Can You Dig It? ‘Summer of Love’ Brings Peace, Love and Rock to Riverhead

The Suffolk welcomes back Glen Burtnik’s “Summer of Love Concert” to celebrate the 56th anniversary of Woodstock on Friday, August 15, at 8 p.m.

More than just a concert, “Summer of Love” is a full-scale “happening” — an authentic rock festival on one stage that honors the classic rock and soul of the 1960s and 1970s, celebrating the music of the Woodstock generation. The show features 16 dynamic performers, including vocalists, a horn section, strings, keyboards, background singers and a powerful rock rhythm section, enhanced by a psychedelic lighting and video display that captures the spirit of the era.

The show was created by Burtnik, an alumnus of Styx, who also portrayed Paul in the original Broadway production of “Beatlemania.” He is the touring bassist and vocalist for The Orchestra, the current version of ELO, and a member of The Weeklings. Burtnik is also a solo recording artist with A&M Records and a hit songwriter.

“I’ve always had a playlist on my iPod named ‘The Summer of Love.’ I’m actually a hippie at heart. The music of that era is probably what moves me the most,” Burtnik said in a recent interview.

Audiences can expect to hear timeless songs from legendary artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Marvin Gaye, Joe Cocker, Santana, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, The Temptations, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Band, Jefferson Airplane, Curtis Mayfield, The Association, The Turtles, The Beach Boys, Mamas and the Papas, The Grateful Dead, Country Joe, Procol Harum, Melanie, Ike and Tina Turner, The Rascals, Chicago, Otis Redding, Sly and the Family Stone and many more.

Tickets are $49 to $89 at thesuffolk.org. The Suffolk is at 118 East Main Street in Riverhead.