ROCK FAVES PLAY L.A. COUNTY FAIR.

Byline: Luanne Hunt Correspondent

French fries and funnel cakes won't be the only things sizzling this year at the all-new L.A. County Fair, Sept. 14-Oct. 1 at the Fairplex in Pomona. Nine classic rock groups are scheduled to take the stage, bringing back their popular music that once heated up the world of rock 'n' roll.

``We haven't even advertised the series yet and we're already two-thirds sold,'' said fair entertainment coordinator Dale Coleman. ``I hope people get their tickets fast.''

Included in the lineup are Cheap Trick, War, Styx, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Tower of Power, K.C. and the Sunshine Band, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Eddie Money and Jethro Tull.

In the past, the fair has booked a more diverse group of acts ranging from country to swing to jazz. But Coleman says, that based on previous ticket sales, classic rock is far and away the most popular.

``We've learned that classic rock is what the people want to see,'' said Coleman. ``We said, 'Let's go with what is really working.' ''

Although all of the groups' songs are more than 20 years old, there are plenty of fans around who still enjoy hearing the unforgettable hits. For new fans or those whose memory has failed them, a quick refresher course may be in order as well as an update:

Cheap Trick emerged in the early '70s with its own brand of high-powered pop. The band initially found success in the Midwest, but its first two albums on Epic Records did not fare well. The group scored a hit in 1978 with ``I Want You to Want Me,'' launching it into international stardom.

Over the years, four of Cheap Trick's albums have gone platinum. The group has also had three gold singles and a No. 1 single, ``The Flame.'' The band toured through the early '90s until it ended its career with Epic Records. In 1996, Cheap Trick recorded a three-song demo that sparked a bidding war between several independent labels. The band signed with Red Ant Entertainment but ended that union in 1998. The members continue to tour and have recently opened for groups like Smashing Pumpkins and Pearl Jam.

The rock, jazz, Latin and r&b-infused music of War created a fervor that gave the group the reputation of one of the most successful crossover bands in history. Hits such as ``Low Rider,'' ``Cisco Kid,'' ``Spill the Wine'' and ``Outlaw'' generated record sales of nearly 25 million. The band recently released its 24th album.

The soulful music of Tower of Power exploded onto the scene with a unique concept. The group fused jazz, funk, rock and soul, and the combination proved highly successful.

The band's signature hit, ``You're Still a Young Man,'' was the first song penned by the group's leader, Emilio Castillo, and saxophonist Stephen ``Doc'' Kupka. Although Tower of Power hit a slump in the '80s, the band tours nonstop and plays to sold-out venues in Japan, Europe and the U.S.

Known for his impressive vocals, Paul Rodgers led Bad Company to monumental success before striking out on a solo career. His biggest hits with Bad Company included ``Feel Like Making Love,'' ``Can't Get Enough,'' ``Shooting Star'' and ``Bad Company.''

Over his long career, Rodgers has released 27 CDs, selling 125 million units worldwide. Several of Rodgers' songs have been featured in the motion pictures ``American Beauty,'' ``Wayne's World'' and ``Top Gun.''

With songs like ``Baby Hold On,'' ``Two Tickets to Paradise'' and ``I Think I'm in Love,'' Eddie Money became one of the most popular rock artists of the '70s. He has built a successful fan base and continues to sell records. His current album is ``Ready Eddie.''

The group Jethro Tull was formed in 1968, but it wasn't until the band's 1971 release - ``Aqualung'' - that it achieved international fame. The biggest songs off the album were ``Living in the Past'' and the title track.

Jethro Tull has performed more than 2,500 concerts in 40 countries and has sold over 60 million albums.

Singer/songwriter John Fogerty's mega hits such as ``Bad Moon Rising,'' ``Proud Mary'' and ``Looking Out My Back Door'' became American classics for Creedence Clearwater Revival, which had a falling out with Fogerty in 1972.

In 1995, two original CCR members, Stu Cook and Doug ``Cosmo'' Clifford, reformed the group with a new name, Creedence Clearwater Revisited. What started out to be a ``just for fun'' project turned into a successful venture that keeps the new crew on the road.

K.C. and the Sunshine Band put the fun in funky with its good-time party music. Looking to spread happiness, the group scored several hits in the late '70s, including ``Get Down Tonight,'' ``Shake Your Booty'' and ``That's the Way I Like It.''

In the '80s, the group earned three Grammy Awards and nine Grammy nominations. Twenty-three years later, K.C. and the Sunshine Band's music still attracts thousands of fans at concerts.

``Lady,'' ``Babe,'' ``Mr. Roboto'' and ``Too Much Time on My Hands'' are just a few of the tunes that launched Styx's career in the early '80s. Adding to its achievements, the band is part of an elite group of acts that has had Top 10 hits under each of the last four U.S. presidents.

Styx's most recent CD, ``Brave New World,'' proved successful and pushed its total album sales to 25 million units. The group still plays in the U.S. and Japan and plans to perform 100 more gigs in 2000.

Though no longer in the top 40, groups like Creedence Clearwater Revisited and K.C. and the Sunshine Band are still popular with audiences.

``This will be our third time playing at the L.A. County Fair, and we've always had massive attendance,'' said Cook of Creedence Clearwater Revisited. ``Los Angeles is Creedence Country, no doubt about it.''

K.C., otherwise known as Harry Wayne Casey, said he has experienced a similar response. ``The reaction has been pretty phenomenal for us. Everyone that comes has a great time. It's been a blast.''

To Cook and K.C.'s delight, there is also a new generation of fans who have come to appreciate the music their parents grew up with.

``You can't believe all the kids that come out,'' said Cook. ``About 40 or 50 percent of our audience wasn't even born when we recorded this stuff.''

The younger crowds may not be familiar with CCR's original sound, but even without Fogerty, Cook says the group comes pretty close to duplicating it.

``Our band is a great band, and we sound like the original recordings.''

Judging by the usual audience reaction, Cook has concluded that most of the fans don't care that he and Clifford don't have the full band.

``At the end of the night, everybody gets crazy,'' said Cook. ``We're very happy with the way things have gone, and we're very surprised and grateful. It's been overwhelming.''

K.C. also admits he is overwhelmed by the effect his music is still having.

``I've always wanted to write music on the lighter side that makes people feel good,'' he said. ``That was the whole idea behind the music. We get lots of letters saying how our music has really touched people and brought them out of depression. We just want to go out there and create happiness.''

For Coleman, pleasing the public was a major factor in organizing this year's fair entertainment.

``We wanted to make this concert series a vital part of what we're doing,'' said Coleman. ``I believe it's a vital part of fair programming.''

Coleman pointed out that the series also has a theme this year. ``It's called the 'End of Summer Concert Series,' '' he said. ``When I was growing up in Pomona, we always thought of the fair as the last hurrah of summer. We wanted to give people something they could hold on to.''

The facts

--What: ``End of Summer Concert'' series.

--When: Thursday - Cheap Trick; Sept. 15 - War; Sept. 16 - Paul Rodgers of Bad Company and Eddie Money; Sept. 17 - Jethro Tull; Sept. 22 - Creedence Clearwater Revisited; Sept. 23 - Tower of Power; Sept. 29 - K.C. and the Sunshine Band; Sept. 30 - Styx.

--Where: Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona.

--How much: Free with fair admission.

--Info: [phone].

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Tower of Power, whose hits include the classic ``You're Still a Young Man,'' will perform Sept. 23 at the L.A. County Fair's ``End of Summer'' concert.

(2) The remnants of CCR, now known as Creedence Clearwater Revisited, still draw passionate fans. The group appears at the fair Sept. 22.