News release: 03/06/08 STARCASTLE CANCELLATION AT ROSFEST / GPS ANNOUNCED As many of us know, change is inevitable in almost every aspect of our lives. Over a period of a year a lot can happen and as such, unforeseen and unexpected situations do occur from time to time.  It is with great regret that we announce that Starcastle will not be able to perform due to a Starcastle member dealing with a serious health issue surrounding a family member.  We were requested by Starcastle to respect the wishes of the band and not indulge too much information. In a letter received by Bruce Botts he stated the following: It is with much regret that Starcastle must withdraw from performing at ROSfest this year due to unforeseen and unavoidable changes in several members' schedules. Further complicating matters, one of the band members is dealing with health issues within his immediate family adding to the strain of travel for rehearsals and performance.  Again, we are sorry we cannot perform this year - ROSfest holds a very special place in our hearts and we hope to see everyone there next year. STARCASTLE REPLACED BY GPS. Fortunately for RoSfest we were able to contact GPS, who was happy to step in. GPS is led by front man John Payne whom for the last fifteen years has been one of the creative and driving forces behind the melodic rock band Asia. John Payne has been known for his strong vocals, powerful bass playing and most of all his instinct for extraordinary songwriting and production.  When Geoff Downes recently decided to reunite with the original Asia line-up, Payne moved on and soon founded a new group under the moniker of GPS along with remaining Asia sidemen Guthrie Govan - (Guitar), Jay Schellen - (drums and percussion) and together with Spock's Beard keyboardist Ryo Okumoto. The chemistry in this quartet is spot on, which can clearly be heard in the songs they create and perform. GPS offers demanding and highly melodic, lavish rock music combined with excellent musicianship that delivers the goods in their strong musical performances. Look for Window To The Soul offerings as well as some Asia tunes to be played at RoSfest and set your GPS on to the Keswick Theater on May 2nd 2008 So come join the RoSfest family and enjoy this great band. For a complete bio of the band head over to the RoSfest website and check out the GPS page http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/GPS.htm http://www.musicbygps.com/ News release: 01/15/08 Crack The Sky announced for Rites Of Spring Festival RoSfest is thrilled to announce Crack The Sky as our Sunday night headliner.  With a history spanning over 32 years and cranking out over 20 albums including standout albums Crack The Sky (1975) which was touted by Rolling Stone Magazine as debut album of the year and follow up albums Animal Notes (1976), Safety in Numbers (1978), and White Music (1980) this band holds a special place in the annals of music.  A band that has persevered through tough times but with a love for music and a love for performing live this 6 piece band headed by founders John Palumbo on guitars & vocals and Rick Witkowski on guitar is rounded off with band mates Joey D"Amico on Drums, Joe Macre on bass, Bobby Hird on Guitar, and Glenn Workman on Keyboards.  They are super excited to be joining RoSfest and have promised to thrill the audience with an ambitious set playing hits from their previous albums and tracks from their brand new album “The Sale” which just came out in December 2007.  For a complete bio of the band head over to the RoSfest website and check out the Crack The Sky web page at http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Crack_The_Sky.htm    You can also head over to their myspace site and listen to sound samples of their new album “The Sale” as well as a full live version of Nuclear Apathy.  http://www.myspace.com/officialcrackthesky http://www.crackthesky.com/ News release: 11/25/07 RoSfest Regular Seat Tickets go on sale 12/01/07 Hello Rosfesters! Wanted to give everyone an update on our Gold Seat ticket sales. We officially sold 260 Gold seat tickets an increase of 35% over last years total. Out of that only 13 people could not attend Friday's show. A huge thanks for the Gold seat patrons for supporting us. Without your support we simply could not get off the ground. Regular tickets will go on sale via the Keswick Box Office on Saturday DEC. 1 at 10:00 AM EST. Tickets are being handled exclusively through the Keswick Theater box office and you will be able to go to the theater and stand in line and order tickets if you are interested. Regular seat tickets are $110.00 for the Saturday and Sunday pass and $55.00 for the Friday event. Total for the entire event is $165.00 Keswick Theatre 291 N. Keswick Ave. Glenside, PA 19038 http://www.keswicktheatre.com/index.cgi Click on the Complete Event Listing on the Keswick site and scroll down to the 2008 Rites of Spring Progressive Rock Festival and click on it and order tickets. You can also simply click on the the ordering ticket tab on the front page and follow the directions as listed below. ORDERING TICKETS Your tickets are issued on a "best-available" basis at the time of your order, from the front of the theater to the back. As there are no posts or other visual obstructions (plus unusually-good acoustics) in the Keswick, there isn't a bad seat in the house! Upon confirmation, your tickets are automatically mailed to you if your order is received at least seven days prior to your performance. Otherwise, they'll be held at the "advance reservations" window at the box office for your arrival on the day of your show. Five Easy Ways to Order Tickets Order On-line the day of the event. If you do not receive a reply confirming your ticket request within one business day, please check with the box office at 215-572-7650 to confirm the order was received. Thank you! E-Seats Premier Seating Club Members Order Form Please note: you must be an E-Seats member to use this order form. E-seat ID: Eseats Password: your individual E-seats member number E-Corp / Promotions Order Form Please enter either your company E-corp code or your promotional code in the designated area. 24 Hour Phone-Charge 215-572-7650 Please call 10AM to 5PM to speak to someone in the box office - otherwise leave your order on the phone system. We will call and confirm your order the next business day. Please be prepared to give the following information: your name charge card type charge card name/number & expiration date full name of credit card holder the name of the show(s) you desire the number of tickets you desire for each complete mailing address e-mail address (if desired) daytime phone number so we can confirm your order (or contact you in the event of an emergency) how you heard about the performance By Mail Please mail your order, including all information indicated above, to: Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside, PA 19038 By Fax Please fax your order, including all information indicated above, to: 215-572-1894 In Person at the Box Office Save service charges! The box office is open for in-person purchase of tickets from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Mondays thru Saturdays, and remains open until the end of intermission for evening performances. It is also open on Sundays when there is a performance, although opening time may be later (based on Sunday performance time). Please call 215-572-7650. Check Policy The Keswick Theatre accepts checks with mail orders or in person only up to 10 days before a performance. There is a $25.00 fee for any checks returned unpaid by your bank. Credit Cards Accepted Visa, MC, American Express, Discover. All Sales are Final We regret there are no exchanges or returns. From all of us at RoSfest thank you so much for your support and we look forward to seeing you guys in the Spring. George Roldan & Tom Smith and the entire Staff at RoSfest!

