Our '''Lost Rochester Bands''' provides a place to share information about the history of bands that were once part of the ["Rochester"] ["music scene"]. Please add your own favorite bands that have passed from the scene by editing them in (please '''''sign''''' any major edited additions) or contributing via the [#comments Comments section], below.

[[tableofcontents]]

==60's==

* '''Dry Rain''' -1968-70 a well known Rochester rock band that dominated the High school circuit in the late 1960s w/ Mike Kelly on guitar (Bill Doggett). Mike is now a well known jazz artist and studio player who has recorded with Della Reese (touched by an angel) and blues great Francine Reed. Dave "Doc" Salatino also on guitar, has played locally and regionally. Steve Ceroni on organ, Pat Sciortino (r.i.p.) on drums and Gary Vincelli on bass.

* '''["Lost Rochester Bands/Angry Young Men" Angry Young Men]''' - Formed In 1964 by Brad Wheat , all the orginal members were from Rush-Henrietta Central School. Last appeared in 1991 at a reunion. See also [http://www.60sgaragebands.com/angryyoungmen.html Angry Young Men] on 60sGarageBands.com

* '''The Howz''' - late 1960s. Pronounced "The House," the group was virtually one of the house bands for the then-booming student hangout, ["The Varsity Inn"].

* '''The Invictas''' - early to late 1960s. The quintessential bar band and, in addition to Wilmer & The Dukes, one of the first to make it big, at least regionally, for a while. Riding the crest of Beatlemania in 1964 and 1965, the group performed regularly at the infamous Tiny's Bengal Inn at the end of St. Paul Blvd, a hole in the wall with a legal capacity of about 100 but which often crammed over 200 18-21 year-olds within its vibrating walls. Led by Herb Gross, the band scored a regional hit with "The Hump," creating a sort of "Invictamania" in the area which led to bookings at nearly every high school and college in the area. The Hump 45 and was followed by an album which did modest sales in the area. In 2006, Gross held several reunion concerts in the Rochester area sponsored by The House of Guitars.

* '''The Quirks''' - mid-1960s. Perfect covers of Beatles, Kinks, The Stones, et al. The only band I've known to ever do The Beatles' "Rain", backwards track and all! Band leader/lead guitar was Dale Celke. Bass Bob Sohner. Rhythm Kit Nelson. Have forgotten drummer's name. Anyone know what happened to any of them?

Why yes, I do. Kit Nelson here. Dan Weale was the drummer. Bob Soehner died in 1998, I think. The band had big plans for a reunion in Oct. 2007. We had 2 gigs lined up and a lot of preliminary work was being done. In the end Dale decided he couldn't make it and the whole thing came to a screeching halt. For the complete story on the band and the 60's Rochester music scene, see [http://www.kitnelson.com] click on "The Quirks." I had forgotten about our version of "Rain." Fun!

* "Hammer" Late 1960's early 1970's. What happened to them???

==70's==

* '''Black Sheep''' - 1970s rock band featuring Louie Grammatico (Lead Vocals), Donnie Mancuso (Guitar), Larry "Rose" Crozier (Keys), Bruce Turgon (Bass) and Ronnie Rocco (Drums). The band, signed by Capitol Records, released the single ''Stick Around'' in 1974, the album ''Black Sheep'' in 1975, and the album ''Encouraging Words'' in 1976. They were no longer performing when Grammatico was invited by Mick Jones to join the band Foreigner. Grammatico was reportedly hesitant at first but later joined Foreigner and changed his name to Lou Gramm. Rumor has it that the reason the band stopped performing was due to the destruction of all the gear during an accident the band truck was involved in. Mancuso and Rocco went on to play in Cheater with Jeff Cosco while Gramm soared to the top of the charts with his new band. Mancuso reunited with Gramm and still plays today with the Lou Gramm Band in addition to his own project "D Drive".

* '''Freedom Tree'''-1970's, Terry Lasaponara(drums)...

* '''Monolith''' -1970s Excellent Tull and Zeppelin covers. Possibly from Buffalo area.

* '''North''' - 1970s, Rock. They had a terrific sound, although they never made it very big.

Kit Nelson here again, I played bass in North 1972-73 when the band broke up. North began in 1971 on a communal farm south of Rochester called Hillcrest. The members were Dan Snyder - guitar and vocals, Lenny Sass - Keyboards and vocals, Burt Levine - lead guitar, Steve (Oppie) Openheim - second guitar and vocals, Peter Solow - drums and a bass player named Ned (don't remember his last name). Ned was replaced by Bob Soehner and then I replaced Bob in 1972.

