Orleans

Artist Information

Biography

NOTE: Currently, we are available for performances as Orleans (5-piece electric), Orleans Quartet (4-piece semi-acoustic) and/or Orleans & Friends. For further explanation, please see the "set list" page.

BLURB

Orleans - 70s Pop/Rock icons "still havin' fun" 40 years later.

ORLEANS BIO – August, 2012

The SHORT STORY

Orleans is best known as the 70s Pop/Rock band that brought you the classic hits Still The One, Dance With Me and Love Takes Time. Now in it's 40th year, Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 16 albums and several DVDs. The band continues to be in great demand internationally for live performances, as they have been for four decades.

Here in 2012, Orleans experienced a tragedy in the sudden passing of co-founder Larry Hoppen on July 24th. While there is no replacing Larry, the decision was made to somehow continue to perform the remaining shows of this year's calendar. Co-founder Lance Hoppen, along with current members Lane Hoppen, Fly Amero and Charlie Morgan are now rejoined by co-founder John Hall in order to finish with dignity and integrity what was started 40 years ago.


The LONGER STORY

Orleans is best known as the 70s Pop/Rock band that brought you the classic hits Still The One, Dance With Me and Love Takes Time. Now in it's 40th year and counting, Orleans has produced a body of work spanning 16 albums and several DVDs. The band continues to be in great demand internationally for live performances, as they have been for nearly four decades.

Orleans began as a trio in 1972 in Woodstock NY. Guitarist John Hall, drummer Wells Kelly and multi-instrumentalist Larry Hoppen played tirelessly all over the Northeast and up / down the "East Coast Corridor” for nine months, then added Lance Hoppen (Larry’s younger brother) fresh out of high school on bass to form the quartet that would record its debut LP in 1973 at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studio in Alabama.

During the rest of the 1970s Orleans released several more albums, which included the megahits “Dance With Me”, “Still The One” and “Love Takes Time” among other radio staples. Showcasing vocal and instrumental strengths while touring with artists such as Jackson Browne, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Marshall Tucker Band, Chicago and numerous others, they expanded their fan base by going well beyond the radio songs.

One of the many signatures of Orleans was and still is harmony guitar riffs, with two serious players trading rhythm and lead between them, all seamlessly. Larry and John were, for most of this still–active band’s 40-year-and–counting career, those players. Another signature has always been the group's vocal harmonies and sound, including Larry's soaring tenor, the voice of the radio hits.

When John left for a solo stint in 1977, Orleans found Dennis “Fly’ Amero; a lefty, upside-down Strat player (in the manner of Jimi Hendrix) who took over for several years.

After original drummer Wells Kelly passed away in October 1984, Larry, Lance and John played at his Memorial event. Out of this, they decided to work together as Orleans again, starting with a Nashville album. From 1985 through 2006 (when John was elected to the US Congress – D, NY-19) the group always included the three surviving original members. Over those years, another 8 albums were released, always containing new material.

In 2000 the band added third brother Lane Hoppen as a permanent member. Shortly after, Charlie Morgan – drummer with Elton John for 13 years – also joined the group.

Early in 2006, as John Hall began his election campaign, Fly Amero was asked back by the band, roughly 25 years after Fly’s "first term". He agreed, and a smooth transition ensued. (Orleans’ 2006 “We’re Still Havin’ Fun” DVD features BOTH John and Fly.) Besides being a great guitarist, songwriter and singer with a strong blues/R&B soulful tilt, Fly is great with a crowd and has a Gold Record for comedy music featuring his parody lyrics.

Here in 2012, Orleans experienced another tragedy in the sudden passing of co-founder Larry Hoppen on July 24th. While there is no replacing Larry, the decision was made to somehow continue to perform the remaining shows of this year's calendar. Current members Lance and Lane Hoppen, Fly Amero and Charlie Morgan are now rejoined by co-founder John Hall in order to finish with dignity and integrity what was started 40 years ago.


For much more on this classic American band, visit www.OrleansOnline.com

Instrumentation

Lance Hoppen - Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Lead & Backing Vocals
Lane Hoppen - Backing Vocals, keyboards, and trumpet
Dennis "Fly" Amero - Lead & Backing Vocals, Electric & acoustic guitars
Charlie Morgan - Drums & Percussion
John Hall - electric and acoustic guitars, Lead and Backing Vocals

