Hillis: Meeting Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl made my day
Those who frequent area beach towns have become accustomed to the sight of nationally known celebrities — both on and off the stage.
I had a brief but memorable encounter with Foo Fighters and Nirvana icon Dave Grohl on Sunday, July 31.
It made my day, to say the least.
I ran into the famed rocker in downtown Rehoboth Beach, where he was wandering around with a large group of friends and relatives. He has been spending summer vacations in the area for the better part of the past decade, just as he and his family did when he was a youngster growing up in the Washington, D.C., area. In summer 2014, the Foo Fighters headlined that year's edition of the mammoth Firefly Music Festival in Dover in front of tens of thousands of spectators.
Grohl is a friendly, jovial fellow and frequents many local businesses each year. He popped up in Dewey Beach on the afternoon of Saturday, July 30, talking to a large group of fans outside on McKinley Street behind the Bottle & Cork nightclub.
Another rocker who visited Rehoboth recently was singer-songwriter Tommy Stinson, who played a last-minute surprise set at the Dogfish Head brewpub on Wednesday, July 27. Stinson is known as the bassist and co-founder of alternative rockers The Replacements, and also spent years playing bass for Guns 'N' Roses. (Stinson was seen in the crowd cheering on his former G 'N' R bandmates at their show in Philadelphia last month). Stinson played Dewey's Bottle & Cork in 2015 as the opening act for his good friend Rhett Miller of The Old 97's.
Now it's Miller's turn to play a free acoustic concert in Rehoboth at Dogfish on Friday, Aug. 5, which is certain to be packed to the rafters.
READ MORE:Rhet Miller returns to Delmarva for solo album concert
In Ocean City, the Seacrets nightclub is gearing up for its annual appearance by reggae-rap favorite Collie Buddz on Wednesday, Aug. 10 ($15). G. Love & Special Sauce will play Seacrets on Sunday, Aug. 14 ($20), followed by the return of SOJA on Wednesday, Aug. 17 ($40).
Looking ahead a few weeks, Peppers Tavern on the Ocean City Boardwalk has announced a punk rock-flavored triple bill set for Saturday, Aug. 27. Singer-guitarist Joe Jack Talcum of The Dead Milkmen ("Punk Rock Girl," "Bitchin' Camaro") will headline, following sets by Rehoboth Beach's own Mirrors & Wires and Philly-based Sherwin. We'll have more on that in the coming weeks.
Back in Dewey Beach, the Bottle & Cork will feature country starlet Clare Dunn on Thursday, Aug. 11 ($15). Grateful Dead tribute act Dark Star Orchestra has a two-nighter set for Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 8-9 (both shows are $25 in advance, $28 at the door). The Cork's sister business, the Rusty Rudder will present a free concert by country act Dorado (formerly Chasin' Crazy) on Wednesday, Aug. 10.
Email Roger Hillis at rogerhillis@gmail.com
This Week's Must-See List
Rhett Miller of The Old 97's at Dogfish Head in Rehoboth Beach at 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5. Free
Collie Buddz at Seacrets in Ocean City at 10 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. $15
Dorado (formerly Chasin' Crazy) at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10. Free
Tommy Edwards Band featuring Melissa Rose at B.J.'s On the Water in Ocean City at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6. Free
Clare Dunn at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11. $15