MILWAUKEE - There are 39 years of Summerfest memories. And as we approach the 40th Big Gig, some local celebs are reflecting on their favorite Summerfest stories.

Violent Femmes guitarist and Milwaukee native Brian Ritchie has lots of Summerfest memories.

"I think the first time the Violent Femmes played here was in 1984," Ritchie explained.

He's played Summerfest many times but first started coming to Summerfest with his parents. Ritchie remembers his first Summerfest. He was there with his parents when George Carlin got busted for using inappropriate language in 1972.

Nothing that exciting has happened to Ritchie and his band. "Of course as a performer (there are) lots of great memories here because every time we've played at Summerfest it's a lot of fun. The hometown crowd is the best."

The Milwaukee Brewers' Craig Counsell grew up in Whitefish Bay and said he remembers going to Summerfest while he was in high school.

"It was fun, but I don't remember too much of it, trying to meet girls or stuff like that," Counsell said.

Counsell said now that he's in the big leagues, he doesn't have much time for the Big Gig. "The Brewers are out of town every year for Summerfest. They never let us go, and I haven't been back honestly since I was in high school."