ORION TWP, Mich. – On Thursday, July 11, 2024, the tribute band Fifty Amp Fuse performed classic pop and rock hits at Orion Township’s Wildwood Amphitheatre. The set included classic songs such as “Brandy (You’re A Fine Girl),” by Looking Glass, “How long” by Ace, “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor and “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls. The last two songs, were accompanied by one of the bands three lead vocalists, Barb “Barbie” Alent.
Alent’s vocal range is impressive for a cover band, there’s no doubt she is talented when she is slinging out beautiful melodies on rock-tinged covers of “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele and “One Way Or Another” by Blondie.
Alent is not the only talented vocalist in the six-person band, lead vocalist Ethan “Chef” Phoenix brings the heat as his soulful and impactful vocals kick off more pop-heavy cuts that the band played. Songs like Cee-lo Green’s “Forget You,” Bruno Mars’s “Locked Out of Heaven” and “Roxanne” by The Police, all demonstrate Phoenix’s unique vocal style and talent on the big stage.
Alent and Phoenix occasionally performed duets, like on the bands cover of “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N Roses.
Other members of the band include band leader and guitarist, Remy Lambert, drummer Steve Cooley and bassist Chris Smith.
Lambert in particular was a joy to see on stage. His stage presence along with the audience interaction – always encouraging dancing and having fun – was a welcome feature of that night’s performance.
Alent and the other band members played “You Shook Me All Night Long” by AC/DC and closed off the set with everyone on stage – Alent, Phoenix and Lambert took charge with vocals – and played the decadent “Fat Bottomed Girls” by Queen.
All of the members played and performed their hearts out on stage, delivering quality covers to residents, families and music lovers of the Orion area.
The next Wildwood event will be a concert performance by Cast Iron Cornbread, covering pop, rock and blues Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Next week a free screening on the 2023 movie “Barbie” will be held at the Amphitheatre on Thursday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m.
For more information about free events like these put on by the township, visit orionparks.com.