The Performing Arts Center presents the legendary Arlo Guthrie on Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall. Guthrie, born with a guitar in one hand and a harmonica in the other, is the eldest son of America’s beloved singer/writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie. Tickets are $28 (rear balcony) $33 (orchestra/front balcony) and half price for UGA students with a valid ID.
Guthrie’s career exploded in 1967 with the release of the album Alice’s Restaurant, whose title song premiered at the Newport Folk Festival and helped foster a new commitment among the ’60s generation to actively work for a better world. He went on to star in the 1969 film version of Alice’s Restaurant, directed by Arthur Penn.
Though Alice’s Restaurant was considered too long for radio airplay, and his Coming into Los Angeles was banned from many radio stations (but was a favorite at the 1969 Woodstock Festival), Guthrie became an artist of international stature. He also garnered acclaim for singing the definitive rendition of Steve Goodman’s City of New Orleans.
Over the past four decades, Guthrie has toured throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. Today he spends nearly 10 months on the road and is often accompanied by his son, Abe, who plays keyboards and provides additional vocals. Abe will join his father for the Athens concert.
Alongside his performing career, Guthrie launched Rising Son Records in 1983. His other wide-ranging activities have included acting roles on the ABC series Byrds of Paradise and on the USA network series Renegade. He has written and published The Rolling Blunder Review, a popular newsletter, since 1986, and he is the author of an award-winning children’s book, Mooses Come Walking.
In addition to his son Abe, Arlo Guthrie will be joined in Athens by multi-instrumentalist Gordon Titcomb.