Melissa Stewart
It was the mid-nineties: Rich Vogel and Richard Mercurio were not New Orleans natives, but over the course of their times at Tulane and Loyola, respectively, they came to know the Crescent City music scene as well as anybody. And the place, the scene for live music, they knew, was Tipitina’s. “It held just a huge variety of music, and had a huge impact on all of us,” said Vogel. “We were just young kids running around eating up live music ... wanting to play.”
The pair, Vogel an organist and Mercurio a bassist, joined up with saxophonist/harmonica player Ben Ellman, guitarist Jeff Raines, drummer Stanton Moore, and vocalist Theryl DeClouet to create the New Orleans funk band Galactic. And it didn’t take them long to land on the stage of their favorite juke joint, opening for the California funk band War.
Twenty years later, Galactic brings their unique fusion of traditional NOLA flavor and electronic instrumentation all across the country and has become a Tipitina’s staple, a New Orleans tradition for marathon shows on Lundi Gras, Halloween, Jazz Fest, and New Year’s Eve.
Now, Galactic’s history with Tipitina’s is entering yet another chapter. In early December, the band announced its official purchase of the iconic venue—a development coinciding with the upcoming release of their new album Already Ready Already in February 2019.
“New year, new record, new tour, new business,” said Vogel. “New energy for Galactic.”
Vogel added that the band is committed to preserving the legacy of Tipitina’s and its role in New Orleans culture and tradition, but that he is also excited at opportunities for growth. “We’d like to bring Tipitina’s back to its heyday,” he said. “More great music, more nights—with the only common denominator being great music. Not genre, not specific artists, not local vs. national. Just the best music experience we can provide.”
Galactic is celebrating their new ownership of Tipitina's with a traditional New Year's Eve Bash. Visit our calendar for more information!
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