Rock Show Critique

Concert Review
Vinny Appice’s Sabbath Knights
The Backlot Entertainment Venue
(The former Braun’s)
Akron, NY
Thursday August 17, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Vinny Appice of Black Sabbath and Dio fame brought his latest project Sabbath Knights to The Backlot Thursday evening. His band consists of Buffalo native vocalist Jim Crean who is enshrined in the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, guitarist Artie Dillon and bassist Jimmy Caputo. These guys did the unthinkable and pulled out a crowd pleasing set that featured songs from both Black Sabbath and Dio. Appice played with Ronnie James Dio in both bands as well as the band Heaven and Hell. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Rick Springfield
The Hooters
Paul Young
Tommy Tutone
Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre
Youngstown, OH
Friday August 4, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

The I Want My 80s Summer Tour kicked off at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre Friday evening. The tour headlined by Rick Springfield also featured The Hooters, Paul Young and Tommy Tutone. The tour marked the Hooters first U.S. tour in 30 years. The long line at the merch booth was proof enough at how much a tour like this means to the fans. It was a great venue to kick the tour off on a fantastic summer night. Youngstown certainly did a great job with this venue which opened in 2019, creating a fantastic concert atmosphere. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Tesla
Clearfield County Fair
Clearfield, PA
Wednesday August 2, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

Tesla has always been mislabeled. Formed smack dab in the middle of the 1980’s, the band was always lumped in with the so-called hair bands of the era. While their music roots seem to have come to age in the 70’s, the only resemblance to other bands from that era was their long hair and the fact they toured with many of the bands that they were unjustly associated with. They didn’t dress up in fancy costumes nor did they try to become a flavor of the month. The one thing that has always stood out about Tesla is their love of the guitar. Whether it be the fiery assault one hears on “Edison’s Medicine” or the softer acoustic side demonstrated on Top-10 smash “Love Song”. Continue reading →

Photo Gallery
Peter Noone
Grass Roots
Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY
Friday July 28, 2023
Photos: Joseph Suto

Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone played the Rockin’ at the Downs 2023 concert series this past Friday. Also on the bill were The Grass Roots. This show marked Noone’s second consecutive year playing there and The Grass Roots third. Continue reading →

Concert Photo Gallery
Peter Frampton
OLG Stage
Fallsview Casino & Resort
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Saturday July 29, 2023
Photos: Joseph Suto

Peter Frampton is back unexpectedly as he brought his Never Say Never tour to the OLG Stage last night at Fallsview. 2019 was supposed to be his last U.S. Tour but since he was feeling pretty good decided to do some more touring. Frampton opened with “Lying” a song from his 1986 album Premonition. It was good to see Peter back. Here is our photo gallery. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Ted Nugent
Kodak Center
Rochester, NY
Tuesday July 25, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

The one thing about Ted Nugent is that he leaves a lasting impression on everyone no matter if you like him or not. You may agree in his beliefs like the many that applauded his every speech in between songs or you may not. Nugent tells things exactly as he sees them and he is not afraid to speak his mind. That in itself sets him apart from many. While sometimes his music is overshadowed by political outbursts, it was mainly the music that shone on this particular night. Continue reading →