For Immediate Release:

THE PERFORMERS
BLIND EGO - RITUAL - RPWL  - CIRCA:
CREDO - BLACK BONZO - WISHBONE ASH  - CRACK THE SKY

FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT
GPS - AMBROSIA

Visit  for site information.

With this great lineup you'll surely want to attend this festival, as this will be the hottest ticket in town.

The line up is as follows:

SATURDAY First day May 3rd 2008.

HEADLINER 

RoSfest is extremely pleased to announce that CIRCA has been chosen as our Saturday night headliner for 2008.

The band is called CIRCA: and is comprised of veteran YES rockers from different eras: Billy Sherwood, Tony Kaye and Alan White with Jimmy Haun on lead Guitar have completed their debut Album.  Capturing various eras of Progressive Classic Rock to create a dynamic new sound, CIRCA: 2007 is an Album of original compositions that defines a new musical chapter for the Band.  ex-members Guitarist Billy Sherwood who filled in for Steve Howe on TALK (1994), and played next to him on Keys to Ascension Volume I and II (1996/97), Open Your Eyes (1997), and The Ladder (1999), next is current YES drummer Alan White who has been hitting the skins for YES since 1972, keyboard player Tony Kaye was with YES when it formed in 1968 and he played on their first couple of albums and then went on to a successful solo career. Kaye returned to band in 1983 for the 90125 album - arguable the most successful compilation of the band's career (and which yield the still-popular #1 hit "Owner of a Lonely Heart") and stuck around for another 10 years and then departed again, and finally the quartet is rounded out by Jimmy Haun - a name many YES fans may not be familiar with but who in fact played the majority of lead guitar parts on the 1991 YES album "UNION." 

