Aretha Franklin cancels Drury concert; the Pointer Sisters sign on

A performance by Aretha Franklin will no longer be the culmination of Drury University's month-long series of events to celebrate the opening of the O'Reilly Family Event Center.

Franklin cancelled her Oct. 30 show, citing health reasons, and will not perform any concerts for the rest of the year, said Myra Miller, director of the O'Reilly Family Event Center.

Instead, soul and pop group the Pointer Sisters, largely successful in the 1970s and 80s, will perform on the final night of the grand opening.

"This will be a top-notch show," Miller said, noting that people who purchased Franklin tickets can exchange them for the Pointer Sisters concert. "We're going to be OK."

Tickets for the Pointer Sisters range from $45 to $125.

Howard Cotner of Springfield-based concert promotion company Cotner Productions Inc., who has a one-year contract in concert promotion with the event center, said the university found out about the Franklin cancellation the night of Oct. 25 and moved to find a new act on Oct. 26 by speaking with several agencies to determine availability.

"We're thrilled that it worked out that we could get (the Pointer Sisters)," he said. "They understand it's our grand opening, and they're going to give us a great show."

Miller added that the cancelled show created a hectic day yesterday for the recently completed arena.

"We've been working hard for the last 12 hours," she said yesterday afternoon.

Exchanges or refunds can be made at the O'Reilly Family Event Center box office or by calling the box office at (417) 873-6389.[[In-content Ad]]