The Rolling Stones at Onondaga War Memorial — July 6, 1966
The Rolling Stones played the Onondaga War Memorial in Syracuse. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones — the Stones were at the peak of the British Invasion, between ‘Satisfaction’ and ‘Paint It Black.’ The most dangerous band in the world, in Central New York. Sixty years ago.
Pete Seeger at Lake Placid High School Auditorium — July 5, 1971
Fifty-five years ago, the dean of American folk music brought his banjo and his sing-along gospel to a high school auditorium in Lake Placid. Pete Seeger — blacklisted in the ’50s, vindicated by the ’60s, and by 1971 the conscience of the folk revival — turned every room he played into a communal chorus, from […]
Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead & Tom Petty at Rich Stadium — July 4, 1986
Bob Dylan with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers plus the Grateful Dead played Rich Stadium in Orchard Park on the Fourth of July. Three of the most important acts in American rock history sharing an NFL stadium on Independence Day. Dylan, Garcia, Petty — all on one stage, one summer night. Forty years ago.
Journey at Saratoga Performing Arts Center — July 3, 2001
Journey played SPAC in Saratoga Springs. ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,’ ‘Open Arms,’ ‘Faithfully,’ ‘Wheel in the Sky’ — arena-rock anthems under the pines. Twenty-five years ago.
Loretta Lynn at Bonnie Castle Recreation Center — July 2, 1990
By 1990, Loretta Lynn was already country music royalty — the Coal Miner’s Daughter who turned a hardscrabble Kentucky upbringing into one of the most decorated careers in Nashville history. On this summer night she brought “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” and “Fist City” to Bonnie Castle in Alexandria Bay, a Thousand Islands […]
Phish at Saratoga Performing Arts Center — July 1, 2016
Phish played the first of three nights at SPAC. The Vermont jam band’s annual SPAC run was a pilgrimage for fans across the Northeast. Three nights of improvisation, community, and musical adventure. Ten years ago.
Bob Dylan at Artpark Mainstage — June 30, 2016
Bob Dylan played the Artpark Mainstage in Lewiston — the Nobel laureate’s Never Ending Tour bringing six decades of American music to the Niagara Gorge. Dylan live was always unpredictable, always essential. Ten years ago.
Run-D.M.C. / LL Cool J / Whodini at Rochester Community War Memorial — June 29, 1986
Forty years ago tonight, the Raising Hell Tour pulled into Rochester Community War Memorial — Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, and Whodini — and hip-hop officially graduated to the arena circuit. ‘Walk This Way’ had dropped weeks earlier and was already remaking American radio. Run, DMC, and Jam Master Jay tore through ‘My Adidas,’ ‘It’s Tricky,’ […]
The Rolling Stones at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium — June 28, 1966
The Rolling Stones played the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones — the Stones at the height of the British Invasion. ‘Satisfaction,’ ‘Get Off of My Cloud,’ ‘The Last Time.’ Western New York got the most dangerous band in the world. Sixty years ago.
Megadeth, Slayer & Anthrax at Orange County Fairgrounds — June 27, 1991
Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax — the Clash of the Titans tour — hit the Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown. Three of thrash metal’s Big Four at a Hudson Valley fairgrounds. Thirty-five years ago.