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Parker: Earth, Wind & Fire performance downright earthshaking

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published August 30, 2006 at midnight

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Was that an earthquake Monday night or was it Earth, Wind & Fire that shook the City-Lights Pavilion?

EW&F took the stage like men on a mission to rock your world - and they did. The '70s-vintage R&B band played hit after hit until the crowd nearly croaked from singing along and dancing till their dogs barked.

Denver's movers and shakers claimed the up-front seats, sold to benefit Steve Farber's American Transplant Foundation. The pre-concert VIP parties in two tents flowed with Farber friends, fans, food and fab libations.

Frontier Airlines employee Cindi McCutchen took her own trip down memory lane when lead singer and Denverite Philip Bailey started singing. McCutchen was a sophomore at East High School when big-cheese Bailey was a senior.

"I just knew after high school and he got famous that I was a big shot because Philip Bailey went to school with me," she said. "I didn't know him, but I get out my old high school yearbooks every now and then and look at his pictures."

McCutchen, like the rest of the attendees of a certain age, nearly lost her mind as the hit parade marched on with After The Love Is Gone, That's The Way of The World, September and Shining Star.

"Earth, Wind & Fire, they're the greatest," McCutchen said after the stupendous show.

HEAVENLY HAVEN: Each time I run into former Bronco Haven Moses and his wife, Joyce, at a restaurant or an event, I feel like a better person for having spent even a small amount of time with them. They are the consummate couple.

And I'm happy to report that Haven, having suffered a severe stroke in January 2003, is looking and walking better than ever.

Not bad for a guy who turned 60 and celebrated his 38th wedding anniversary recently.

He's also back on the driving range smacking the heck out of golf balls. Next year, he promises to be back on the charity golf tournament circuit.

Meanwhile, the Ring-of-Fame wide receiver has an eye on his old team. "This is the rebuilding year," he tells folks who stopped to chat before the Earth, Wind & Fire concert Monday at City-Lights Pavilion.

"I'm excited about Jay Cutler, but I'm still backing Jake (Plummer)," Haven said.

"(Cutler's) the future of the Broncos. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of John (Elway). He seems like a leader."

GORDON'S GAFFE: Senate Majority Leader and Colorado secretary of state hopeful Ken Gordon got caught between his ego and a hard place the other day when a New York magazine called.

Gordon, a Democrat running against Republican Mike Coffman, said in a recent e-mail that he's tried to be guided by desire more than ego during this campaign.

"But every once in a while, you hope you can get recognition," he said in the e-mail.

"It is chancy, though. The press is fickle and there is always someone younger, taller and better looking.

"So I was pleased the other day when I got a phone call from a reporter at a respected New York magazine.

'Thank you so much for calling back,' she said.

" 'We are writing about Colorado, and everyone said you were the perfect person to talk to.'

" 'I'm glad to help,' I replied, feeling that little warm glow that comes when you feel you are getting a little appreciation.

" 'What can I do for you?' " " 'We are doing a profile on Andrew Romanoff. Can you give us a quote?' "

THE SEEN: Former mayor Wellington Webb and former first lady Wilma Webb; Colorado secretary of state candidate Mike Coffman; Broncos Ring of Famer Moses and his wife, Joyce, and lovely local treasure, Lannie Garrett, with sidekick Michelle "Mel" Gibson, rocking out at the Earth, Wind & Fire concert.

EAVESDROPPING sent in by a reader who heard a man at Dulles airport: "I found this copy of Maxim magazine. It's like Playboy for rednecks."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail .