WILMINGTON — Start with nationally known bands and top regional ones, add lots of food, drinks and family fun, then mix in perfect weather and Clinton County had the perfect formula for a successful two-day Rock the Block ‘21 all the way around.
“I’m thinking we had about 6,000 over the weekend,” said Susan Valentine-Scott, Executive Director of the Clinton County Convention & Visitors Bureau. “What a spectacle, and my vision came to fruition.
“I’m so proud of our community for accepting this,” she said of the now-annual event which, like most others, had to be canceled last year due to COVID-19.
On Saturday the music began at noon on Sugartree Street, moved inside to the Murphy Theatre for the shows by Winger and by Autograph, and culminated on the main stage on Main Street to around midnight featuring the Dirty Deeds AC/DC tribute band followed by headliner Quiet Riot.
The CVB also made a big announcement for next year’s Rock the Block: the headliner will be Night Ranger.
Formed in San Francisco in 1979, the group became known as Night Ranger in 1982 and has had two Platinum albums and one Gold album.
The group is best-known for hits including “Sister Christian”, “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me”, “When You Close Your Eyes” and “(You Can Still) Rock In America”, along with “Sentimental Street”, “Goodbye”, “Sing Me Away”, and “Four in the Morning”.
Night Ranger’s music has been featured in every form of media including: TV shows “American Dad”, “Glee”, “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Parks & Recreation”; feature films such as “Friday the 13th”, “Teachers”, “Boogie Nights”, “Sixteen Candles”, and “The Secret of My Success”; video games including Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Grand Theft Auto; and the hit Broadway musical “Rock of Ages.”
Stryper will open for Night Ranger. The group, known as a Christian metal band, was formed in 1983 in Orange County, California and has featured one platinum and two Gold albums.
A pre-launch ticket sale through the Murphy Theatre will be announced at a later date, Valentine-Scott said.