Discography

1973 - Orleans
1974 - Orleans 2
1975 - Let There Be Music (inc. Dance With Me)
1976 - Waking & Dreaming (inc. Still the One)
1979 - Forever - (inc. Love Takes Time)
1980 - Orleans
1982 - One of a Kind
1985 - Grown Up Children
1990 - Live: Volume 1
1994 - Analog Men
1996 - Ride
1997 - Best of Orleans
2002 - Still the One LIVE: 30th Anniversary Retrospective
2005 - Dancin' in the Moonlight
2007 - We're Still Havin' Fun
2008 - We're Still Havin' Fun DVD
2008 - Obscurities
2009 - Official History & Music of Orleans DVD
2010 - 75 Live: Harvard Square Theatre
2010 - Dancin' in St. Thomas Moonlight DVD/CD

Official Website

http://www.OrleansOnline.com

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• MySpace

Audio

• Orleans Music Sampler
  Listen   Download
• The Moment
  Listen   Download
• For Fathers Everywhere
  Listen   Download
• Heaven
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• The Moment
• For Fathers Everywhere
• Heaven

Video

Orleans "We're Still Havin' Fun" DVD Clips

Photo Gallery

Press

• Promoter testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  September 27, 2006 Mr. Larry Hoppen ORLEANS 135 N. Elliott Ave. Sanford FL 32771 Dear Larry: ...September 27, 2006
  Mr. Larry Hoppen
  ORLEANS
  135 N. Elliott Ave.
  Sanford FL 32771
  
  Dear Larry:
  
  GREAT SHOW! Orleans was the perfect choice for our fundraising party on
  September 23rd. Your showmanship, great songs, enthusiasm, energy and talent
  brought our crowd to their feet. The energy and vibe in the room was simply fantastic.
  
  The memory that sticks in my mind was the joyous packed dance floor during “Dance With Me.” What a great moment, as I saw dozens of our best donors out on the floor enjoying themselves and celebrating their relationship with our Chapter. The lead sponsors have already committed for next year.
  
  Anyone looking for pure professional entertainment should surely consider
  ORLEANS. You’re still the one!
  
  Sincerely,
  Ken Williams
  CEO
  120 Saturn Drive
  Fort Collins, CO 80512
  970-226-5728

• Promoter testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  ".......in brief, we had a blast! You all were just fabulous, professional, entertaining and wonderf...".......in brief, we had a blast! You all were just fabulous, professional, entertaining and wonderful. All of my shows should be so easy."
  
  Lynn P. Executive Director
  Stowe Performing Arts Stowe, VT

• Promoter testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  "Thank you not only for a great concert, but for your energy and good humor the entire weekend. It w..."Thank you not only for a great concert, but for your energy and good humor the entire weekend. It was an honor for writers in the S.A.S.S. program to share the Markham Theatre stage with Orleans! I could not have been happier with the way everything turned out.”
  
  Artemis Chartier
  Co-Founder
  School Alliance of Student Songwriters
  Toronto, Canada

• Promoter testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  "Although it kept raining, the alumni appreciated your performance which kept the great spirit alive..."Although it kept raining, the alumni appreciated your performance which kept the great spirit alive in the McCann Center field house! The Orleans show was outstanding, quite the treat!"
  
  Robert J. Lynch
  Director of Student Activities
  Marist College
  Poughkeepsie, NY

• Promoter testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  Dear Andy [Broady, manager], Over the years, The Ridgefield Playhouse has played host to a variet...Dear Andy [Broady, manager],
  
  Over the years, The Ridgefield Playhouse has played host to a variety of musical acts. In recent history, Orleans was one of the most professional and fan-friendly groups that has come through our doors. While the band’s impressive on-stage chemistry excited the crowd and made for a memorable performance, their genuine interactions at the meet-and-greet resulted in complimentary phone calls the following day. Watching the band was like watching friends getting on stage to play their old favorite tunes together — it gave the crowd an opportunity to feel more connected to the performance.
  
  Orleans is a well-managed and modest act that has clearly mastered the art of putting on concerts. Thirty years and still having fun indeed.
  
  Best,
  Allison Stockel
  The Ridgefield Playhouse

• Promoter testimonial [+ Show ]
  

  Mr. Larry Hoppen re: Amelia Island concert Dear Larry, I just wanted to write this letter to ...Mr. Larry Hoppen
  re: Amelia Island concert
  
  Dear Larry,
  
  I just wanted to write this letter to thank you for the concert you put on for the Tax Section of the Florida Bar at Amelia Island. It was fantastic!
  
  Not only did the performers put on a performance that had the entire room standing and dancing for the entire show, but they spent over three hours with us at the cocktail reception signing autographs and telling us great band stories that we will never forget. There wasn't a single musician who acted haughty or like a prima donna; they were all extremely friendly and open.
  
  I have gotten countless calls, emails and memos from various attendees thanking me again for what a great show it was. This is the first time in twenty years that I have gotten anybody to say "great show".
  
  Thanks again, and we will be seeing you soon.
  
