Rock n' Roll Amusement Park

...Hayward said he was approached by Hard Rock as long as six years ago. [Hard Rock had never done an amusement park; HRP Myrtle Beach Operations owns and operates the theme park under a 10-year license agreement with Hard Rock International, according to Felix Mussenden, President and CEO of Hard Rock Park.] HRP wanted to use "Nights In White Satin" for light show effects.
I might have used "Ride My See-Saw."
Videos and sound were being synched up Monday morning and the indoor ride was dark. I will ride the trippy "Nights in White Satin" tonight and report later.
"I don't own the copyright to the song so I don't control it," Hayward told me. "I was one of those '60s boys who signed a lousy publishing contract. The Beatles and Elton did the same. I can't completely say 'yes or no' but I liked their idea."
The concept was shelved and resurfaced about 18 months ago. Hayward did ride "Nights In White Satin" on Sunday. "I liked it very much," he said. "Its kind of psychedelic but it's not my idea of the story of the song. But then my idea would be very dull and a bit X-rated and wouldn't belong in a family park. I only say that because I was 19 when I wrote it. I also like the fact that every day they seem to be tweaking and changing it. I know if I come back in two weeks I would see something slightly different."
I did spend part of my birthday riding the Eagles themed "Life in the Fast Lane" roller coaster.
It could have been worse. I could have been on "Tequila Sunrise."
The speedy coaster zig zags and jumps through an "abandoned" saw mill as "Life in the Fast Lane" plays out in the park's "Cool Country" section. There's great details like shadows of rats scampering across a saw mill wall before you embark into Joe Walshhville.
"Cool Country" isn't far from "Born in the U.S.A." which is anchored by a reproduction of the Statue of Liberty holding a Zippo lighter. The bottom of the statue features the Neil Young quote, "Rockin' In The Free World." The statue is near the pavilion where the Eagles will perform.
Before the concert I will spend time thinking up attractions the Hard Rock missed:
"Spinning Wheel," Blood Sweat and Tears
"Sweet Home Alabama," a scary indoors ride where rednecks travel to Chicago and New York.
"Riders on the Storm." Doors
"Drive My Car," the Beatles
BTW, Mussenden said the Beatles were approached about participating in the park, but their people are holding off with plans for a Beatles-themed park. Pink Floyd was approached as well, but declined. The park's centerpiece is the Led Zeppelin-themed "Whole Lotta Love" with a maximum speed of 65 MPH and 13 inches below the FAA envelope (essentially built as high as the FAA will alllow). Robert Plant screams "Woman. You need. Loooove" as the car falls from the height of 155 feet. Although Jimmy Plant was hands on in helping design the ride, no member of Led Zeppelin has been on it as of yet..
Neither have I. Maybe tonight.