On April 27th and 28th the Uptown Music Collective will take the stage at the Community Arts Center to perform the music of the group frequently called the “The Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World,” The Rolling Stones. The performance, Gimme Shelter: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones, will feature Uptown Music Collective students bringing some of the groups greatest hits to life on the CAC stage, with all of the passion, skill, and intensity that they are known for. This show is sponsored in part by Murray Motors & Woodlands Bank.

The Rolling Stones were formed in London, England in 1962. They first made a huge noise in the United States as part of the 1964 British Invasion, and have continued on to become an international sensation that has sold over 240 million albums worldwide. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, The Rolling Stones have a seemingly endless number of classic rock hits, including Satisfaction, Ruby Tuesday, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Some Girls, Start Me Up, Honky Tonk Women, Get Off My Cloud, and many more. The original group was rooted in blues and early rock and roll and consisted of guitarist Brian Jones, vocalist Mick Jagger, guitarist Keith Richards, bassist Bill Wyman, drummer Charlie Watts (drums), and pianist Ian Stewart. In the 55 years since their founding, there have been many other musicians who have joined and left the lineup. Today the core group still consists of the songwriting team of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, along with guitarist Ronnie Wood who joined the group in 1975.

“While fashions have come and gone, and musical styles have risen and disappeared, the Rolling Stones have stayed true to their blues and rock & roll roots,” said Dave Brumbaugh, Executive Director of the Uptown Music Collective. “Their commitment and consistency, alongside their outstanding songwriting have a lot to do with their longevity. If you’ve seen the Stones live you know that they are an amazing whirlwind of energy, even at their current age. Our students are going to have to bring every ounce of energy and passion they can muster to live up to the legacy of the Greatest Rock and Roll Band in the World.”

Gimme Shelter: A Tribute to the Rolling Stones will feature Collective students who have been diligently preparing for this event for over two months. Along with the live music, there will be a professional grade light and sound show organized by the students themselves. As with all Uptown Music Collective performances, the students are not only the performers but also direct the show. There is also a group of younger students, called “Tech Monkeys” who will serve as stage technicians and spotlight operators. The cast for the show is drawn from the Uptown Music Collective’s much heralded Special Performance Group 1. The students have set a goal to get 1500 people see the show over its two-night run.

This show is being produced by Collective Senior, Nate Schreffler (Sullivan County High School). It is directed by Uptown Music Collective Senior David Montis (St, John Neumann), and Junior, Tate Berkey (Danville H.S.). & along with a leadership committee that includes UMC students Alexis Carnevale (WAHS), Cade Palmatier (Jersey Shore H.S.), David Chubirka (Montoursville Area H.S), Chloe Taylor (Montoursville Area H.S.), Enso Tran (WAHS), Isabella Cole (Loyalsock Township H.S.), Izzy Brumbaugh (WAHS), and Emily LaCerra (Loyalsock Township H.S.).

“The Rolling Stones have always been a band I’ve admired,” says UMC Student, Molly Chapman, a 15-year-old from Montoursville Area High School. “It wasn’t the music that hooked me, it was more the confidence of the band. Their music isn’t necessarily difficult, but it’s fun to perform and listen to. I remember helping with tech at the last Rolling Stones tribute we did and being completely awed by the performers and how energetic they were. Now that I get to perform the music, I’m excited to relay that energy on my own.”

Tickets for the performance are $15.00 in advance and $20.00 on performance nights. Advance tickets are available at the Community Arts Center (Box Office, Website, & App), Alabaster Coffee, K&S Music, Buttorff’s Hardware, Catch-All Self Storage, Rupert’s Specialty Meats, Way Cool Beans, Hoyer’s Photo, and the Uptown Music Collective

For the complete list of ticket vendors, sponsors, and other details about the show visit uptownmusic.org or call 570-329-0888. Also, check out Collective’s official Facebook page, as well as other Collective social media outlets for teasers, previews, behind the scenes info and more from the performance.