Speculation is running rampant about who will headline Harley's secret concert at Veteran's Park on Aug. 31, and Harley claims that only four people in the company know the identity of the alleged mega-artist booked.
It's likely that Harley is telling the truth. After all, if only four people know, leaks are much less likely. Most support staff: sound men, etc. don't need to know in advance and so likely won't be told.
One local musician, who has numerous ties to sound men, bands and booking agents and has asked to remain anonymous says, "The latest I've heard is that there will be three huge acts, from three popular genres. I guess that means rock, country and R&B? Everybody I know, who's in the know, says that they will be sworn to secrecy."
Of course, Harley-Davidson isn't budging.
So, OnMilwaukee.com has decided to speculate, too. We dug up the itineraries of a host of big names and weighed the possibility and likelihood of their appearing.
For our money, we think the odds are good for Elton John and, perhaps, Billy Joel.
Tim McGraw would also be a major score for Harley-straddlin' country fans.
The Stones remain on the map, but as a very long shot.
Of course, your speculation is welcome (and encouraged) through the talkback feature at the bottom of the article.
| Artist | Availability | Likelihood |
| Eric Clapton | No gigs until Japanese tour in November | Slowhand would be a favorite among the Harley fans and he's got some free time. |
| Tom Petty | Not touring | Anybody without tour dates scheduled can likely pencil in a good-paying, one-off gig like this. |
| Alan Jackson | Plays August 29 in Canada and September 19 at a Connecticut casino | Jackson's free but his white hat might stand out in a sea of black leather. |
| Tim McGraw | Only announced gig is September 14 at Louisiana's Swampstock | Again, he's got the date open in his calendar, unless Faith Hill has him plowing the back 40 at their Beverly Hills place. |
| 50 Cent | Two weeks off between August 30's Coors Light Mountain Jam at Red Rocks and the start of a European tour | 50 Cent is probably small change for the Harley crowd that wants something skewed a bit older and less confrontational. Although he does have that old-school Brewers hat. Hmmm. |
| Bob Dylan | Ends a U.S. jaunt in Syracuse on August 22 and starts a European one in Helsinki on October 9 | Dylan's wide open and would certainly be a favorite among traditional Harley riders. Even the doctors and lawyers might fancy him. |
| The Dead | Only announced gig is in Irvine, California on September 18 | Recent Summerfest appearance would seem to rule them out. |
| The Who | Not touring | What? |
| Peter Gabriel | Not touring | Not likely as he was just here at Summerfest and failed to sell out. |
| Cher | Playin' Vegas, baby | Too bad she's booked in Vegas on August 31 as part of her 6-year farewell tour, her black leather strut would be just the thing to get the good old boys goin.' |
| Phish | Not touring | They're probably busy with solo projects or polishing their axes. |
| Sting | His October 2 "Today Show" appearance is the only announced performance | Would it be right to have a Brit who once starred as a devoted Mod scooter-jockey? |
| Lynyrd Skynyrd | Starts a string of dates in Trenton, New Jersey on September 16 | After the plane went down, Skynyrd's stock sank and now, despite TV commercials for greatest hits packages, they're little more than a county fair band. But, a second show at the celebrations would truly be a surprise! |
| Beach Boys | No shows between ones in California on August 23 and September 4 | Certainly faves with the older Harley crowd. But if it's Mike Love and company, why set up 24,000 seats in 2003? |
| David Bowie | Plays Poughkeepsie, New York on August 19 and launches a European tour in Denmark on October 7 | Big name, but again, a British performer who would probably rank as second-tier with the Harley crowd. His androgynous, vaguely homosexual era might make buttless chaps-wearing hog riders a little nervous. |
| Crosby, Stills & Nash | An Ohio date on August 31 is followed by a couple off days before a show at New York's Lincoln Center on September 3 | Big names with former hippies and outlaws, perhaps, but likely a little too mellow and a less superstar these days than back at Woodstock. Also recently in town. Anyway, they're booked. |
| Rolling Stones | London two nights before Harley concert and Glasgow the night after | Bands have made this sort of transatlantic leap before, so it's possible. But if I were Mick, I wouldn't fly over on two off-days for a Midwest gig, no matter what it pays. Especially now that the Concorde has been grounded. |
| U2 | Not touring | Bono's certainly too busy curing world hunger or chillin' with Pavarotti at his Modena, Italy palazzo. |
| Pearl Jam | Not touring | Probably would be a bigger draw for a slightly younger crowd. But possible despite recent Alpine appearance. |
| The Eagles | Four dates in California, ending August 24 | Now we're talking. What says sensitive outlaw better than "Desperado"? Then there's "Life In The Fast Lane." |
| Bruce Springsteen | Ends a Giants Stadium homestand August 31 and plays some away games at Fenway starting September 6 | The Boss won't likely cancel a hometown gig to play here, when he's coming three weeks later. |
| Jimmy Buffett | Two open weeks following an August 30 gig in Massachusetts | Mellow man Buffett was in town not long ago, but he'd offer a cool summer's end vibe. |
| Elton John & Billy Joel | Only show scheduled is an Andre Agassi-hosted benefit in Vegas on October 4 | Recently published reports make it sound to us like Elton is a good bet, despite his non-Americanness and his openly gay status (see Bowie, above). He and Joel have been touring together and are appearing together at Andre Agassi's Grand Slam for Children in Vegas. A double '70s album-rock whammy for the Harley crowd. |
| Garth Brooks | Not touring | The former king of country might come out of retirement. You never know. |
| Paul McCartney | Not touring | Certainly would be a coup, but there's been no hint at Macca. |
| John Mellencamp | Playing Farm Aid in Ohio on September 7 but no other dates listed | With only Farm Aid on the map, Mellencamp could do it. He'd be perfect. |
| Brooks & Dunn | Gilford, New Hampshire, August 31 | No chance. They're booked! |
| Dave Matthews Band | Playing in Harftord, Connecticut on August 31 | A bit self-indulgent anyway for a crowd that wants a lot of hits and an upbeat, party-style show. |
| ZZ Top | Brookfield, Ohio, August 31 | The bearded band's name has been bandied about but they're booked in Brookfield (Ohio, that is). |
| Christina Aguilera | Sorry, baby, she's in Indy | She's playing the Bradley Center with Justin Timberlake on September 1, so another show the night before would make the announced gig little more than a musical denouement. |
| Britney Spears | In D.C. September 4 for "NFL Kickoff Live" | She's free, but a bit risque, perhaps. Anyway, the Harley folks are probably leaving the kids and grandkids at home. |
| Aerosmith | Playing Hershey, Pennsylvania on August 31 | With Boston's finest rocking Chocolate Town on the 31st, that pretty much rules them out. |
| Pink Floyd | Not touring | Too many lasers might distract planes landing at Mitchell International. |
Note to readers: In case you couldn't tell, this story -- although real and not a joke -- is written with the intention of being at least somewhat humorous (whether or not it is successful is for you to decide). Please take it in the light-hearted spirit in which it's written. Don't get your leathers in a bundle, please. We still think Elton.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
