Video: The School of Rock Lynn closed its tribute show to The Rolling Stones with the band’s iconic hit “Paint It Black.”
Photo: The Lynn English High School JROTC starts the Clock to the Rock 5K at Central Square in Lynn. (Photo by Paula Muller)
By Leah Dearborn
LYNN — Despite a little rain, no one was crying “gimme shelter” Saturday morning as rock ‘n’ roll and running combined to turn Central Square into a fun, albeit wet place to be.
The Clock to the Rock 5K from Central Square to Red Rock Park and back got off to an electric start thanks to a melodic boost from School of Rock musicians dubbed “The Young Stones,” who took the race crowd’s attention away from the weather while paying tribute to the The Rolling Stones’ half century-old Lynn connection.
You might recall that the British rockers played a June 24, 1966 Manning Bowl concert cut short by thunderstorms. The show degenerated into a melee complete with tear gas.
In May, The Daily Item commemorated the infamous show by transforming its front page into an open letter to the band inviting them to come back and finish the show. While the legendary rockers haven’t (yet) responded, School of Rock’s young musicians came to the emotional rescue of a city that’s been waiting five decades to hear Stones’ songs live in concert.
The real Stones didn’t respond, but the “The Young Stones” didn’t let wet weather chase them off stage as they reeled off a selection of the band’s hits.
“We’re still hoping that (the Stones will) show,” said David Galatis, School of Rock general manager, expressing hope that Mick Jagger and the boys would join his students on stage. “The stage is open and they’re welcome to join us.”
The “Young Stones” crafted song selections for Saturday that melded the original set list the Stones were scheduled to play 50 years ago with a few hits from later in their career.
Melina Laganas, 14, a student at Marblehead Veterans Middle School, embraced the chance to step into Jagger’s high-heel sneakers as the upstart band’s lead singer.
“I love them so much,” said Laganas about the Stones and their music.
Adam Lynch, 16, and Thomas Wallace, 17, both students at Lynn English High School, Troy Welling, 16, who attends Salem High, and Thomas Martin, 16, a student at St. John’s Prep, completed the band lineup.
The band was in good spirits and, unlike the original Stones, weren’t bothered by the weather. “As long the equipment is fine, we’re fine. We’ve got a tent,” said Wallace.
Kate Luchini, director of the Downtown Lynn Cultural District, said Clock to the Rock was moved to a Saturday this year for the first time as a way of expanding and bringing a new festival element to the race.
The Kids’ Fun Run race was canceled due to the rain, but the few young participants who showed up were still given numbers and allowed to run on their own terms.
Ashley Rivera, 11, was one runner who wasn’t dissuaded by a little bit of water. Equipped with a Garmin Vivofit activity tracker, Rivera proudly announced that she could run a mile in less than five minutes.
Race Director Carrie Bochnak said starting the race in the Cultural District was a way to draw interest to downtown businesses and give runners a chance to hit some of Lynn’s most scenic points in a route that passed Victorian-era houses and moved through neighborhoods off Lynn Shore Drive.
The Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Lynn English High School signed up cadets to run the race and participate as volunteers.
Liz Sempertiguez, 17, said the race was a good marker to kick off the beginning of the JROTC’s physical fitness conditioning season. Sempertiguez said running as a single unit can be challenging, but it’s also a useful exercise.
“You never know what pace you can run at if you don’t do it,” she said.
Close to 100 runners registered for the race despite the rain, said Luchini, equaling an attendance rate that was similar to previous years.
John Ayers, who has won the 5K in the past, placed first. “I’ll always be a Lynn boy at heart,” said Ayers after the race.