CIRCA: will be playing the entire new "CIRCA: 2007" CD, as well as touching on special moments from every YES era !!  2 hours of non stop prog !!

Look for CIRCA to play the stage at RoSfest 2008.

CIRCA official website  - http://www.circahq.com 

Check out CIRCA'S myspace website and listen to the music.
http://profile.myspace.com/Circa

Be sure to go to the RoSfest website and listen to tracks from the upcoming new CIRCA album
http://www.rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Circa.htm

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RPWL announced for RoSfest 2008

In 2004 RPWL played at the inaugural RoSfest and returns to celebrate our fifth year as our third band in front of Circa. As many of you may remember, they gave one of the best performances RoSfest has ever seen.  The current line up of Yogi Lang: Vocals, Keyboards, Kalle Wallner: Guitars, Chris Postl: Bass Guitar, Taurus Pedals, Manni Müller: Drums & Markus Jehle: Keyboards is a German progressive rock band that was formed in 1997 as a Pink Floyd cover band.  They make melodious music, well written songs and layered soundscapes that draws the listener in.  Since the bands inception they have released 4 studio albums and one live album called "Start The Fire"  RPWL just released a new album entitled "9" that was released on 9/9/2007. "9" is a compilation including 5 previously unreleased live songs and 4 brand new solo songs from Yogi Lang, Chris Postl, Manni Müller and Kalle Wallner, recorded together by the band. Those studio-tracks are representing the different influences in the band. "9" will be released in a limited edition of 999 CDs and will only be available from their website.  A new studio album is being planned for 2008 and scheduled to be released in late February, 2008 just in time for RoSfest!  If you are a big RPWL fan make sure you attend RoSfest in 2008.

RoSfest is honored to have RPWL return to our stage in 2008.

RPWL official website  - http://www.rpwl.de/
Myspace website - http://profile.myspace.com/rpwl

Be sure to head on over to the RoSfest website and check out the RPWL page
http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/RPWL.htm

Sunday Second Day MAY 3RD.

HEADLINER 

Crack The Sky announced for Rites Of Spring Festival

RoSfest is thrilled to announce Crack The Sky as our Sunday night headliner.  With a history spanning over 32 years and cranking out over 20 albums including standout albums Crack The Sky (1975) which was touted by Rolling Stone Magazine as debut album of the year and follow up albums Animal Notes (1976), Safety in Numbers (1978), and White Music (1980) this band holds a special place in the annals of music.  A band that has persevered through tough times but with a love for music and a love for performing live this 5 piece band headed by founders John Palumbo on guitars & vocals and Rick Witkowski on guitar is rounded off with band mates John Tracey on Drums, Bobby Hird on Guitar, Glenn Workman on Keyboards and Sonny Petrosky on bass.  They are super excited to be joining RoSfest and have promised to thrill the audience with an ambitious set playing hits from their previous albums and tracks from their brand new album “The Sale” which just came out in December 2007. 

For a complete bio of the band head over to the RoSfest website and check out the Crack The Sky web page at http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Crack_The_Sky.htm   There are two MP3’s posted on the same page near the bottom featuring Nuclear Apathy and a track off their latest album The Sale. 

You can also head over to their myspace site and listen to sound samples of their new album “The Sale” as well as a full live version of Nuclear Apathy.  http://www.myspace.com/officialcrackthesky

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Wishbone Ash announced for RoSfest 2008

RoSfest is honored to announce Wishbone Ash on May 4th 2008 as our third band.

Wishbone Ash is the pioneering British twin-lead guitar band that features founding guitarist Andy Powell, whose name is often associated with the Gibson Flying V. The lineup also includes Finnish guitar slinger Muddy Manninen plus longtime rhythm section of bassist Bob Skeat & drummer Ray Weston.  Formed in London 1969, Wishbone Ash garnered notice in the early days for a unique blend of blues, jazz and English folk. But it was the way the guitars played melodic leads together that would become Wishbone Ash’s trademark. inspiring such bands as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. Throughout the years, many notable musicians have contributed their talents to the band, including Asia’s John Wetton, Trevor Bolder from David Bowie’s Spiders From Mars and Uriah Heep, and Laurie Wisefield, who would later play guitar for Joe Cocker and Tina Turner.

