TONY ENGELHART: LEGENDARY ROCK 'N' ROLLERS AT THE SWISS >>>

I was privileged to grow up around some of the legends of Northwest rock and roll. However, by the time I was old enough to realize the immense impact they made on the music scene as a whole I was well into my twenties. At Bumbershoot in 1984, the promoters brought them all together for an oldies show. On the bill were the Ventures, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Merrile Rush, Tiny Tony, and Little Bill and the Wailers. Without hesitation, I must admit that the Fabulous Wailers were my favorite act on that show. With Kent Morrill on keys and vocals, Buck Ormsby on bass and Rich Dangel on guitar, the band tore through classics such as “Tall Cool One” and “Road Runner” like they were playing them for the very first time. There is no question that this band laid the groundwork for what rock and roll was to become.

Tonight, the Fabulous Wailers will play the Swiss in Tacoma. Now you know.

[The Swiss, 8 p.m., $10, 1904 S. Jefferson Ave, Tacoma, 253.527.2821]