Rock 'N' Picnic will be Sept. 2-3
Lazy River, which will be one of six bands playing at the Humboldt Rock ‘N’ Picnic on Sept. 2, ran this promotional photo in the Humboldt Independent back in 1972. Pictured, from left: Ardie Strutzenberg, John Callahan, Mark Flanagan, Jon Porter and Randy Berka. All of the original members will be playing except for Mark Flanagan, who passed away a few years ago. Local Humboldt resident Steve Curry has taken over the bass duties. In addition, the band added former Humboldt High graduate, John Brandsgard on guitar when they started playing reunion gigs in 2002. Brandsgard now lives in Kansas City. Keyboard player and former US Congressman Jon Porter lives in Washington, D.C. Drummer and Blues Hall of Famer Ardie Strutzenberg lives in Alabama. Guitarist John Callahan still lives in Humboldt and Randy Berka lives in Woodland, CA. Independent photo.
A rock group that started 50-plus years ago will be proving they can still bring it when the 2023 Rock 'N' Picnic kicks off at Joe Sheldon Park in Humboldt next weekend.
The headliner for Saturday night is The Lazy River Band. The band originated in Humboldt in 1969, while the band members were still in high school, and was extremely popular in the early 70's disbanding just before they graduated in 1973.
Larson said the class of ’73 has remained a tight-knit class, keeping in touch with each other and getting together
“We will be having a class reunion that weekend along with several other classes, and it will be wonderful to have the band play again,” Larson said.
Six bands will play during the weekend. Two bands will play Saturday night beginning at about 5:30 p.m. starting with Randy Burk and the Prisoners followed by the Lazy River Band. Sunday the entertainment begins around 2:30 p.m. with Section 7, followed by Ronley King Blues Band, Wild Ambition and Burnin Sensations.
