A bass player who sounded a lot like Roger Waters took the microphone at Northridge Park on Friday, June 1st, addressing the audience as follows: “So ya thought ya might like to go to the show – to feel the warm thrill of confusion – that space cadet glow …” So was that an authentic British band up on stage, invoking “In the Flesh” from The Wall, or was it a reasonable facsimile thereof? Ah yes, ’twas a tribute – verily, today’s truest flattery – in the form of local Pink Floyd replicates’ Which One’s Pink?, followed by another standout tribute act, Led Zepagain. Making the lineup that much more interesting was the fact that one particularly versatile guitarist, longtime cover-king Steve Zukowsky, did double duty by playing in both bands.
The show was part of the “Salute to Recreation” celebration at the park, following a festive day of family fun in the sun. Which One’s Pink? played for about an hour, bringing to life a fair range of Pink Floyd favorites, including several cuts from Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. With Paul Samarin standing in the stead of Waters, and John Stack filling the role of guitarist David Gilmour, the band brought a full-color, high-quality sound, with Stack’s leads eliciting nods of appreciation from both ’teen-age skaters and aging hippies. Touted as “a fair forgery of Pink Floyd,” the group was rounded out by Marty Brumer’s percussion, and keys from Larry Isenberg and Nick Feduska. The polished ensemble gave the open-air crowd a warm “Welcome to the Machine,” and etched expert renditions of “Money” and “Time.” Ultimately, with evening closing in, Which One’s Pink? left onlookers “Comfortably Numb.”
After a quick change into a dragon-emblazoned outfit, Steve Zukowsky picked up a double-necked axe to assume his second rockin’ identity, becoming a West Coast incarnation of guitar wizard Jimmy Page. Steve was joined by his Led Zepagain band mates to hammer out a hefty handful of classic hits from the mighty masters, Led Zeppelin. Irishman David Swan Montgomery swaggered like Robert Plant in his prime, belting out “Rock and Roll” to the accompaniment of bobbing heads and pumping fists in the audience. Jim Kersey, portraying the late drum powerhouse John Bonham, was relentless in his assault on the skins during beat-heavy songs such as “When the Levee Breaks.” Virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Jim Wooten displayed dynamic technique in emulating John Paul Jones on bass, keyboards, and mandolin.
A highlight of the show was when a youngster from the crowd joined in with the fellows for a sizzling version of “Heartbreaker,” symbolically carrying the torch from generation to generation. The light was kept brightly lit through to the end, when attendees were regaled by the ever-inspirational “Stairway to Heaven,” making all at the free Northridge Park concert feel they had indeed experienced Led Zep – again!
