Wed 10/7 @ 8PM
R&B singer Aaron Neville comes from one of New Orleans’ illustrious musical families and is undoubtedly its best-known member. He released his first recording in 1960 but it wasn’t until 1967 that his achingly soulful vocals propelled “Tell It Like It Is” to the No. 2 slot on the pop charts. Since then, he’s always seemed to be around in one form or another, whether it’s making hit duets with Linda Ronstadt or performing with his family ensemble, the Nevilles or Mardi Gras Indian ensemble Wild Tchoupitoulas.
Deeply associated with the City That Care Forgot but alas, Katrina didn’t, Neville moved to Nashville for several years after his home in NOLA was destroyed. And he lost his wife of 50 years less than a year and a half after evacuating the city where he was born.
But he eventually moved back, became involved with the rebuilding efforts, remarried and kept on producing music that showed his range and passion such as his 2010 gospel album I Know I’ve Been Changed, and his 2013 release My True Story, featuring R&B vocal-group classics from the ’50s and ’60s such as “Work With Me Annie,” “Under the Boardwalk,” “Tears on my Pillow,” and “Little Bitty Pretty One.” That it was produced by Don Was and Keith Richards (who also played on the album) and enlisted musicians who had played with Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Bob Dylan, Sheryl Crow and Norah Jones is a mark of the respect he’s earned in the music business.
He’ll be performing at the Kent Stage. Tickets are $39-$45.
thekentstage.com/aaron-neville/
Kent, OH 44240