Rock Show Critique

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 →

Concert Review
Great White
Rockin’ The Downs
Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY
Friday July 14, 2023
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto

In a perfect world Great White could have been one of the most successful bands from it’s era and genre. Although they are more of a blues based band some of their earliest work features keyboards and they were lumped in with the hair bands. Friday night they played the Rockin’ at the Downs Concert Series in Batavia, NY. They were not on the bill initially but were asked to fill in for Skid Row who was originally the scheduled band. Without hesitation these guys came to town to put on a glowing performance, one of the band’s best in years, knowing they had to fly to Seattle after the show for a gig on Saturday. Not easy to do. Continue reading →

Concert Review
Bret Michaels
Parti Gras
Night Ranger
Jefferson Starship
Pine Knob Music Theatre
Clarkston, MI
Thursday July 13, 2023
Review: Joseph Suto
Photos: Jenipher Nyari

Bret Michaels had a vision. To take a package on the road with nothing but hits and make it an all night rock n roll party. One of the first calls he made was to Night Ranger who have a deep catalog of hits and are currently celebrating their 40th anniversary. Another invitation went out to Jefferson Starship. He then thought what can he do to enhance his show to add more guests and friends. Well he dialed up Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath who answered the phone and former Journey/Tall Stories singer Steve Augeri. What a brilliant idea. From the time the fans got out of their vehicles to enter Pine Knob it was a rock roll atmosphere amplified. Continue reading →