Nick Fortuna and Carl Giammarese of the Buckinghams perform on the Coca-Cola Stage as part of the Happy Together Tour.
It was like time travel — Riverbend in the ’60s.
The shirts were tie-dyed, the flower patterns were plentiful, and the conversations — punctuated with words like “dude” or “love” — were excited as fans waited for bands from days gone by.
Sunday’s headliner on the Coca-Cola stage was the Happy Together Tour, bringing together groovy musicians from bands The Turtles, The Monkees, Gary Puckett, The Grass Roots and The Buckinghams.
“There was a bunch of junk going on then, but there is a bunch of junk going on now,” Gary Puckett said as he left his hotel Sunday afternoon. “This music is the best. It’s memorable and recognizable. We are happy together.”
After an introduction and personal story by legendary Chattanooga DJ Tommy Jett, who said he played the music when it was on the Billboard charts, The Buckinghams went straight into their single “Don’t You Care.” With hoots and cheers, the crowd reassured the duo of their love.