"Its theme borrows from the oeuvre of The Killer — Jerry Lee Lewis — and its poster displays a crooning King of Rock ’n’ Roll — Elvis Presley.
The QUAD-CITY TIMES Bix 7, long associated with the cool jazz of legendary cornet player Bix Beiderbecke, is getting a musical face lift for its 31st running through the streets of Davenport.
Backed by three red jump-suited Elvis impersonators, Bix 7 race director Ed Froehlich struck a pose at Wednesday’s kickoff press conference at the River Music Experience, telling media and race committee members, “I think there’s going to be a whole lotta runnin’ goin’ on.”
Froehlich promised more bands along the race course and a music-filled Michelob Ultra post-race party with a new design and new sponsor in Vanguard Distributing."
Here is the photo associated with the story
and its caption.
Jeff Cook/QUAD-CITY TIMES
Quad-City Times Bix 7 race director Ed Froehlich joins in the fun during Wednesday’s Bix kickoff. Froehlich promised more bands along the course and a music-filled post-race party, which will feature “great food and great beer” for this year’s event.
I have nothing against Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Prestley. In fact, I sort of enjoy one or two Prestley recordings and Undoubtedly, these two guys were great music icons. However, I object strenuosly at using the names of these two individuals and the Elvis impersonators to promote a race that borrows its name from the great Bix Beiderbecke, a jazz and dance band musician from the 1920s. There is absolutely no connection between the music of Bix and that of Elvis Prestley or Jerry Lee Lewis. What goes on in the mind of the race director? If he wants to have a 7-mile race in Davenport, that is fine. If he wants to increase the popularity of the race by bringing in the music of Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis Prestley, that is also fine. But why desecrate the memory of Bix and of his musical legacy by bringing in Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis? Either remove the name Bix from the race or show proper respect for his memory. Bringing in Elvis in the poster of the Bix 7 race is an abomination.
Albert
This message has been edited by ahaim on Apr 15, 2005 7:59 AM
