“You’re insecure, don’t know what for / You’re turning heads when you walk through the door,” he sings, in a few words assuring a cross-section of generations that he’s got your back, girl, and you should like yourself a little bit more.

Payne, who died Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at just 31, was also the last solo voice on the band’s final single, “History” — effectively opening and closing the monolithic run of one of the biggest boy bands of all time.

While the exact circumstances of his death remain unclear — Buenos Aires police said in a statement that Payne “had jumped from the balcony of his room,” although they didn’t offer details on how they established that or whether it was intentional — in life, Payne was a critical part of the internet’s first boy band, one that secured an indelible place in the hearts of millennial and Gen Z fans.

How One Direction became the internet’s first boy band

Before One Direction became One Direction, its members auditioned for the U.K.’s “The X Factor” separately. The judges decided to put five promising, but not yet excellent, boys into a group. They were Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Payne, who together finished third in the 2010 competition.

As Rolling Stone contributing editor Rob Sheffield points out, it was an “unprecedented” way for a boy band to get their start.

“They were sort of assigned to be together. And you don’t expect longevity out of that situation. Honestly, you don’t even expect one good pop record to come out of that situation,” he says. And yet, not only did it work, but One Direction essentially created “a new template for pop stardom, really.”

The show allowed Day 1 fans to follow their career before their official 2011 launch with “What Makes You Beautiful.” Nascent fans could use rising social media platforms like Twitter and Tumblr to find community, draw attention to the group and, in the earliest days, speak directly to the members.

“I honestly made a Twitter so that I could keep up with One Direction, and that’s how I made so many different friends,” says Gabrielle Kopera, 28, a fan from California who remembers the band hosting livestreams and chats. “Sometimes they would say something back and it was so much fun. I feel like that fan interaction doesn’t even happen anymore.”

That feeling of accessibility reinforced the group’s personality and relationship with fans, says Maura Johnston, a freelance music writer and Boston College adjunct instructor.

“The fact that they came up on this British TV show and they became this worldwide phenomenon, I don’t think that would have happened as acutely and as quickly and as immersive without social media, without Twitter or without people being able to mobilize around the globe,” she says.

One Direction and their fans

Millennial and Gen Z audiences practically grew up with One Direction, but the band was truly ubiquitous. That, Johnston says, is at least partially attributable to arriving in a very different media environment from today’s.

“It was a lot more focused,” she says of the early 2010s. “Algorithmic sorting of stuff hadn’t really taken hold. So, there was this broader, mass approach. … They were one of the last gasps of that mass phenomenon, that anyone of any age, even if they weren’t a fan, had to take notice to.”

But it takes more than omnipresence to cultivate a loyal fanbase. And there were myriad reasons why listeners were attracted to One Direction.

“They were five very different musical personalities, along with five very different personalities,” says Sheffield.

They broke the rules associated with traditional boy bands, too: “They co-wrote many of their songs. They didn’t do, you know, corny, choreographed steps on stage,” he said.

After the news of Payne’s death, Kopera says she “got so many messages from people I haven’t talked to in years reaching out because I think everyone kind of realized that it does feel like we just lost a family member.”

That sentiment was mirrored in the masses of fans who gathered Wednesday outside Buenos Aires’ Casa Sur Hotel, feeding a burgeoning makeshift memorial of flowers, candles and notes as police stood guard.

“I’ve always loved One Direction since I was little,” said Juana Relh, 18, outside Payne’s hotel. “To see that he died and that there will never be another reunion of the boys is unbelievable, it kills me.”

Liam Payne’s place in the band, and its legacy

Payne was a “brooding” older brother-type in One Direction, says Johnston. He also co-wrote many songs, especially in their later career — like the Fleetwood Mac-channeling “What A Feeling” and “Fireproof.”

“He was this grounding force in the band,” Johnston says.

In an Instagram tribute, Tomlinson called Payne “the most vital part of One Direction.”

“His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam,” he wrote.

“I always remember that he was the responsible and the sensible one of the group, and I feel like he wore his heart on his sleeve,” Kopera says.

Payne had recently been vocal about struggling with alcoholism, posting a YouTube video in July 2023 where he said he had been sober for six months after receiving treatment. Buenos Aires police said they found clonazepam — a central nervous system depressant — and other over-the-counter drugs in Payne’s hotel room, along with a whiskey bottle in the courtyard where he was found.

“Looking at what happened to Liam, it just makes you feel even more sad, that it just feels like he needed help,” Kopera says. “And it’s so scary to think about how the entertainment industry can just, like, eat up artists.”

