Uncle Joe Benson at the ArrowFest 2003, 10/4/03.
October 4, 2003: Over 16,000 rocked the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine at the sold-out Budweiser Arrowfest 2003. The Uncle Joe's Race cars were on display with a NASCAR Winston Cup car and NHRA Mustang Funny Car at the Automobile Club of Southern California Motorsports area. With the sun breaking through a light cloud cover, the music started with Led Zepagain and Which One's Pink, two of the best Rock cover bands ever. The main event kicked off with Eddie Money rocking the main stage. Then it was Cheap Trick's turn, with Rick Nielsen pulling out his legendary Checkerboard Hamer 5 Neck guitar for an ear shattering set. Time for another beer break? Not so fast Chuckie, next up was Foreigner's Lou Gramm. During Lou's set, the mighty fine chaps from Yes detoured backstage where they admired the Yard House beer truck while chatting with yer Unc. Then they put on a grand display of musicianship reflecting their 35 years experience. The icing on the cake was Journey taking the stage by storm. In all my years of concerts, I have never seen so many Southern Californian fans stay throughout an entire show, actually not trying to be first out of the parking lot! What a set!! Of course, the whole Arrow 93 crew was on hand announcing each band on stage, and rumor has it that ears were ringing clear into Monday morning drive time. Another Classic night of Classic Rock!
(Photos by 'Digital' Bill McDermott, Sioux-z Jessup and Mary Price)
Budweiser Arrowfest 2003.
Eddie Money just before taking the stage,
and Cheap Trick in mid-set.
Alan White, Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson of Yes
choose their favorite brews while on the air with Unc.
Journey's Steve Augeri & Neal Schon chat with J.B.,
then take the stage.
J.B. with the Uncle Joe's Racing 1994 Nissan 300ZX
and Randy Balough with the Uncle Joe's Racing 1957 Corvette
at the Automobile Club of Southern California Motorsports display.
Some of the Arrow air staff at the event:
J.B. & Sheri Donovan about to go on the air, and
Sioux-z Jessup, Unc, Mary Price, Rich Hudson and Lilly Sheen.
Chad hangs as
Music Director Clark Macy edits Joe's verbage and
Promotion Director Jamie Alvarez either
hangs on J.B.'s every word or thinks he's crazy.
Meeting folks at the
Automobile Club of Southern California Motorsports display.
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