The time travel soundtrack

Iconic acts featured at this year’s Lost in the ’50s

By Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey Reader Staff

American pop culture has proven again and again the power of nostalgia. Movie remakes, band reunions and the return of past fashions have dominated the mainstream as people — wearied by a pandemic, contentious political climate and everything else that comes with being functioning adults — have sought the comforts of the past to ease the ails of the present.

Carolyn Gleason and her army of volunteers were way ahead of the curve, and this weekend will celebrate the 36th year of Lost in the ’50s: Sandpoint’s very own blast into the past meant to reminisce over and celebrate the fashion, cars and music of the era.

As for the music, Lost in the ’50s will bring four acts to the Bonner County Fairgrounds on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20. Doors will open for both shows at 6:30 p.m., with music kicking off at 7:30 p.m.

Friday night will feature Jay Siegel’s Tokens, best known for their soaring harmonies and the 1960s hit “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” as well as La La Brooks, the original lead singer of ’60s girl group The Crystals. Brooks is known for injecting the vocal life into hits like “Then He Kissed Me” and “Da Doo Ron Ron.”

On Saturday night, ’60s vocal group Jay and the Americans will make its Idaho debut at the fairgrounds, gracing vintage music fans with hits like “Come a Little Bit

Closer” and “This Magic Moment.”

Both Friday and Saturday concerts will feature Rocky and the Rollers — known as the Lost in the ’50s “house band” thanks to the decades-long booking partnership and friendship between Gerry “Rocky” Seader and ’50s organizer Gleason.

Rocky and the Rollers is an internationally touring rock ’n’ roll band known for backing up some of the industry’s most successful acts.

Seader told the Reader in 2022 that he still gets “goosebumps” each time he takes the Lost in the ’50s stage, and enjoys the community camaraderie evident at the long-running and well-loved annual event.

“This is my favorite show to do, period,” he said. “I’m not just blowing smoke, OK? This is my favorite show to do — period — every year.”

Tickets to both the Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20 Lost in the ’50s concerts are $55 per night. Purchase tickets by visiting Second Avenue Pizza (215 S. Second Ave.) or by calling 208-2655678 (LOST) or 208-263-9321.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and music begins at 7:30 p.m. each night at the Bonner County Fairgrounds (4203 N. Boyer Road in Sandpoint). Attendees must be 21 years of age or older. For updates, go to facebook.com/lost50s.

A snapshot of notable live music coming up in Sandpoint

Devon Wade Band, The Hive, May 19 Blird, Eichardt’s Pub, May 20

True country music lovers blast the sound of down-home living year round. The rest of us — that’s to say, those who dabble in the genre — might need some warmer weather and longer days before our inner boot-scooter is ready to once again rip up the dance floor.

That makes mid-May the perfect time for the Devon Wade Band to play a summer kickoff show at the Hive the same weekend as Sandpoint’s unofficial summer kickoff: Lost in the ’50s. Playing a mix of originals and covers, DWB leans into the qualities that define country music: good energy, good company and good ol’ real life.

— Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey

Doors at 3 p.m. for Lost in the ’50s festivities, show at 8:45 p.m.; $10 advance, $15 at the door (plus taxes and fees); 21+. The Hive, 207 N. First Ave., 208-920-9039, livefromthehive.com.

There will be plenty of opportunities for Sandpointians to put their glad rags on and rock around the clock for Lost in the ’50s, but local trio Blird will be offering something a little different Saturday, May 20 at Eichardt’s Pub.

The side project of Sandpoint indie band Harold’s IGA, members Cadie Archer, Ben Olson and Josh Vitalie offer up electronic lo-fi shoegaze with a beat, and also throw in a few Harold’s tunes for good measure. Blird’s is an inventive sound that somehow transcends the boundary between mellowing and rocking out — think of it as getting Lost in the Now.

— Zach Hagadone

8-11 p.m., FREE. Eichardt’s Pub, 212 Cedar St., 208-2634005, eichardtspub.com.

I read a number of different authors in the “genre fiction” category, meaning detective novels, courtroom dramas and the “low-hanging fruit” of the critical world. Every once in a while, I’ll stumble upon a gem like the 2003 novel Lost Light by Michael Connelly (of The Lincoln Lawyer fame). Featuring an ex-detective named Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch obsessed with solving a cold murder case from his time as a detective, Lost Light has literary appeal wrapped in a plot-driven story that keeps you guessing.

Read Listen

Fans of the show Portlandia might recognize the theme song “I Feel It All” by Atlanta-based musician Ernest Greene, who plays under the band name Washed Out. Dig deeper into the smooth synth sound and catchy guitar leads of Washed Out and you’ll discover a unique sound that lives somewhere between synth, psychedelic pop, indie and lo-fi EDM. The 2020 release Purple Noon has more of a pop influence, but still has that cool, calm vibe — almost like listening to your headphones under a warm blanket.

Watch

Adult animated shows have the potential to be great, but usually fall short, leaving me wanting a bit more. With HBO Max’s Fired on Mars, I’ve been thoroughly entertained. Luke Wilson does the voice acting for the main character, Jeff Cooper, a graphic designer hired to live and work in a colony on Mars owned by a start-up corporation called Mars.ly. After Jeff is fired from his job and deemed redundant, all hell manages to break loose. I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen from show to show with these wild plot swings. It’s entertaining, jaded and hits just right.

From Pend Oreille Review, May 19, 1911

Masked Men Attempt To Rob Depot Early Monday Morning

Two masked men made a futile attempt to secure money and valuables at the Great Northern depot early Monday morning. D.H. Kenney, third trick operator, was the only employee of the railroad at the station at the time of the attempted robbery.

About 2 o’clock Kenney had occasion to leave the office and entering the waiting room, was surprised to find it occupied by a masked man who promptly pulled a revolver, covered the operator and ordered him to throw up his hands. About this time another masked man appeared on the scene. The first robber turned Kenney over to his accomplice while he proceeded to go through the operator’s pockets. No valuables were found on Kenney’s person and only a bunch of keys, which were his personal property, were found. The robbers made a thorough search of the office looking for valuables, but were unable to unlock the ticket box with the keys secured from Kenney. They asked the operator where the money was kept and ordered him to unlock the ticket box. Kenney told them that the second trick operator had sent all the money to Spokane on the afternoon train and that there was nothing of value in the office. The hold-ups took Kenney at his word, leaving behind them some $40 which was locked up in the ticket box. “Say, don’t put that in the paper,” said Kenney to the Review reporter. “Those fellows might see it and come back again and clean the place up.” Kenney was able to furnish a good description of the would-be robbers and claims that both men seemed nervous and were probably amateurs.