By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

GARYVILLE – As the Andouille Festival drew crowds to one side of St. John the Baptist Parish, another happening at San Francisco Plantation pulled in a somewhat different kind of crowd.

The rock band Image, which formed in Reserve in the 60s and is comprised of vocalist Ron Keller, guitarist Jeff Luminais, bassist Richard “Derf” Oubre and drummer Kevin Aucoin, reunited for the first time since the early 70s and played a show for those who witnessed the band’s rise to local stardom as well as few who were too young to remember the band’s shows at local venues such as the Pink Potato in Norco.

Although San Francisco Plantation General Manager Kim Fontenot admitted she had no idea how many people would show up for the gig, her initial fear turned to delight as more than 600 tickets were sold for the show, and the crowd spilled out the side doors of the Levet Barn, where the show was held.

“I really had a lot of faith in these guys,” she said.

Although the band had not played together for more than 30 years, they did not miss a beat as they ripped through a series of 60s-era covers including “Whiter Shade of Pale,” “We Gotta Get Out of This Place,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Good Lovin’” as well as a few familiar tunes from both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. The psychedelic light show completed the scene.

In addition to the $20 general admission tickets, a number of VIP tickets, which included dinner, reserved seating and time to mingle with the band, were sold for the show.

The show was billed as a one-off, but according to Oubre, because the show was so successful, more may be in store.

For one, Fontenot hopes so.

“I hope we can have some more events with them,” she said.