Around 1958 Jack and I played our first gig in Charlotte Harbour’s basement in Washington, DC. I was the singer and played rhythm guitar and Jack played lead. I was 17 and Jack was 14…always ahead of his time. I cannot tell you exactly what songs we played, but for sure there were Buddy Holly songs, Conway Twitty songs, Jimmy Clanton songs; Just a dream, just a dream, All our plans and all our schemes. Who knew at that time what our musical dreams would become. Beyond our wildest dreams, I can tell you that. Sixty-five (count ‘em …65!) years of making music with my best friend.
To say that everything has changed would be an understatement. Throwing your instrument in the back of your ride and piling in with your bandmates is legend for every traveling musician. Since then, collectively we’ve probably played around 15,000 gigs. We’re not done counting yet. That said, it’s time to stop thinking of living as it was… indeed, into the future we must cross.
It has been said that the music Jack and I play was transformative and that we injected an energy into our sound full of constant improvisation taking the compass on a joyride. It is still our plan to continue in our original duo format. We are not retiring from touring, but the Electric lineup of this long-lived incarnation is going fishing for a while. The road may not go on forever, but the destination is still beyond the horizon. Friends, this is the year to catch us as ‘Electric Tuna.’ We will be inviting companions old and new to join us and we hope that you will too.
Our big tour is set for September 2023 with a special show on July 20 at the Great South Bay Music Festival Patchogue, NY. Get your tickets for this historic run at selective venues in cities on the east coast. … Jorma
Quote from Jim Faith Producer, Great South Bay Music Fest
“Jorma, Jack & friends have headlined GSB many times in the past and were always considered friends of the fest. When we were approached to host this historic final LI Electric show, we were of course truly honored. We are excited to be such an iconic part of the Electric Hot Tuna journey and legacy”.
ALSO PERFORMING FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JULY 21-23
PHIL LESH & FRIENDS
GOVT. MULE’S
“THE DARK SIDE OF THE MULE”
DIRTY HEADS
JASON BONHAM’S “LED ZEPPELIN EVENING”
GOLDFINGER
ERIC KRASNO TRIO, NEIGHBOR
DUANE BETTS & PALMETTO MOTEL
TAUK, BRANDON “TAZ” NIEDERAUER
BADFISH, BALLYHOO, OOGEE WAWA
And so many more…
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT
www.greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
Kicking off the festival Thursday, July 20, the legendary Electric Hot Tuna returns to perform their final Electric Hot Tuna show.. Classic rock icon Dave Mason immediately supports and barnburners The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson round out the lineup. Local guitar wizard Kerry Kearney and the Kings of the Psychedelta will start the ball rolling. (10 performers on two stages).
Friday’s annual rock-reggae-ska party continues with returning Huntington Beach California rock-reggae veterans Dirty Heads, with support from LA ska-punk band Goldfinger, plus Sublime Tribute: Badfish, Maryland rockers Ballyhoo and emerging LI hometown reggae-rockers: Oogee Wawa (15 performers on 3 stages).
ROCK ROYALTY will take the Main Stage on Jam-Saturday. Great South Bay is excited to host legendary bassist and original Founding Member of the Grateful Dead: Phil Lesh & Friends. Supporting will include jazz-funksters The Eric Krasno Trio, Neighbor and local singer-songwriter-musician Cassandra House. (18 performers on 4 stages).
Great South Bay will close out Sunday with ex-Allman Brothers guitar legend, Warren Haynes & Govt. Mule, performing “Dark Side of the Mule”, a tribute to the 50th. Anniversary of Pink Floyd’s classic album The Dark Side of The Moon, complete with full “over-the-top” visual effects and laser light show.
Also taking the Main Stage is rocker Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, Duane Betts and Palmetto Motel, and two LI born and bred rockers, jam favorites Tauk, and phenom guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, who performed at Great South Bay when he was just 12 years old, and has since shared the stage with Gregg Allman, Gary Clarke Jr., Warren Haynes, Lady Gaga, and so many more.
Festival Times:
Thursday, July 20: Doors are at 3:00 pm, fest goes till 10pm.
Friday, July 21: Doors are at 3:00PM, music till 11pm,
Saturday July 22.: Doors are at 1:00pm, music till 11pm,
Sunday July 23: Doors are at 2:00pm with performances till 10pm.
Shorefront Park is located just a few miles south of LIE, exit 63S, …straight to the magnificent Great South Bay