After One Direction disbanded in 2016, Payne’s solo career — a single R&B-pop album in 2019, “LP1,” and a number of singles here and there — never took off the same way as some of his bandmates. He was “the least successful,” Sheffield says. “It’s safe to say that on the terms that he was going for, he didn’t really find what he wanted to do.”

“It’s hard, transitioning from being a boy bander to be a pop star,” Johnston says.

At Payne’s solo shows, Sheffield explains, “He would show a little montage of One Direction performing, which is the kind of thing you don’t do when you’re starting out as a solo artist. But fans took that in the spirit it was offered, which is a very generous statement that he’s like, ‘Yep, you’re here because of this history that we share, and I’m here because of that same history.’”

Despite Payne’s struggles and the tragedy of his death, Kopera is confident “his legacy is going to always point back to One Direction.”

For fans, the same is true.

“When I look back on One Direction, I’m like, that was my girlhood. One Direction was the soundtrack to growing up, and I’m so thankful for it,” she says. “They really were just a group of normal boys.”

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HHT | Contributed

RagDolls – Covering all of the recognizable material from Aerosmith’s five decades as one of America’s rock & roll legends, RagDolls deliver blistering true to sound reproductions for fans of both the classic rock period as well as the more recent MTV era hits.

These women of rock pay homage to the Bad Boys from Boston in full regalia, paying special attention to the little details that define a genuine Aerosmith experience. Vocalist Susie Major gets in your face with her Steven Tyler-esque wails and stage antics, while Ali Handal rattles your eardrums on lead guitar with all the grit and bluesy appeal that is Joe Perry.

The band is sure to leave you with the same Aerosmith buzz you’d expect from the real thing – The Screams, The Swagger, The scarves, with a cherry on top…

Audiences can expect:

WALK THIS WAY – SWEET EMOTION – DREAM ON – LAST CHILD – LIVIN’ ON THE EDGE – CRYIN’ – I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING – WHAT IT TAKES – LOVE IN AN ELEVATOR – RAGDOLL – THE OTHER SIDE – JANIE’S GOT A GUN – TOYS IN THE ATTIC – MAMA KIN – SAME OLD SONG AND DANCE – BACK IN THE SADDLE – DRAW THE LINE – TRAIN KEPT A-ROLLIN’

…and many more!

“With so much talent, so much charisma, and gritty rock & roll, they quickly dispel the moniker of an “All-Female” Aerosmith Tribute….They are as good or better than any gender-specific band….They are, in one word…superb” – The Greene Room Magazine

Come GET YOUR WINGS!

Date is on Saturday, Oct 1st, 2022 and show starts at 7:00PM. Sales for this event will close on September 30, 2022 at 12:00am.

For tickets and any information about this or other events check: WWW.HISTORICHEMETTHEATER.ORG

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Rotary is a service-based organization with one simple motto: Service Above Self. First responders live that motto every single day. While others sleep, they work. While others play, they save lives. Hemet Rotary felt that the least they could do was show up and show their support for the daily sacrifice our first responders make. Hemet Rotary is truly thankful for these dedicated men and women.

At 6 a.m. the morning of 9/11, members of the Rotary Club of Hemet teamed up with community leaders and met outside the Hemet Police Department to bring the officers coffee, donuts, and thank you cards. A prayer of safety and protection was said for the officers present and Hemet P.D.’s Chief Pust thanked Rotary for bringing positivity and unity during a tumultuous time. After that, the group visited four of the five Hemet Fire Stations to bring them the same gratitude, coffee, donuts, and cards.

Rotary is so grateful for the daily service of our community first responders. This was a day of remembering. This was a day to honor them.

-Stacey Bailey

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On September 11, the 9/11 Memorial will reopen to the public from 3 p.m. until midnight to allow visitors to pay their respects and participate in a special viewing of Tribute in Light. The 9/11 Memorial Museum will remain closed to the public on the anniversary but will reopen on Saturday, September 12, after being closed for nearly six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Advance timed tickets are now available online. 

There are many ways to join us in commemorating the 19th anniversary from near and far.

Watch the 9/11 Commemoration Livestream

The heart of the mission of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum remains the annual commemoration ceremony. Join us beginning at 8:40 a.m. on September 11 to watch the commemorative ceremony live stream. 

Anniversary in the Schools Webinar

Offered every year on the 9/11 anniversary, this interactive program connects participants with Museum staff and guest speakers to learn about the attacks and the importance of commemoration. 

Commemorate in Your Community

Understanding the events of the day is essential to commemoration. Visit our dedicated 9/11 commemoration page to learn World Trade Center history and how to talk to children about 9/11, and find resources for planning a commemoration ceremony in your community.

