Wagga has played host to some big names in the music industry but locals say there has been no one to rival the calibre of what is to come this weekend.
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The city’s musical stalwarts have said they can remember only a handful of acts that would rival The Beach Boys in popularity, influence and record sales that have come to Wagga.
AC/DC, INXS, Midnight Oil, KC and the Sunshine Band, Gary Glitter, Crowded House, The Shadows, America, Blood Sweat and Tears and The Bee Gees have all been to Wagga but musician and owner of Allison Music, Dale Allison, said this weekend’s show could be the biggest.
“I don’t know how you class the biggest,” he said.
“By sales alone, The Beach Boys would be.
“I’d say they are the biggest international act that’s come to Wagga.”
Mr Allison said many bands, including the Eurythmics, got their start in Wagga before they were famous.
But bands in the height of their fame, or with the career history of those playing this weekend are rare in this city.
Mr Allison is playing with the local support acts at the show and said he has been speaking to organisers, who are keen to return.
Two more huge names in music could make an appearance in Wagga at the end of the year if this weekend’s gig is supported.
“People need to get behind this,” Mr Allison said.
“We need to support it to make Wagga credible.
“This could be the start of heaps more coming to Wagga … but Wagga has only got one chance at this.”
Owner of Don Tuckwell Audio, Don Tuckwell, agrees with Mr Allison.
“I think those two coming from America (The Beach Boys and The Temptations), they’d be the biggest, without a doubt,” he said.
Mr Tuckwell said if another band was to come and draw a crowd, it would need to appeal to a younger demographic.
“If it’s not successful, I don’t think we will see too many more,” he said.
“They need to start thinking about something to suit the younger people … the people who have more expendable dollars.”