By Anna Skinner
It had been many decades since The Bounders had played in Zionsville when they performed their 50-year reunion show in December 2013. That show will remain their last.
Bill Langley, lead guitarist, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer shortly after the reunion and passed away in June of last year. But The Bounders music and Langley’s legacy will live on at a memorial show to be performed by Don White, guitarist and vocalist for The Bounders and Langley’s lifelong friend.
“I hope [audience members]remember Bill and how much he loved music and the great musician that he was,” White said. “I also hope they can appreciate that time in their lives when we were young and enjoyed the music.”
Four students from Zionsville High School formed The Bounders in 1963 and played together for about four years after high school, but then Langley moved to Texas and then Florida with his family.
“When he came back to Indiana, we reconnected and talked every night on the phone,” White said. “We talked about everything from music to hell. I thought it would be nice to do a show in memory of him.”
The memorial show will take place at 7 p.m. May 8 at the Zionsville American Legion, 9950 E. 600 S. It is free to attend, although the Legion is hosting a steak and catfish dinner beforehand that is separate from White’s event.
While he plays solo, White will have Langley’s guitar on stage to display. None of the songs he plays will have a lead guitar break, because that is what Langley did during concerts.
“He’s no longer with us, so that part of the music will be left out in memory of him,” White said.
White said there’s no set time for the length of the show. He will play until he can’t play anymore, which should be at least two hours of music.
