Adam Again was scheduled to return to Cornerstone Festival for the first time in a few years in 2000. Sadly, the band’s frontman, singer, and songwriter Gene Eugene passed away unexpectedly in his sleep in March and the community of musicians that were his friends were left in shock. Taking the slot that the band would’ve performed in at Cornerstone 2000, the remaining members of Adam Again played a tribute concert to Gene Eugene, with several different friends singing the songs in Gene’s place.
Riki Michelle started the concert off with a couple of songs, followed by Derri Daugherty and Steve Hindalong, each of The Choir singing a song. Gym Nicholson of the Undercover sang a song as well. Mike Roe of the 77’s contributed his vocals which eerily sounded almost like Gene Eugene for a few songs. The end of the concert, and perhaps the most energetic performances were done by Mike Knott, here performing “Hopeless, Etc.” (The Prayer Chain’s Andy Prickett also contributes a nice guitar solo here, too.)
BONUS FOOTAGE:
Apparently there is some professionally shot video and audio out there somewhere. This YouTube page seems to hint that they are putting together a DVD or video of some sort for this show, though it’s been 10 years now, so I don’t know if I’d hold my breath for it’s release. Nonetheless, here’s some nice footage of Derri Daugherty singing “Worldwide” with Riki Michelle and Karin Bergquist of Over the Rhine on background vocals:
Things I remember about this show:
Mike Knott tripping over something and falling as he took the stage, and commenting that Gene would have loved that.
Riki Michele doing an awesome version of (IIRC) “It Is What It Is” during sound check. (Somebody else sang it during the actual concert.)
Jon Knox just absolutely killing it on the drums for the whole show. I don’t remember which song it was at this point (10 years! later), but on one of the funkier songs, I thought he might rock the drum riser off the stage. He went OFF.