Mike Hanrahan, Executive Producer of the Spirit of the 80’s event has announced the brewing of “68 Guns”, a special craft beer to honor Mike Peters and The Alarm, the headliner at Saturday’s Spirit of the 80’s concert to be held at Academy Park. “68 Guns” was the first top 40 song recorded by Peters and The Alarm in 1983 and is fan favorite. The announcement was made at the Brickyard Brewing Company, 436 Center Street in Lewiston where the new craft beer was created by Brew Master John Paul Meteer. The annual Spirit of the 80’s concert at Academy Park is sponsored this year by Modern Disposal Services. 

Saturday’s concert will also promote bone marrow screening as part of Mike Peter’s “Love Hope Strength Foundation” with concert proceeds going to Roswell Park’s bone marrow donor screening program. Alexandria Hoaglund, the Youth & Community Fundraising Specialist for Roswell Park Alliance Foundation also attended today’s media event to discuss the program and importance of locating bone marrow donors through screening.

Mike Peters has a unique story as he and The Alarm helped break the mold of the typical rock band of the 80’s and paved the way for alternative bands to make a statement in their music. The Alarm have had seventeen top 50 UK singles, a host of successful albums and over 5 million sales worldwide.

However, in 1995 Mike Peters was diagnosed with cancer, but instead of bemoaning his fate, Peters donned a camouflage jacket and fought back. In the years since his diagnosis and through two subsequent bouts with the disease, the Welsh singer continues to lead the Alarm.

In 2016 Peter’s wife Jules was also diagnosed with breast cancer, but she continues to tour with the band despite wagging a two-year battle with the disease. Peters has since become the co-founder of the “Love Hope Strength Foundation” which promotes music-related outreach and awareness programs for leukemia and cancer sufferers, survivors and their families. There will be volunteer screening for bone marrow donors at the venue on the night of the event and educational cancer awareness information will be distributed.

Also taking the stage on August 4^th will be Canada’s premier U2 tribute band “Desire”, last year’s favorite “Dead Letter Office” and the band “Ten”. Gates open at 3:00 PM with “Ten” taking the stage at 4:00 PM.

Tickets are $25 at the door or $20 in advance at Lewiston Music, 791 Center Street in Lewiston and www.brownpapertickets.com. #Spiritofthe80s

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