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Have you ever listened to the same song on repeat for six hours straight? Thirty years ago, Art Fredette and a group of music artists did just that. On Sunday, they finally brought back the unique performance of “Louie Louie.”
“If you can’t be silly for 10 minutes a day, you’re missing out on life,” Fredette said. “Well, we are going to be silly for six hours.”
The marathon brought in musicians and bands across the Capital Region. They all wanted to take part in this one-of-a-kind performance.
“It’s cool to see people’s different takes on the song, and that’s what makes its great,” performer Frank Cavone said. “Louie Louie is a song that translates across all genres and it will be interesting to see what happens today.”
But the event wasn’t just about the music. There was also a good cause behind the madness. Donations were gathered for the Regional Food Bank, which will, in turn, distribute meals to those who need it.
“We’ve gotten out over five million pounds of food and fed over 400,000 people,” Mark Emanatian, a volunteer with the Capital Region Food Bank, said. “This is essential, these fundraising things. And I think this will capture people’s imagination as and they will have a good time here today.”
Thirty years ago, it was free to get into the marathon, but $5 to leave early. While the fee to leave was waived this year, everyone says they were willing to sit through this unique experience knowing how much this event helps.
“People like Art, and all the folk who will play today, and all the people who come, it’s a big deal,” Emanatian said. “So even if I get tired of the song, I won’t let anyone know.”