Mike Wolanin | The Republic The American Pie Chorus performs the song She Loves You by The Beatles during the annual American Pie concert at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 27, 2023.
One thing seemed apparent the moment Columbus North High School sophomore Kate London finished a nearly dead-on perfect rendition of Shocking Blue’s 1969 hit “Venus” Thursday before about 900 people at Judson Erne Auditorium. As the song says, she’s got it. Yeah, baby, she’s got it — that vocal gift, stage presence, and this-is-my-moment sensibility that makes the annual American Pie: The Magical History Tour such a unique experience to rock your world.
The scene also decidedly demonstrated that the full band, pop-rock concert that now-retired teacher Ed Niespodziani launched in 1985 to better interest students in history is still creating a chorus with a whole new generation. Because London’s singing father, Tony, was a part of the inaugural American Pie performers.
Also, in 2016, North student Nathan Patton, son of Niespodziani’s original drummer, performed. But London acknowledged that her singing was better in Wednesday’s dress rehearsal — a time when some students were playfully bowing low in homage to peers who had just nailed a classic tune.
“Actually, I think my voice is still a little hoarse from all the clapping and screaming for everyone yesterday,” London said.
This is to report that those in the venue might still be in that same boat this morning. Some of the veterans connected with the show that spans tunes from the 1950s to the 1990s, with historic events commentary in between courtesy of Karen Allen, mentioned that this group of performers in the 26-song set might have been among the best in years.
If nothing else, they demonstrated their commitment to be true to the artists they were representing.
For example, North student Austin Clark, singing the 1976 EltonJohn/Kiki Dee hit “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Alaney Parker, sported Eltonesque oversized square glasses adorned with faux diamonds and a striped, electric blue suit that would have made the keyboard king proud.
“I got it all on Amazon,” Clark said of his prime wardrobe.
The event featured more than high schoolers and former high schoolers such as Ruben Guthrie and Kevin Silva. Seymour eighth-grader Ana Burbrink’s already accomplished vocal chops on ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” with mom and Columbus North teacher Rebecca seem understandable, considering that the parent has been an “American Pie” staple for years for tunes ranging from Heart to Pat Benatar.
The daughter has been crooning worship tunes at gatherings at two churches for a few years now.
North senior Molly Hotek lit the crowd maybe unlike any other performer with her hyperkinetic happening that was her rendition of Pat Benatar’s 1979 smash “Heartbreaker.” One could immediately see how seriously she took the assignment. She decked herself in studded, black leather pants, matching jacket, and black boots. And when the beat of the song swelled, she danced, kicked, and strutted so much that many of the fist-pumping students pressed against the stage were virtually shouting the lyrics along with her growling voice.
Afterward, stepping into the wings, she laughed when asked how much caffeine was in the thermos she grabbed.
“It’s straight-up water because I am so thirsty,” Hotek said.
All night long, the crowd seemed thirsty, too — to rock and to reminisce.
And to see once more that a whole new generation is hungry to regularly take that magical history tour.
