CONWAY – The University of Central Arkansas Reynolds Performance Hall presents Grammy-nominated musician and bass player hall of famer Lee Rocker at the Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Friday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 pm.
Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass as a founding member, along with Brian Setzer and Slim Jim Phantom, of the Grammy-nominated music group The Stray Cats. The group sold over 10 million albums, garnered 23 gold and platinum-certified records, and was music video pioneers of MTV. The Stray Cat’s worldwide mega hits “Stray Cat Strut”, “Sexy and Seventeen” and “Rock this Town” have become a part of the fabric of rock and roll. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has included “Rock This Town” as one of the 500 most important songs in rock.
Public Appearances Executive Director Amanda Horton said, “Lee Rocker is commonly known for being a part of the wildly successful Stray Cats, but Lee is also an award-winning musician. Lee will highlight the big hits from the Stray Cats as well as show off his skills on his double bass. This will be a fun night or rockabilly revival as he entertains our crowd with his music and storytelling.”
From the cover of Rolling Stone magazine to appearing on Saturday Night Live, to headlining the US Festival and touring with the Rolling Stones, Rocker has seen and done it all. In addition to The Stray Cats and the Rolling Stones, Rocker has toured and performed with George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Willie Nelson, Leon Russell, and John Fogerty. In 1982 Rocker and his father Stanley Drucker, (classical clarinetist) both received Grammy nominations; this was something that has only occurred twice in the history of the Grammy Awards. In 2012, Rocker appeared on Broadway in the hit musical “Million Dollar Quartet” and in 2014 he was inducted into the Bass Player Hall of Fame. Rocker has received numerous honors for his contributions to music and the arts, including being inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Long Island Music Hall of Fame and he is a recipient of the Visionary Artist Award by the City of Laguna Beach California. In his concert performances, Rocker rocks every town and leaves every audience on their feet and cheering.
Rocker is known for making his upright double bass appear as if it were a lightweight instrument as he spins, throws it in the air, catches and plays it on stages throughout the world. His concert show is a time for him to tell stories about his days on the road and in the music business for the last 35 years – including sharing stories about his adventures lugging the giant piece of equipment around.
Tickets range from $20-$40 for adults and $10 for children/students. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Reynolds Box Office Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., online at uca.edu/reynolds or by calling UCA Ticket Central at (501) 450-3265 or toll-free at (866) 810-0012.
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