Tribute artist take Cannery stage in February

January 29, 2008
By AMANDA LLEWELLYN
VIEW STAFF WRITER

Impersonating a dead rock star can be an overwhelming experience.

Just ask Tony Fernandez, lead singer for Peace Frog, a tribute band dedicated to Jim Morrison and The Doors.

When the group plays at 8 p.m. Feb. 28 in The Club inside the Cannery, 2121 E. Craig Road., casino officials will be forced to set up barriers between the stage and throngs of rabid fans who, in the past, at least, have forced their way on stage to grope and paw Fernandez.

“It’s the strangest thing,” Fernandez admits. “To see people go wild for the music is one thing. I’m a Doors fan, too, obviously. But I’ve had women throw themselves on the stage like I’m Jim come back to life.”

According to Fernandez, these types of experiences are both flattering and surreal, but not rare in the least.
In a place where the lines between fantasy and reality blur, the native Californian believes that the band somehow has the spiritual blessing of the rock icon.

“You can’t have the kind of success we’ve experienced without that,” Fernandez said. “I think Jim is aware of what we’re doing, and he approves. We’re keeping his persona and the music of a generation alive, and that’s important.”
Peace Frog has been playing the Cannery annually since it opened five years ago, and, according to Fernandez, Las Vegas fans never fail to amaze him.

“It’s always a packed show,” he said. “The thing about the music of The Doors is that it has a message. Jim was a poet with a genius IQ, and he wrote about themes that have touched everyone in some way. That’s why The Doors are so popular.”

Many Doors songs dealt with mortality, authority, philosophy and rebellion, issues that still are relevant today.

“Their music will never die out because it touches too many people,” Fernandez said. “I feel privileged to be a part of that. It’s about questioning the world around and having the courage to change those things you don’t like. It’s quite a legacy.”