By Jill Diver
Staff writer

The band Orleans started in New York in 1972. It is now in its 37th year, and includes half of the original band — lead singer Larry Hoppen and his brother, bass player Lance Hoppen. The band’s original drummer, Wells Kelly, died in 1984, and original guitarist John Hall is now a U.S. congressman representing New York.
The band’s biggest hit was “Still the One,” which eventually became the theme song for ABC network, not to mention countless weddings. It’s still played on the radio today.
With Orleans set to play the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry on June 11, Larry Hoppen recently took a few minutes to answer some questions about his band.

What do you like about playing at the Tupelo Music Hall?
I’ve been there with (musician and longtime friend) Robbie Dupree. Robbie is one of my dearest friends. We played there, and it was wonderful — really nice venue. We prefer intimate settings like the Tupelo to large venues because it allows more contact…with the audience. Everybody is close together, there’s a lot more nuance and it’s more fun that way.

What types of songs are you playing on this tour?
We play all the hits. We put out 18 albums over the 37 years. We’ll play 1972 to the present and some brand new stuff. Our slogan is “We’re still having fun.” We’re having a ball. I hope the sound of our albums has gotten a little mellow, like vintage wine. Our music still has the melody with the vocal harmonies. If people are fans of the band, they’ll love it. Most people say, “You guys still got it.”

Why does your music still resonate today?
When we recorded the big hits, we didn’t pay attention to trends, we paid attention to what we liked. It was all very organic. We were trained in different manners in school. We were just thinking, how can we make the best music, and do we love it? We made albums that every song was worthy of being on the record. When it comes to making our own albums, we wanted to like it when it was done.

Besides the band, what are you doing now?
We all have children. My wife and I started Sunshine for HIV Kids (a charity that helps children with HIV and AIDS) in 1993. We do a show in Nashville, where Lance lives, for a group called You Have the Power. It helps victims of abuse navigate the legal system. We support food banks. We’ve been doing this for decades.

What kind of change do you hope to effect through your music?
I’d like to see people support the arts and pick a problem and help to solve it — at the local food bank, anywhere. We all have to pitch in.

For tickets to see Orleans on June 11, call 437-5100 or go to www.tupelohall.com