Jam Band Rocks Fox Theater - Entertainment News Story - KTVU San Francisco

Jam Band Rocks Fox Theater - Entertainment News Story - KTVU San Francisco:

"Widespread Panic

One of the many neo-hippie jam bands which inherited the road-warrior mantle left behind by the Grateful Dead, Georgia-based outfit Widespread Panic established a devout grass-roots following on the strength of constant touring and a loose, rootsy brand of Southern rock informed by jazz and blues textures. The group's origins dated to 1982, when vocalist John Bell and guitarist Mike Houser first began playing together while attending college in Athens, Georgia. The line-up gradually filled out and Widespread Panic was officially born.

The band built up its regional following for several years before finally releasing their energetic debut LP 'Space Wrangler' in 1988 on the tiny Landslide label. After several years of relentless touring, they signed to major label Capricorn, which issued the group's eponymously titled sophomore effort in 1991. A mainstay on the early '90s H.O.R.D.E. tours that cemented the jam-band phenomenon, the group greatly expanded their fan base to more mainstream rock fans.

In June 2002, Widespread Panic returned to the road for their annual summer tour of the States, but within a month, founding member and lead guitarist Michael Houser had to bow out. Houser was battling cancer and returned home to Athens, GA to rest while guitarist George McConnell stepped in to finish the tour. In August of that summer, Houser succumbed to complications from pancreatic cancer at the age of 40.

The band soldiered on in accordance with Houser's wishes and was inspired to release its strongest effort yet, 'Ball,' the following year. Widespread Panic remain one of the most entertaining improv-heavy rock bands on the scene, as these three shows at the Fox Theater in Oakland will demonstrate." Sphere: Related Content