Former Student Roy Loney, Flamin’ Groovies Lead Singer, to be Honored at Memorial Concert
Roy Loney stars as Ariel in a 1964 student production of “The Tempest.” Courtesy of the School of Theatre and Dance.
Roy Alan Loney founded the Flamin’ Groovies, an iconic 1960s rock band, while studying Drama at SF State. He will be honored at a memorial concert on February 21 at The Chapel in San Francisco. Proceeds will benefit SF State’s School of Theatre and Dance.
Loney, who attended SF State from 1964 to 1969, was lead singer of the Flamin’ Groovies. The band’s garage rock sound was a stark contrast to the hippie acid rock made famous in San Francisco at the time. The music’s rebellious and independent spirit inspired generations of power-pop, punk and rock musicians. He died December 13 in San Francisco. He was 73.
In 1964 at age 17, Loney starred in SF State’s production of “The Tempest.” A San Francisco Chronicle review noted he “was a captivatingly bold Ariel, an aquamarine zephyr with a shock of red hair. He enlivened the play with a perfect simulation of superhuman behavior.”
‘Gonna Rock Tonite: A Tribute to Rockin’ Roy Loney at The Chapel’
The memorial concert features Loney’s bands the Flamin’ Groovies and the Phantom Movers as well as Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley of Yo La Tengo, Jello Biafra, Scott McCaughey and Jim Sangster, Chuck Prophet and Stephanie Finch, Peter Case, MC Tom Kenny and many more.
The Chapel will donate a portion of the concert proceeds to the SF State School of Theatre and Dance. To make a charitable contribution directly to the school, fill out the online donation form.
— Matt Itelson
Links
- A Tribute to Rockin’ Roy Loney, The Chapel, San Francisco, February 21
- Roy Loney, Dynamic Frontman for SF’s Flamin’ Groovies, Dies at 73, San Francisco Chronicle, December 13, 2019
- School of Theatre and Dance