The aptly named Eternity Tour, will take in two tours both of the United States and U.K. plus a full German tour in January, while making stops in Holland, Belgium, France and Denmark. The idea is to promote several different products on release. The band's CD of new material, The Power of Eternity, will go on release in the U.K. in the first week of October, on the Talking Elephant label while Sanctuary Records will handle the release throughout the rest of the world.  Wishbone Ash has released nearly 40 albums and six DVDs, performed on five continents, and received worldwide acclaim. The band regularly plays more than 150 shows a year, delivering the goods to an ever-growing number of appreciative fans of all ages.

Be sure to come out and support Wishbone Ash and catch them on May 4th, 2008 as this is the only scheduled east coast gig that the band will perform before departing for a west coast tour planned in early 2008. 

Wishbone Ash official website  - http://www.wishboneash.com/  

Be sure to head on over to the RoSfest website and check out the Wishbone Ash page
http://www.rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Wishbone_Ash.htm

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The Rites of Spring Festival is pleased to announce Swedish art rock band Black Bonzo in their US debut as the second band on Sunday.

RoSfest is pleased to announce our first band for 2008, Black Bonzo. Hailing from Skellefteå, Sweden, Black Bonzo is a six piece band formed in 2003 from the remains of psychedelic band Gypsy Sons of Magic.  They released their demo soon after forming, and their debut album in summer 2004.  Their follow up album, "Sound of the Apocalypse" will be released June 8 and has already received great reviews.  They will be playing the second slot on Sunday, and we are excited to welcome to the RoSfest stage!

Black Bonzo official website  - http://www.blackbonzo.com/  
http://www.myspace.com/blackbonzo
Be sure to go to the RoSfest website and view the Black Bonzo video
http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Black_Bonzo.htm

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News release: 08/27/07

CREDO ANNOUNCED AS THE SUNDAY MORNING BAND FOR ROSFEST 2008!

RoSfest is thrilled to announce Credo as the Sunday morning wake-up band for 2008! Credo is a five piece band hailing from England, and consisting of Tim Birrell (guitar), Mark Colton (vocals), Martin Meads (drums, percussion), Jim Murdoch (Bass & Vocals) and Mike Varty (Keyboards, Violin & Vocals). They released their first album in 1994 to much acclaim, but due to a run of illness and bad luck, the band faded from the limelight, spending many years working on the follow up to Field of Vision, 2005’s “Rhetoric”. Rhetoric was released 11 years to the day from Field of Vision and garnered great reviews, even being called prog’s “best kept secret”, which happens to be the tentative title of their next album, scheduled to be released around RoSfest. We are excited to have this fantastic band as the opener on Sunday morning!

Check out Credo's myspace website and listen to the music. 
http://www.myspace.com/credogb

CREDO'S official website - http://www.timbirrell.f2s.com/ 

Be sure to head on over to the RoSfest website and check out the MP3's on the Credo page.
http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/CREDO.htm

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FRIDAY NIGHT EVENT  SPECIAL HEADLINER

Friday MAY 2ND

HEADLINER  --- AMBROSIA ----

Ambrosia announced for RoSfest 2008 Friday headliner

It gives us extreme pleasure to announce Ambrosia as our Friday night headliner for 2008 but first a little band history.

Ambrosia formed in 1970, in the South Bay/San Pedro area of Southern California. The musicians were inspired by the progressive rock era, and developed a large regional following for their inventive musicianship and skillful arranging.  Ambrosia came to national prominence in 1975 with the release of their self-titled debut album on 20^th Century Fox Records. Ambrosia was produced and engineered by the legendary Alan Parsons, and featured the top ten hit “Holdin’ on to yesterday”, as well as the FM classic “Nice nice, very nice”. After lengthy touring, the band returned in 1976 with Somewhere I’ve never traveled, also produced and engineered by Parsons. The Album yielded the title song, which quickly became an FM favorite. Both Ambrosia and Somewhere I’ve never traveled received Grammy nominations, and set the stage for the band’s signing to Warner Bros. Records. During that time the group also scored a top 40 hit with a cover of the Beatles classic “Magical mystery tour”, from the motion picture All this and WW11. 

