PHILADELPHIA (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Rock producer and historian Denny Somach announced the establishment of The Classic Rock Society of America this week.
CRSA is developing as an organization devoted to the preservation, promotion and celebration of classic rock music by the artists, musicians, producers and fans. It will act as a resource center for students and teachers, enabling further enhancement of the study of classic rock in colleges and universities.
CRSA was inspired by the UK’s Classic Rock Society, with a membership of thousands, and Classic Rock magazine, a publisher, recording label and music promoter. The UK’s Classic Rock Magazine presents a number of live shows, including the recent High Voltage Festival, which featured ZZ Top, Foreigner, Asia, Bachman-Turner, Uriah Heep, Argent and a reformed Emerson, Lake and Palmer to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Rick Wakeman is the honorary Chairman of the U.K. Classic Rock Society. “When I contacted him about the Classic Rock Society of America we were launching, he immediately lent his support and thought it was about time something like this was established in America," said Somach according to the press release. Other founding board members of the U.K. Classic Rock Society including John Wetton of Asia and Dave Cousins of the Strawbs have also publicly announced their support.
The Classic Rock Society of America will debut as an interactive web site and radio channel. It will also include marketing and promotion entities. The virtual society will eventually have a physical location where musicians and fans can visit. “We have already been contacted by a couple of municipal development organizations about locating a facility in their communities," said Somach.
— Crystal Lynn Huntoon