BRANSON, Mo. – Fans of ‘80s nostalgia can experience a totally rad throwback at the Retromania Live festival in Branson Aug. 21-25.
The indoor festival at The Mansion Theatre boasts 11 classic rock bands, two cover bands and a lineup of ‘80s and ‘90s celebrities. SiriusXM personality Tommy London will be hosting, with Pauly Shore providing the comedy.
The following classic rock bands/artists will take the stage during the festival: Vince Neil of Motley Crue, Night Ranger, Bobby Brown, KC & The Sunshine Band, Cinderella’s Tom Kiefer Band, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Steve Augeri of Journey, Lou Gramm the original voice of Foreigner, Stephen Percy the voice of Ratt, Quiet Riot, Tiffany, and Jesus Jones.
Joining the event as celebrity guests are Tami Erin, who played Pippi Longstocking, wrestling legend “Mouth of the South” Jimmy Hart, Andy Dick, Johnny Venokur, Jamison Newlander from The Lost Boys, Zack Ward of A Christmas Story fame, and Hassan Rasheem.
A RetroCon event will take place at the Star Concert Hall, previously known as the Branson Star Theatre, on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., with celebrity guests in attendance. Donnie Frizzell, co-owner/producer of the event and owner of Modern Music Services, tells The Heartlander the celebrities will be in town and visiting Silver Dollar City on Sunday the 25th.
“They’re gonna be hanging around Branson,” Frizzell said. “We didn’t just fly them in and fly them out. We brought them in early enough to where they could come in and see what’s going on in Branson. They’re also going to Silver Dollar City to ride rides, take pictures, enjoy themselves and see what we have to offer in the Ozarks.”
Frizzell and James Kelly, owner of popular Branson attraction Retro Mania, collaborated on the event and are also co-owners of Branson Star Entertainment.
Frizzell says there is no event like Retro Mania Live in the world and the retro theme is regaining popularity among nostalgia enthusiasts. Part of the goal is to make Branson a prominent destination for major producers who will be visiting the area during the event.
“It’s coming back around. The old saying, ‘What was old is new again,’ is absolutely happening in the music business – with how much the ‘80s and ‘90s are taking over and influencing everything from clothing in our major stores, to TV shows that are happening, to ‘80s artists still selling more tickets than any other artist out there, besides Taylor Swift in the live music business.
“You’ve got some of the biggest classic ‘80s rock stars coming to Branson next week. That hasn’t happened in over 30 years.”
Frizzell and Kelly intend to keep the Retro Mania Live festival going for many years. In 2025, the event’s schedule is being shifted from August to September.
Click here for information and ticketing on celebrity guest appearances and Retro Mania Live package pricing.