In 1980, Warner Bros. released One Eighty, a smash LP that produced two of the year’s biggest hits, “You’re the only woman” and “Biggest part of me.” Though a headlining world tour and three Grammy nominations followed, one of the biggest honors bestowed upon them was Quincy Jones’ declaration that “Biggest part of me” was one of his all time favorite songs. 

Ambrosia released their fifth and final album, Road Island, in 1982. From the Ralph Steadman cover illustration, to the James Guthrie (Pink Floyd’s the Wall) production, to the album’s dark central themes, Road Island was a conceptual, adventurous work of art that brought forward Ambrosia’s exceptional talents. It also marked the end of an era for the band. 

Well, 30+ some odd years after their splash onto the scene and a brief cessation of activity from the mid-'80s to the mid-'90s, the band is STILL kicking tunes and taking names. Three of the original quartet of Joe Puerta, Burleigh Drummond & Christopher North remain, as they and frontman David Pack had differences of opinion over musical direction and sought different paths. The newest iteration of Ambrosia boasts the edgy, youthful shredding of Doug Jackson on lead axe, the seasoned jazz 'n' jam-tinged stylings of long-time band collaborator David Lewis (Shadowfax) on second keys and making another return with the band is 12 year vet and vocalist Shem Von Schroeck  rounding out this six piece band.

Upon speaking with Burleigh Drummond & Christopher North they agreed to give something special to the RoSfesters and perform music from their more progressive  albums Ambrosia, Somewhere I’ve never traveled and their fifth album Road Island.

This promises to be a very special show so make your plans to catch Ambrosia on the RoSfest stage on May 2^nd as our Friday night headliner.

Be sure to head on over to the RoSfest website and check out the MP3 on the Ambrosia page.
http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/Ambrosia.htm

Ambrosia official website - http://www.ambrosiaweb.com/  
Check out the unofficial Ambrosia myspace website and listen to the music.
http://profile.myspace.com/Ambrosia

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STARCASTLE REPLACED BY GPS.

Fortunately for RoSfest we were able to contact GPS, who was happy to step in. GPS is led by front man John Payne whom for the last fifteen years has been one of the creative and driving forces behind the melodic rock band Asia. John Payne has been known for his strong vocals, powerful bass playing and most of all his instinct for extraordinary songwriting and production.  When Geoff Downes recently decided to reunite with the original Asia line-up, Payne moved on and soon founded a new group under the moniker of GPS along with remaining Asia sidemen Guthrie Govan - (Guitar), Jay Schellen - (drums and percussion) and together with Spock's Beard keyboardist Ryo Okumoto.

The chemistry in this quartet is spot on, which can clearly be heard in the songs they create and perform. GPS offers demanding and highly melodic, lavish rock music combined with excellent musicianship that delivers the goods in their strong musical performances.

Look for Window To The Soul offerings as well as some Asia tunes to be played at RoSfest and set your GPS on to the Keswick Theater on May 2nd 2008

So come join the RoSfest family and enjoy this great band.

For a complete bio of the band head over to the RoSfest website and check out the GPS page
http://rosfest.com/Performers-2008/GPS.htm

http://www.musicbygps.com/





 

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Your friends at Philly Prog Rock Connection.
P.O. BOX 687
COATESVILLE, PA, 19320
Phone: 484-432-7357 / Fax: 215-884-5180
E-mail George at rosfestinfo@gmail.com or Tom at Tom@pprcmusic.com

http://www.prog4you.com

http://www.pprcmusic.com

http://www.rosfest.com

The new discussion list for the Rites of Spring Festival can be joined now.
It is located in music > events > Rites of Spring
The address is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rosfest/