave was the front man for the 3 piece Rockabilly band, The "Paladins" for 25+ years and (for the past several years) with The Hacienda Bros. www.HaciendaBrothers.com. The Hacienda Brothers played this past year at the American Music Awards and Dave was also listed in the “Top 101 All-time Unsung Guitar Heroes” as selected by Guitar Player Magazine’s February, 2008 issue. He now has a band called the Stone River Boys.
Jimmy Pou is hands down, the most famous, most popular and original actor/musician/singer to ever perform as George Harrison in Beatlemania shows Worldwide since 1977. Jimmy is so well versed at his craft that people aspiring to play in Beatles tribute bands as "The Quiet Beatle" are told to just "do it the way Jimmy Pou does it." Jimmy was the original George in the West Coast/Broadway Production that went on to be one of the best theatrical musicals of all time, thrilling people of all ages Worldwide. Jimmy has performed with more than a dozen different Tribute shows including playing bass (yes bass) for the Beach Boys Family and Friends show with original Beach Boy, Al Jardine and Brian Wilson's daughters, Wendy and Carny. Jimmy now performs with a very elaborate show based on the East Coast called Beatlemania Now. I encourage you to check out one of Jimmy's shows whenever you can. www.BeatlemaniaNow.com
Gerry Walker is a 7 time San Diego Music Association and also The California Music Association - "Best Pedal Steel Player". Gerry is a classically schooled musician that is also a virtuoso on guitar and bass. Gerry owns Stereo Steel, a specialized amplifier company that caters to the Pedal Steel player Worldwide. www.StereoSteel.com. Gerry also is our back-up bass player/vocalist in the band.
The Retro Rocketts are grateful to also have the continuing help and support of these other people and businesses:
Rob Greenstein and Neil Waite from JNR Pro Sound, Scott Cox from Resource Marketing, Beaver Theodosakis, Dave Ombrello Photography and all of the great people at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Global Moving Systems is our official transportation company. For all your home, business or military Worldwide moving needs, contact Global Moving Systems at 858-824-1903.
Images in The Retro Rocketts banner courtesy of Starships.com and the San Diego Air and Space Museum. www.SanDiegoAirAndSpace.org
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