Tribute in Lights

In addition to presenting the annual Tribute in Light, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is partnering with NYC & Company and buildings throughout the city to light up their facades and spires in light blue in commemoration of the 19th anniversary of 9/11. Look for the blue lights on some of New York City’s most iconic buildings this year, including One World Trade Center, the Empire State Building, Vessel at Hudson Yards, and various billboards in Times Square.

Interactive Timelines

Interactive timelines chronicle the events of September 11, 2001, the nine-month recovery effort at Ground Zero, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. The timelines use images, audio, and video, as well as first-person accounts from the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s permanent collection.

Make a Donation Today

When you make a gift to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, you allow us to share the stories of hope and resilience, sacrifice and service, good will and community that inspired us all in the aftermath of 9/11 and do so again today. Your generosity now makes our mission possible, as we work to reopen our doors with a renewed sense of purpose.

Find a Name on the Memorial

The nearly 3,000 names of the men, women, and children killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993 are inscribed on bronze parapets surrounding the twin memorial pools. See a full list of the names on the Memorial.

If you’re planning your visit, learn more about the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s updated hours of operation, enhanced safety protocols, and modified Museum experience.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

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(HHT cancels tribute)

As we all stay home in response to the national health emergency, the staff of the Historic Hemet Theatre is working to make the most of the closure and still keep the Foundation solvent into the future. The last concert of Tribute Mania Season One was officially canceled this week. The Tribute to Abba featuring Abba Fab will be moved to November.

Season Two remains in limbo, scheduled to begin on May 2nd with a Tribute to Fleetwood Mac featuring Mirage. The ticket office remains closed for at least the next couple of weeks, following the guidelines of California officials. Renovation plans continue with a permit review scheduled with the City of Hemet by conference call.

Several key improvements including earthquake retrofit, heating & air upgrades and handicap facilities are included in the plans. Funding for the improvements are still needed, with a few grants possible. Meanwhile, a local artist is using the closure to complete some of the wall art needed to complete the lobby renovation.

The community can keep track of the situation on the HHT website: www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com

or the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HistoricHemetTheatre.

Email subscribers will receive updates at the situation changes (enroll on the website). Call and leave a message for additional information, (951) 658-5950. Theatre supporters are encouraged to help the Foundation manage the financial strain of paying its bills.

Donations can be made on the HHT website.

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It has been two years since Dan Grennes first brought his Tribute to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to the stage at the Historic Hemet Theatre. The show was a sellout, leaving lots of fans begging for an encore performance.

This month, the wait is over as “Petty and the Heartshakers” returns to town on Saturday March 21st. There are still tickets remaining, but it looks like they may be gone by day of show.

Tom Petty passed away in 2017, leaving behind a long career of classic rock hits, some as lead singer of the Heartbreakers and others as a solo artist. In all, Petty has sold over 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time and earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His best known songs include “Free Fallin’,” “I Won’t Back Down,” “Refugee,” “Yer So Bad,” “American Girl” and “Don’t Do Me Like That.”

Lead Singer Dan Grennes performs with a look and sound that will astound the audience. Raised in the south like Petty, Grennes feels a unique connection to the life and music of the rock icon. With his team of all-star musicians, Grennes plays for packed audiences across the country. In 2014, the Heartshakers appeared in season three of AXTV’s World’s Greatest Tribute Bands.

Petty and the Heartshakers is Dan Grennes (lead vocals, guitar), Les Warner (drums), Chris Cicchino (lead guitar), Andy Gerold (bass), Brenda Fitz (keyboards), and Sara D’Arce (background vocals)

Showtime for all Tribute Mania concerts is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm. Tickets are $22 presale / $25 day of show.

Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the ticket office, (951) 658-5950. A weekly email blast of upcoming events is available by enrolling on the website.

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The Historic Hemet Theatre has announced that the sold out Tribute to The Bee Gees scheduled for this weekend has been canceled. Lead Singer John Acosta canceled all of his March shows after learning that his mother has been placed in hospice care, diagnosed with a terminal disease.

The show will be rescheduled for January 2021 as soon as John can schedule a new date. Meanwhile, local fans are keeping John’s family in their prayers.

Patrons holding tickets for the canceled show will be offered an exchange or refund. In order to entice fans to exchange their tickets, HHT has released the schedule for Season Two of the Tribute Mania Concert Series – three weeks earlier than planned.

