Photo by Elizabeth Connolly
By Elizabeth Connolly
Hometown Weekly Reporter
For many years now - finding the origin date proved to be a challenging task, though some evidence suggests they may date back as far as the 1990’s - Concerts on the Common have been a summer tradition in downtown Walpole. This beloved series brings a different band to the town common, by the gazebo, almost every Tuesday evening in July and August, with the exception of National Night Out.
Recently, the RetroRockets brought their oldies/classic rock sound to the stage, and it was a well-attended event, despite the hot, humid, late-July temps. Some groups of families and friends brought big blankets to spread out on, while others brought their own chairs. A few other folks took advantage of the permanent stone seating in the area. Almost everyone had a water vessel of some sort, given the heat, but snacking options ranged from picnics to take-out from nearby restaurants.
Favorites from The Clovers, The Monkees, Jimmy Dean, and The Beatles quickly got the crowd bobbing their heads and tapping their toes. The RetroRockets were lively and entertaining; a breath of fresh air on such a warm summer evening.
“I had to come, because this is my music, from my generation,” one concertgoer said. “It just makes me feel great!”
According to the RetroRockets Facebook page: “Together since the winter of 2006-07, the Retro Rockets perform classic rock and oldies with an ear toward presenting old favorites mixed with popular, recognizable songs that you don’t hear everyday. This fresh approach keeps the RetroRockets interesting, and not just another band playing the same old tunes. We feature songs from the ‘80’s and into the ‘90’s, as well as songs from the ‘70’s, the ‘60’s -- including a good selection of British Invasion -- and some rockabilly from the ’50’s. The members of the band play multiple instruments, and all provide lead vocals and harmony.”
Concerts on the Common take place every Tuesday evening through August 26th from 6-8pm. All concerts take place on the town common, with the exception of August 5th, which was held at Stone Field in concurrence with National Night Out. Parallel parking is available throughout downtown or find spots in the large municipal lot behind the fire station. Chairs and blankets are encouraged!
