Sept. 5 - 8, 1998
It was rather an odd year for Long Beach Blues Festival. Very few African American
blues artists were billed in the line up this year, and there were lots of white
artists instead. Race should not the issue here, but it sure looked different from past years. Take a look at the line up:
  
Sept. 5
Lonnie Brooks
Lou Ann Barton
Roomful of Blues
featuring
Duke Robillard, Curtis Salgado, & Ronnie Earl
Robben Ford
The Blues Brothers Band
featuring Eddie Floyd & Wilson Pickett
Sept. 6
The Dixie Hummingbirds
The Yardbirds
The Splinter Group feat. Peter Green
John Mayall's Bluesbreakers
British Blues Reunion
featuring
Mick Taylor, Kim Simmonds, Peter Green, & Keith Emerson
Sept. 7
James Harman
Duke Robillard
Sing It (Marcia Ball, Irma Thomas, Tracy Nelson)
Taj Mahal
Jimmie Vaughan
Well, what do you think? There were many hardcore Fest go-ers complaining about this line up, but on the other hand, rock-loving blues fans (like my good friend Gene Carlson, among others) seemed to love it. Well I have always been a rock fan, so I guess I should like it, but I come all the way from Japan every year for this Fest, and this wasn't quite what I expect to have. But after I was through with the 3 days, I can honestly say that I really enjoyed it.
So here it is, the photos from the Fest, and reviews from my point of view...
  
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