500 Songs for Kids Night Four

Raising money for kids with totally awesome '80s music

If this year’s rendition of 500 Songs for Kids truly represents the most passionate songs of all time, then the 1980s were surely a decade of great passion. The fourth evening of the event found several artists feeling totally freakin’ tubular as they covered nearly every '80s sound imaginable. Tapestry energized in the early moments of the night with a heavier version of Scorpions’ "Rock You Like a Hurricane." Not to be outdone, SidAerial stepped up the intensity with a menacing cover of the classic "Rebel Yell" by Mr. Billy Idol.  Slick & Rose got the ever-growing crowd moving when they laid down "Push It" by Salt-N-Pepa (complete with a proper horn and keyboard sounds no less). No '80s cover would be complete without at least one Members Only jacket, and Chris Arrison and friends had them in spades. Their cover of Yes’ "Owner of a Lonely Heart" came equipped with proper synth sounds, neon colors abound, and even a rad keytar.  Steve Perry was represented (of course) by English Nick & The Yanks as they covered the fan-favorite "Oh Sherrie" with enough passion to make even ol’ Steve proud. John Stringer and State of Man pushed things to the max (Isn’t '80s slang awesome?) and pumped up the crowd with a phenomenal version of U2’s "Pride (In the Name of Love)." The massive marathon of music and philanthropy that is 500 Songs for Kids continues to impress and entertain. The fun continues throughout the week upstairs at Smith’s Olde Bar, starting each night at 6:30 through May 9.—Mike Vetter/Special to Metromix