America is a band that was never in my face growing up but always seemed to be there in the background or coming through the AM airwaves. As I got older I realized a handful of their songs were living in my subconscious because I liked the songs enough to keep them around. Humphreys By The Bay is an intimate gem of an outdoor concert venue that only holds 1400 people located on Shelter Island off the San Diego Bay. Friday night concerts are rare enough, but going with my lady to see a band I have never seen at a venue I had never seen a concert at made this all the more special.
After we secured last minute hard tickets from Craigslist we made our way to Point Loma to grab sushi and drinks then had a beer at nearby Eppig Brewing before we walked over to the venue. This my friends was the Alaska Cruise of concerts (average age 70+), which came as no surprise since this band reached its commercial zenith in the 70’s. Since the venue is right next to the water there is a community of people “in the know” that roll up to the side of the venue in canoes, paddle boards and other small floating objects to watch shows for free. Speaking of watching for free, I found it amusing that a guy who asked me if I had an extra ticket as I was coming into the venue was in the beer line behind me 10 minutes later after he accomplished his mission. I gave him props and was delighted to realize my buddy Marvin will definitely still be doing this when we are this age.
Jack Tempchin was the opener and I am ashamed to admit that I had no idea who he was before this moment. It was just him and an acoustic guitar and not long into his set I learned that he actually wrote the Eagles songs “Already Gone” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” that he performed. Apparently he is a very accomplished songwriter that has been hiding in the shadows writing songs for others that have become hits.
America’s tour was originally slated for 2020 to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary before that thing happened. I knew that America probably had songs that I did not even realize I liked and was happily proven right when they came out and played “Tin Man” first. The whole evening was a learning experience as I also learned they hold the record for number of times a band has played at Humphreys (thirty something). Finally I learned that George Martin of Beatles fame produced the band for years after the Beatles broke up and as such they treated us to a rocking version of “Eleanor Rigby!” They also did a great cover of “California Dreamin’” that they apparently charted with back in 1979.
Overall Dewey Bunnell, Gerry Beckley and their very capable backup band sounded fantastic. They gave me a night to remember with “Tin Man,” “You Can Do Magic,” “Ventura Highway,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Sister Golden Hair” and “ A Horse With No name.”
SETLIST: Tin Man, You Can Do Magic, Don’t Cross the River, Daisy Jane, Riverside, I Need You, Here, Ventura Highway, Driving, Eleanor Rigby, Cornwall Blank/Hollywood, Survival, The Border, Greenhouse, Woman Tonight, Only In Your Heart, California Dreamin’, Lonely People, Sandman, Sister Golden Hair, A Horse With No Name
