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Area band reaches new crowd at Medina County Fair
Gazette staffFiled on August 8, 2015 by Gazette staff
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Jonathan Yokiel | Special to The Gazette
Yearbook is a classic rock band that has been together for more than 20 years.
But Thursday night was the first time the band, made up of Medina natives, had played the Medina County Fair. As soon as they started playing, many audience members began singing the words of the popular songs they knew.
Yearbook has played before at free, open shows in Northeast Ohio, many in Medina and Cuyahoga counties.
But the audience at the fair was different, with members of all ages. Younger people in the crowd danced and knew the words to some songs, too.
The group performs rock hits from the 1960s to the 1980s, with selections from groups such as Pink Floyd, The Beatles, and Bad Company.
This year Yearbook has had shows at Cedar Point and has been a part of the Brunswick Summer Concert Series.
The band has future gigs coming at the Elyria Parks Concert, the Concert in Middleburg Heights, and the West River Caf￩.
Band members said in interviews that there have been changes over the years but they think of themselves as a happy family. Their playlist has been moving toward Motown, dance rock, and classic rock.
Joe Salem is the last original member of the band, which formed in 1993. Along with playing the keyboard and singing vocals, he acts as the group’s manager, organizing bookings and promotions.
“My favorite part of playing our music is the reaction from the crowds. Most people who come out to watch us listened to this music when they were younger, so it is fun to see them hear it again,” Salem said.
Other members are Rob Johnston, drums and lead vocals; Chip B., bass/vocals; and Thomas Javorsky, lead guitar and backup vocals.
They all have other careers, in addition to performing.
Johnston joined Yearbook in 1998. Besides making the rhythm section, he also adds to the band’s vocals. After his addition, the vocals have become a larger part of Yearbook’s overall sound.
Chip B. played in three bands before Yearbook and supplies the low sound from his bass. Javorsky said he has always loved playing guitar.
The band members believe their playlist is still popular because it is different from modern songs heard today.
The group estimated that the ages of the audience members can range from the 20s to the 70s, but band members said they usually see middle-aged crowds, ages 40 to 60.
Although Yearbook doesn’t see many teens at its shows, there are some who appreciate classic rock.
“I enjoy older music because there are so many more meanings and stories. While today’s radio hits revolve around partying, older music could have been about anything — friends, love, you name it,” said Maggie Raiff, a freshman at Brunswick High School.
“My favorite band from the 1960s is most definitely The Beatles,” she said. “They changed the face of music and how people react to songs.”
Aaron Ogorzaly, another Brunswick freshman, said, “I sometimes enjoy older music (more) than recent songs because the stories have a meaning that I … can actually relate to. Many older songs can boost you up and brighten your day.”
Another Brunswick freshman, Melissa Dulik, said, “I like to see how different music was during different times because it really gives a glimpse of what it was like to live in that day and age.”
Information about Yearbook is available online at http://jsalem.bandvista.com.
Jonathan Yokiel, a ninth-grader at Brunswick High School, is one of 42 “backpack journalists” in the award-winning Brunswick Schools video program. Visit www.brunswickschoolsvideoprogram.org to learn more about the program or go to thebeat.pegcentral.com to view videos produced by the students.