  Sincerely yours,
  Dominick R. Lioce
  

• RPM @ Weston, FL 3/1/08 [+ Show ]
  

  RPM - Rock & Pop Masters Weston, Florida - March 1, 2008 I got a call from an old friend who nee...RPM - Rock & Pop Masters
  Weston, Florida - March 1, 2008
  
  I got a call from an old friend who needed a favor a few weeks back.
  
  Seems she was involved in a local Rotary Club and they were preparing for their 4th Annual free concert in the Regional Park in two weeks. The 2008 gig was going to be their biggest ever with a crowd of 5,000 to 8,000 expected.
  
  Free show meant "volunteerism" -- something inside my wheelhouse for a worthy cause and this was a rock 'n' roll show. That met my criteria. So, I contacted the show promoter.
  
  You Could Call It a Supergroup
  
  The gig sounded interesting -- a whole bunch of classic rockers Rick Derringer (McCoys, Johnny Winter), Felix Cavaliere (Young Rascals), Alex Ligertwood (Santana), Ronnie Hammond (Atlanta Rhythm Section) and jimi Jamison backed by the 2008 edition of Orleans. It sounded like an old fashioned Alan Freed show in Cleveland, or one of the legendary Apollo or Paramount gatherings of yesteryear.
  
  I was "in" even if that meant running the volunteer stage crew who augmented a rather slim professional stage crew. Manual labor was on the agenda and it had been over 20 years since I lifted an amp, set up a drum kit and percussion. "This should be interesting," I thought as I walked on the stage at 7:30 AM on the day of the show.
  
  I had some reservations about the show in general. After all, it was a bunch of players who, in their day, had what it took. But, I've had the misfortune of shelling out top dollar in the past year to see headliners who fell way short of their best career efforts.
  
  And, to top off my foreboding, this was a free gig, in a regional park in South Florida's very own version of Stepford. I was prepared to be underwhelmed. But, what the hell? It was a concert and a bunch of these guys (Felix and Rick, Orleans) had been early heroes and influences. And the rest of the bill was once formidable, too. It was a roll of the dice.
  
  The Table Was HOT!
  
  The show exceeded all possible expectations, and if I had forked over the going rate for a concert ticket in 2008, I still would have been satisfied.
  
  Orleans rocked steady. Three Hoppen Brothers -- Larry, Lance and Lane -- anchored the show with sidemen including drummer Charlie Morgan (ex-Elton John Band), guitarist/vocalist Jerry Riggs (ex-Pat Travers Band) and bassist/vocalist Barry Dunaway (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen).
  
  Standouts had to include EVERYONE. There truly wasn't a runt in the litter. Song after song sounded as if the original band was backing the original lead singer.
  
  Best of all, these guys were having a ball. It was reminiscent of the Senior PGA Tour in some respects -- guys who had paid their dues, been there/done that, lived life in the fast lane, and were now just jazzed to be playing their music and…sounding as good, if not better, than ever.
  
  It was one of those three generational audiences, complete with grandparents, kids turned parents and younger kids/grandkids. The hardest part was trying to figure out who was having a better time, the crowd, the band or me! This realization rang true at 1:20 in the morning as I helped to load the last piece of sound gear on the last truck, and rubbed my very sore back.
  
  Run, Don't Walk
  
  So, if you see RPM/Rock & Pop Masters coming to a venue near you anytime soon, RUN, don't walk to the box office. And, don't be surprised if the core lineup of lead singers varies from the show in Florida. They have a deep bullpen of closers, and you never can be sure just who might be grabbing a microphone, an axe or a pair of drum sticks.
  
  If you like classic rock, this is a must see. I was so blown away by Orleans that I'm headed up to Long Island to see them in April. Just don’t tell my kids. It's a surprise!
  
  by Jim Smith
  

Setlist

Depending on the needs of the gig, Orleans usually does a 75-90 minute set plus encores.

This always includes the hits (Still the One, Dance With Me, Love Takes Time, Dancin' in the Moonlight) and the perennial crowd-pleasers (Reach, Let There Be Music, Juliet, etc). We also keep adding fresh music as we go, ever-evolving the show.

With 40 years under our belt, there is never a shortage of material to play!

We also often do "Orleans & Friends" shows where we add in some really great Classic Rock singers and their hits --- like Don Barnes (38 Special), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad), Dave Jenkins (Pablo Cruise), David Pack (Ambrosia), Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), Peter Rivera (Rare Earth), Robbie Durpee (Steal Away), Rick Derringer, Edgar Winter, Jimi Jamison ... and the list goes on and on!

In that case, it's a Non-Stop Hits-fest from the first downbeat to the last encore!

For a full listing of Orleans' available "Friends" please see the Roster page at http://www.orleansonline.com/orleansandfriends.html

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Orleans Technical Rider

Calendar