Nostalgia sells for the Legwarmers.
“Our very first show was a house party that was busted by the cops,” says Matt Kelly, aka Cru Jones, guitarist for ’80s cover band the Legwarmers. “It was like an ’80s movie: During ‘Eye of the Tiger’ the police busted in and said, ‘You’re just too darn loud!’ and shut down the show.”
Now the police are more likely to be working the doors than breaking them down at Legwarmers’ shows. The Arlington-based band, formed in 2002, plays all the hits of the ’80s in sold-out venues up and down the east coast. And they are back in Virginia this summer, with shows booked for June 5 at the NorVa in Norfolk, June 6 at the National in Richmond and June 12 at the Jefferson Theater in Charlottesville.
The seven band members, who are in their early or mid-30s, say their audiences range from true children of the ’80s to younger fans. Says guitarist Jorge Pezzimenti (stage name: Gordon Cantrell), “We’re always pining for the good ole times, even if we weren’t there.” But, says Kelly, “Just because you didn’t see Whitesnake live in 1984 doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy ‘Here I Go Again’ in 2015.” TheLegwarmers.com
