RICK K., who once drove a 1965 Auburn Galaxy convertible, knows that a classic car can escort one back to another, perhaps more idyllic time. Same for the classic rock that he and his band known as The Allnighters have performed worldwide, plus during Super Bowl week, NBA All-Star weekend, and goodness knows where else.
The two elements of the past mix into a perfect storm of nifty nostalgia for the annual outdoor extravaganza known as Hot Rods &Rock ‘n’ Roll on Washington Street in downtown Columbus from 3 to 9 p.m. Sept. 17.
Through the years, the day of a car show and concert has attracted as many as an estimated 6,000 people throughout the afternoon, including as many as an estimated 1,000 people for the group’s closing performance, unfolding at 7 p.m. this year.
The band’s lead singer, speaking by phone from his home in Morgantown, West Virginia, on a rare day off the road, said that he hopes the conversation and the upcoming party is steered far from what he called the dreaded R word. No, in his mind, sunshine will reign over 106.1 The River FM Radio event.
“I so enjoy the atmosphere there,” said the man who keeps his surname abbreviated to a single letter for his downtime privacy. “My favorite part is seeing all the classic cars around. And all the guys and gals at the radio station there always have been great.”
Nearly 300 vehicles were part of past year’s festivities, according to organizers.
The Allnighters expect to blend tunes from as far back as the ’60s and the Beatles with today’s tunes from artists such as Bruno Mars in a 90-minute show. They arrive these days without comical and creative drummer Steve Moore, who became globally known a few years ago and suddenly landed on national music magazine covers after a YouTube.com video of him wildly performing with the Allnighters went viral. He’s n0w touring with a heavy metal group.
K. mentioned that the band’s 150 shows annually feature enough first-time attendees and scenery changes to help keep a sometimes-evolving setlist fresh. Plus, he occasionally departs from the script for simple joy for a celebratory concertgoer.
“We’ll even sing a happy birthday,” he said.
He and his bandmates are known for their glittery, throwback, ’50s-style outfits in a rock world of ripped jeans and t-shirts. This year’s dress code will include white dinner jackets.
“I definitely always have wanted to present more of a Temptations or a Las Vegas-style flashiness,” said the singer who began performing at age 13 in clubs as a drummer with bands.
But the group puts in a lot of work behind the surface flash. And little stops them. At an Ohio date a few years ago, the power went out, and band members ventured into the crowd to sing a cappella with small clusters of people gathered around.
He cannot imagine life without the band and the performances, though he acknowledged that he is old enough to now see his three daughters grown.
“These days, people sometimes ask me, ‘Hey — when are you gonna retire?’” K. said. “What am I going to do if I retire? Why on earth would I retire?
“This is still what I love to do.”
The product of a rock drummer father with added arts influence from a jazz pianist grandmother has appeared at he local car show for about 15 years and has been a crowd favorite. A few years ago, when the radio station used another group, many attendees made know their wish to have Rick K. and the Allnighters return.
“People really love his energy and the energy of the whole band,” said The River Oldies 106.1 FM general manager Bob Morrison. “And they know that Rick works really hard to update his music for the show just like we regularly update the music on The River.”
“As time has gone on, the show has moved forward (in decades) as our audience has moved forward (in preferences). And Rick makes things an awful lot of fun.”
Morrison said the same about event organizer Christine Nelson, the business manager with the radio station.
“She is,” Morrison said, “a real rock star.”
About the event
What: Annual Hot Rods & Rock ’n’ Roll car show and concert presented by 106.1 FM The River.
When: 3 to 9 p.m. Sept. 17.
Where: Washington Street in downtown Columbus.
Admission: Free.
Food/drink: Available at downtown restaurants.
Concert: At 7 p.m with Rick K. and the Allnighters.
Information: Facebook page for 106.1 The River