TRIBUTE MANIA SEASON TWO
Saturday May 2 – Tribute to Fleetwood Mac, featuring Mirage
Saturday May 16 – Tribute to Heart, featuring Dog & Butterfly
Saturday May 30 – Tribute to CCR, featuring Fortunate Son
Saturday June 6 – Tribute to ZZ Top, featuring Eliminator
Saturday June 13 – Tribute to Bruno Mars, featuring Bruno & the Hooligans
Saturday July 25 – Tribute to AC/DC, featuring Bonfire
Saturday August 8 – Tribute to Neil Diamond, featuring Hot August Nights
Saturday August 22 – Tribute to Santana, featuring Smooth Sounds of Santana

Meanwhile there are just three shows left in Tribute Mania Season One – tributes to Tom Petty by Petty and the Heartshakers (March 21), Metallica by Masters of Puppets (April 4) and Abba by Abba Fab (April 18).

Tribute Mania tickets are $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm. Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950.

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Last year, the Historic Hemet Theatre was thrilled to present the premier performance of a Tribute to Marvin Gaye featuring Grammy Award winner Jackie’s Boy. The show was a sellout, earning rave reviews from the crowd. (for a preview, search YouTube “Jackie’s Boy Marvin Gaye”)

After touring the country earning rave reviews, on Saturday February 22nd, Jackie’s Boy returns for an encore performance, celebrating the music of the legendary Marvin Gaye.

Marvin Gaye helped shape the sound of Motown in the 60’s and 70’s, with a string of hits including “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” “Let’s Get It On,” “What’s Going On,” “Mercy, Mercy Me” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You.” Gaye died prematurely at the age of 44 when he was fatally shot by his own father. But his impact on the music industry has prompted many institutions to honor him posthumously—including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and the Roll Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the Tribute to Marvin Gaye are moving fast but are likely to be available day of show. Meanwhile, tickets for The Tribute to The Bee Gees on March 7th are already completely sold out.

The Marvin Gaye Tribute is the fourth show in this season of the Tribute Mania Concert Series. The season continues next month with tributes to The Bee Gees by Bee Gees Gold (March 7), Tom Petty by Petty and the Heartshakers (March 21), Metallica by Masters of Puppets (April 4) and Abba by Abba Fab (April 18).

Tribute Mania tickets are $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm. Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950.

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On Saturday February 1st, recording artist Debby Holiday was in town to perform her incredible tribute to Tina Turner before a packed auditorium at the Historic Hemet Theatre. This was the third show in Season One of the 2020 Tribute Mania Concert Series, each of the first three shows selling out by show time.

This show drew an unusual number of “newbies” to the venue. Several were in line after the show to pick up tickets for the rest of the season. Looks like most of the rest of the season will be sold out performances.

After the show, many folks were seen across the street at the newly opened Vero’s Ice Cream. By request, the shop remained open until after the show for patrons craving a sweet snack for the drive home.

Coming up for Valentine’s Day weekend, HHT will host a special show, Taste of Vegas, featuring local favorite Jerome Robinson, former lead singer of the 2nd Generation Platters. He will be joined by five special guests, Robin Uncapher, Jimmy Bruce, Fleet Easton, Gonzalo, and “Just Robbie.”

Later in the month, Tribute Mania continues with tributes to Marvin Gaye by Jackie’s Boy (February 22), The Bee Gees by Bee Gees Gold (March 7), Tom Petty by Petty and the Heartshakers (March 21), Metallica by Masters of Puppets (April 4) and Abba by Abba Fab (April 18).

Tribute Mania tickets are $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm. Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950.

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On Saturday February 1st, the Historic Hemet Theatre pays tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner with a over-the-top performance by Debby Holiday.

Known for her energetic stage presence and powerful vocals, Tina Turner is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, selling more than 200 million record in her 50 year career.

The first decade of her career in the late 50’s, Tina Turner lit up the charts performing with husband Ike Turner. After divorcing the abusive Ike, Tina launched a major comeback as a solo artist.

Tina’s top hits include “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Private Dancer,” and the Grammy-winning “Proud Mary.” She has earned 12 Grammy Awards, 3 Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Debby Holiday is a singer/songwriter with over a dozen Top Billboard dance hits including “Dive,” “Half a Mile Away,” “Bring it On,” “Piece of My Love,” and “Surrender Me.” Her powerful voice and electric stage presence brings the legend of Tina Turner to life on stage.

This show is the third concert in Season One of the Tribute Mania Series for this year. Coming up later in the season will be tributes to Marvin Gaye by Jackie’s Boy (February 22), The Bee Gees by Bee Gees Gold (March 7), Tom Petty by Petty and the Heartshakers (March 21), Metallica by Masters of Puppets (April 4) and Abba by Abba Fab (April 18).

Show tickets $22 presale / $25 day of show. Showtime is 7:00 pm, with doors open at 6:15 pm. Information on all theatre events is available at www.HistoricHemetTheatre.com or by calling the Ticket Office, (951) 658-5950.

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