Harvey managed to turn Ojai’s crown jewel — Libbey Bowl — into a ghost stage. He signed a contract that gave the city zero rights, let a promoter run one overpriced show for LA hipsters, and then… nothing. No concert series, no summer nights under the stars, just pissed off residents. Classic Harvey!
Libbey Bowl has been silenced, the people have not
I miss…The sounds. The joy. The sight of people swaying together under the Ojai sky at the Libbey Bowl.
Our city manager has been called “the Grinch Who Stole Our Music,” and it’s hard to disagree when the stage sits silent. I miss — we miss — Michael McDonald’s velvet voice, the Gin Blossoms’ jangling guitars, Ben Harper’s soul, Vampire Weekend’s energy, Toad the Wet Sprocket’s harmonies, Dionne Warwick’s elegance, Oingo Boingo’s wildness, The English Beat’s ska rhythms, Lyle Lovett’s storytelling, Los Lobos’ fire, Jon Anderson from Yes (who brought 12 musicians from six countries, ages 23 to 73), Belinda Carlisle’s sparkle, Dave Mason and Eric Burton’s legends, Jacob Scesney’s sax with Postmodern Jukebox and much more.
And I miss the families — neighbors’ arm in arm — singing along to Queen Nation and countless other bands that turned the Bowl into a living, breathing heartbeat of Ojai.
Now, instead of music, I hear about a bumper sticker: “Honk if you’re suing the City Manager or the City of Ojai.” That says something about where we are — we have been referred to as “the best citizens with the worst (city) management” — and it stings because it feels true. I think we had more lawsuits filed last month than concerts.
Ben Harvey Ruined A Hometown Activity In Ojai, Too
Ojai Valley News
