The City of Las Cruces and New Mexico State University (NMSU) are teaming up to host the City’s annual Fourth of July Celebration Concert and Fireworks display at the Pat and Lou Sisbarro Community Park, 3205 Arrowhead Drive, on the NMSU campus.
Multi-platinum, alternative rock band Gin Blossoms, known for their introspective lyrics and catchy melodies will headline this year’s free concert, with Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats opening the show. The concert will begin at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4 followed by the annual fireworks display.
The Gin Blossoms' rise to prominence came with the group’s 1992 breakout album “New Miserable Experience.” The album stayed on the charts for close to three years with singles Hey Jealousy, Allison Road, Until I fall Away, Mrs. Rita, and Found Out About You. The album has sold more than five million copies.
Those hits were followed by Til I Hear It From You, which reached No. 1 and pushed the “Empire Records” soundtrack to platinum status. The hits continued with the record Congratulations I'm Sorry with the songs Follow You Down, and As Long As It Matters.
The band's fusion of pop, melodic rock, folk, and country elements have made them a 1990s mainstay and helped define the sound of popular alternative rock in the early and mid-1990s. From their breakout album, through today, the band has sold more than 10 million records and it remains one the most in-demand 1990s artists who began at the end of the grunge era.
Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning, and rocking his giant upright bass as a founding member of the Grammy nominated music group The Stray Cats. The Stray Cats sold more than 10 million albums and had 23 gold and platinum certified records.
Mega hits Stray Cat Strut, Sexy and Seventeen, and Rock this Town have become part of the fabric of rock and roll. Lee Rocker has been consistently touring, recording, and performing around the world since 1980 and has cultivated a fanatically loyal following.
Lee Rocker has been inducted into the Bass Player Hall of Fame, and Rockabilly Hall of Fame, with many other distinguished awards. In his concert performances, he rocks every town and leaves every audience on their feet and cheering.
The annual Fourth of July Celebration brings the Las Cruces community together with an Electric Light Parade, on July 3, and a July 4 concert and fireworks show. Schedules, locations, and event details for these free family events will be publicly announced soon.
For information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at 575/541-2550. For information relating to NMSU, call NMSU Marketing and Communications at 575/646-5981.