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Simon Kirke brings classic rock to The Center’s stage

Simon Kirke brings classic rock to The Center’s stage

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island was rocking June 11 as Simon Kirke and The Empty Pockets took the stage for the second show in the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series.

The show was the first show that Kirke of Bad Company and Free fame and the Chicago-based The Empty Pockets had played in more than a year, since the COVID-19 pandemic brought live music to a halt in early 2020.

Captiva Island musician Johnny Jensen kicked off the show, followed by a short set from The Empty Pockets before Kirke joined them on stage.

During the set, Kirke played some of his greatest hits including “Movin’ On,” “Ready for Love,” “Bad Company,” “Shooting Star,” and even a Bob Marley-inspired reggae version of “Feel Like Making Love.” The crowd was already dancing but they really got on their feet and danced during an encore performance of “Alright Now.”

Kirke appeared as a part of the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series brought to Anna Maria Island by the Bradenton Area Convention Center and The Sandbar Restaurant.

The next show on the schedule is Steve Augeri of Journey on June 17 followed by the final performance of the season, The Grass Roots on July 2.

For more information on the concert series or to purchase tickets, visit The Center’s event page.

Bad Company’s Simon Kirke plays a Bob Marley-inspired version of the hit “Feel Like Making Love” with The Empty Pockets during a show at The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Bad Company’s Simon Kirke plays a Bob Marley-inspired version of the hit “Feel Like Making Love” with The Empty Pockets during a show at The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Prior to Simon Kirke taking the stage, The Empty Pockets helped warm up the crowd with a few of their own songs. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Prior to Simon Kirke taking the stage, The Empty Pockets helped warm up the crowd with a few of their own songs. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke entertains the audience with one of his many stories of life on the road. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke entertains the audience with one of his many stories of life on the road. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke takes a moment to slow things down by playing “Maria”, a love song that he wrote for his wife. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke takes a moment to slow things down by playing “Maria”, a love song that he wrote for his wife. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke jams out with Josh Solomon of The Empty Pockets. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke jams out with Josh Solomon of The Empty Pockets. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Rock and roll legend Simon Kirke plays some of his biggest hits with The Empty Pockets as a part of the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series at The Center. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Rock and roll legend Simon Kirke plays some of his biggest hits with The Empty Pockets as a part of the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series at The Center. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke of Bad Company and Free rocks out on the drum kit during a rendition of “Movin’ On” at The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Kristin Swain | Sun

Simon Kirke of Bad Company and Free rocks out on the drum kit during a rendition of “Movin’ On” at The Center of Anna Maria Island. - Kristin Swain | Sun

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Rock legend to play The Center

Rock legend to play The Center

Rock legend to play The Center

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Archives.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Center of Anna Maria Island is going to rock this Friday night as legendary musician Simon Kirke takes the stage with Chicago-based band The Empty Pockets.

Kirke, one of the founding members of rock bands Bad Company and Free, will headline the show June 11 as a part of the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series presented by the Bradenton Area Convention Center and Visitors Bureau along with The Sandbar Restaurant.

The show will be the first one Kirke’s played since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down entertainment venues and concert tours in early 2020. And after nearly 15 months without a live show, the rock icon said he’s looking forward to getting back on the stage and playing some of his best-known hits from his solo career, Bad Company and Free. Some of those hits include “Alright Now” from Free, “Bad Company,” “Ready for Love,” “Shooting Star” and “Feel Like Making Love” from Bad Company. And with the crowd singing along to his songs, Kirke said hearing and playing the hits still gives him a thrill, inspiring him to keep performing for audiences.

During the show, Kirke won’t just be rocking the stage from his drum kit, the multi-talented musician said he’ll also be singing during the set, which he said brings back memories of his years performing with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band. In addition to the drums, Kirke also plays guitar and keyboard.

The show at The Center will be Kirke’s first trip to Anna Maria Island, something he says he’s excited about.

“I’m very much looking forward to coming down there,” he said in a June 4 talk with The Sun.

Kirke’s been in the music industry for about 50 years. After making a deal with his parents to either find a gig as a drummer with a band or go to college, Kirke said the decision nearly came down to his two-year deadline before he found a place playing with the Black Cat Bones. And it’s all been uphill from there, though if he had lost the wager with his parents and gone to university, Kirke said he thinks he would have pursued photojournalism.

“I’ve had a lot of good breaks in my life,” he said, “but I’m of the opinion that somewhere along the way you make your own luck and I think that’s what happened to me. I’ve been very lucky to go from Free in 1973 to go to Bad Company.”

Kirke has been a member of Bad Company since its formation in 1974.

Of the upcoming show at The Center, Kirke said he’s very much anticipating the June 11 concert and getting back in the groove of performing live.

“I’m really looking forward to reuniting with The Empty Pockets,” he said. “They’re so diverse. They have an amazing songbook. They’re all wonderful instrumentalists.”

“Also performing. I love performing,” Kirke added.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the music beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $60-75 each online. The concert will take place on the field at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, rain or shine. Make sure to bring your own lawn chair and a face mask to use when not able to social distance. No outside drinks will be permitted though The Sandbar will have a cash bar onsite. Street parking and complimentary valet parking are available.