After attending my first Viva Las Vegas event last year (#13, 2010) and this year’s, many thoughts ran through my head. The sheer magnitude of the worldwide Rockabilly scene took me by storm. The sheer volume of 'billies at one place and one time was staggering. I thought I’d share what I think about Viva.
A bit about me… I live the lifestyle and I play Rockabilly and listen to it all the time. I own two acoustic guitars, two electric guitars (an off-the shelf Gretsch G5129 and a customized Epi LP), an upright bass, Pearl snare drum (still adding to my bastardized craigslist drum set) and recording equipment. One of my hobbies is to do covers of my favorite songs, as well as a bit of songwriting of my own. (Mom, still working on that song you wrote about the ex). Also, let’s not forget my tattoos, my love of beer & whiskey, Lucky Strikes and most of all: Old American Iron. That’s how I consider myself the “Hot Rodder” type Greaser that Serge Lotosky categorized. Just ask my wife how much time I spend in my garage. When I heard about Viva, I knew I had to go.
Viva is all about Rockabilly music. Anyone who's listened to the music knows the energy and great feeling you get: that irresistible urge to bop your head and tap your foot. If you play guitar, no doubt will your hands start to either finger chords & riffs or strum in the air. Bull fiddle players will start to simulate slaps and plucks in the air along to the music. It is one thing to listen to Rockabilly with your stereo cranked. But to listen to it live... well that’s a whole other experience. The bands of today capture the spirit and raw energy that the genre demands. They never fail to put on a great show.
Viva’s main intent is to provide a venue for bands to perform. Watching a Rockabilly band perform live is the ultimate experience. You can feel the sheer energy running through the stage. The drummer's snare backbeat is the pulse that starts the blood flowing, the bassist's bass line and slaps are the adrenaline-pumped heartbeat, the electric guitar riffs and the rhythm guitar’s strums and the singer’s vocals complete the roar of the wild animal that is Rockabilly. That is my best attempt to put into words what you feel watching a live Rockabilly band. You must be there.
And, Viva does feature the original acts. It is always a joy to see the original cats either still playing or come out of retirement and play to a new generation. I’ll name a few off the top of my head: Jerry Lee Lewis, Glen Glenn, Scotty Moore, Sonny Burgess & the Pacers, and so many others. They recorded their hit songs back in the 50’s and had their time in the limelight for a few years. Then, sadly, American musical tastes changed and these performers faded out of the public view (although I must give credit to Western Europe , as they kept showing interest in them). What they must feel to see a newer & younger generation embrace their music, play it and create a whole culture around it. On top of that, the culture has spanned the globe and is bigger than ever today. What they must feel…
Sadly, many of the greats have passed (Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Billy Lee Riley, etc). I know they’re up there in the spirit world watching us drinking beer, listening to their music, playing their music, wrenching on an old hot rod, with pomade in our hair. No doubt they’re smiling, secure in the fact that we’re keeping their music alive.
Rockabilly is pure, raw American music, plain & simple. Viva is a great example of American culture: the music (of course), people having a great time, the pretty gals, hot rods and beer. Lots and lots of beer (more on that in a bit). Viva is an expression of freedom; to play our music, to grease up our hair and yes, drink beer. Us ‘billies are patriotic. We love us some U.S. of A. I have never met an extreme left-wing Greaser. To quote Ronnie Weiser, there is none of this, “stupid hippie bullshit!”
Now, about the beer. Pabst sponsors the event, so it’s only natural to assume that Pabst Blue Ribbon will be flowing like a river at the event. While my wife drinks cranberry juice (really baby? You’re surrounded by Rockabilly. Get drunk damn it! J), I’m downing Pabst in copious quantities. We all know what happens when you drink a lot of beer. I’ll give you a hint: you don’t buy beer, you borrow it. See, this can be a problem, so I’m considering wearing an adult diaper next year while watching the main event, as you’ll get trapped in by the crowd and lose your spot if you dare go to the bathroom (maybe I won’t wear one). When I saw Chuck Berry at VLV 13, I had consumed a six-pack of Pabst while checking out the rides. When Mr. Berry
Another event at Viva is the car show. The rat-rod is the showcase of it. Now, I do like restorations, the occasional street rod (sorry Dad, street rods are for old folk), muscle cars (what got me into the hobby) and most of all, rat rods. There are plenty of these machines at the show, complete with patina and pinstripes. The reason I love rat rods so much is that they are much more affordable to build than a street rod or restoration. Also, they really show the creativity and ingenuity of the builder. Being a Mechanical Engineer, I appreciate the designs I see. Okay, I have to admit that a beer-can overflow is a bit ghetto, but it looks fucking cool. So does a beer tap handle for a shifter knob. So does a Mexican blanket for a seat cover. I could go on and on. But yes, the car show is a great place to go and check out some nice rides, also to talk with a few of the car owners and share a quick beer.
Overall, Viva is THE place to be if you are into the culture. It is a time when we take one weekend a year to forget about the hustle and bustle of our normal lives and to have a great time listening to bands, checking out the nice rides and yes, drink beer. Even if you’re not a ‘billie, you should go. You’ll find us to be friendly, fun and lovers of beer.
That’s about all I can type. I need to have me a beer. Cheers!
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