The band had wonderful songwriting by Dan, Lenny and Oppie. They experienced a stunning creativity explosion that produced a very strong list of original tunes featuring very rich arrangements, meaningful lyrics and high energy. They entered one of their songs, "Buffalo," in a national song writing contest and won first prize, $10,000. worth of gear. They played the very first live on-air concert WCMF did in Oct. 1971. A second concert was aired in March, 1972. A great live tape exists of that concert.

In the summer of 1972, the band moved out of Hillcrest and got a gig at the Playboy Club in New Jersey. This was seen as a big opportunity to expose the band nationally. It proved to be a disaster. It turned out that the Playboy people wanted a lounge type act and the band was forced to play dinner music and other non-North material. This went on 6 nights a week for 10 weeks. It severely damaged the creative momentum. When it was over, the band tried to regroup at a summer camp in New Hampshire. That's when I replaced Bob Soehner. The band started gigging in the area and there were some flashes of the old magic. There was little money and few prospects. Peter Solow and Oppie Openheim both finally called it quits. The band moved down to the Boston area and got a new drummer, Dimitri Djimopoulis, from Greece. The band hung on a while longer but it was not meant to be. The band's history is an example of just how much damage can result when a band is booked into the wrong room.

Dan went on to pursue a career in NYC through the 80's as Danny Echoes and with a band called Range War. Range war recorded an album and had some success in Europe. The CD is available on the internet.

* '''Pearl''' - Late 70's early 80"s rock and roll band fronted by vocalist Debbie Randyn, a powerful rock/blues based vocalist. The band started in 1975 and started traveling through Canada where it developed a large following. There are too many memories to put into words about that experience so I'll start with some of the basics. The original band started with Debbie Randyn on vocals, Mike Blocker on Guitar and vocals, Carl Lang on drums and vocals, Jerry Magill on keys and vocals and Jerry Falzone on bass. Almost from the beginning Pearl wanted to do its own material. Blocker and Falzone were two rapidly developing songwriters and Magill and Lang followed in those steps quite quickly. Debbie got into the songwriting bit by contributing lyrics on a few songs.

After four years Mike and Carl left the band and were replaced by guitarist Ray Bellizia and drummer Dave Clarke. Ray brought in a maturity and stage presence that helped fuel the growth of the band into the next phase. Pearl had been managed by Jim Armstrong out of Penn Yan, NY and got the band a gig at the famous CBGB's club in NYC. After securing a gig at Guildersleeves in Greenwhich Village, New York, the band was "discovered" by entertainment lawyer Dennis Kaplan and Kieth Garde. Signed to a management deal the band quickly released an EP simply titled Pearl. The record featured four songs written by Ray and quickly earned a Top Album Pick from Billboard Magazine. After things didn't progress in the way they had hoped and tiring of touring and playing clubs, the band broke up in early 1982.

Mike Blocker is currently leading a blues band in New Hampshire called Still Breathin' with a great CD. Debbie is keeping up her chops as a vocalist, with a solo CD released in 1999 titled "Talk To Me" in which most of the songs were written by Jerry Falzone. Jerry Falzone is getting ready to release a third solo CD in late 2013 . Read all about it at http://jerryfalzone.com. Jerry Magill is retired and has been touring the world and Ray Bellizia and Carl Lang have been working on separate music projects through the years. Dave Clarke may be living back in Portland Maine. Scott Matyjazek (sound tech) has a very successful photographer/artist career which can be viewed at www.artephax.com.

* '''Prisoner''' Late 1970's, Rock band. These guys rocked, they were a local act that played many popular covers such as Thin Lizzy, Aerosmith, Zepplin, REO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, etc... I remember Rick Beato on guitar and John Ciavarro on drums, John was related to Ray Bellzia from the band "Pearl" and Rick's younger brother Jon grew up to be a fine player himself and is a founding member of the current band "North Side Johnny".

* '''Rain''' - 1970s, Blues-based Rock. They recorded an eponymous album with "Boogie With You Mama" and "Tulane." Jim Paris was a member (bass player?). Probably the most popular rock band in their short-lived era.

* '''["/Easy Street" Easy Street]''' - early 1970s cover band played frequently at Tim's Tavern in Gates. Easy Street was the most popular band in western New York at that time boasting a following from Buffalo to the 1000 Islands. People couldn't get enough of the band compelling them to maintain a grueling schedule with the band performing six and seven nights a week. ["Users/HowardGoldwasser" Howard] says that "being in Easy Street was one of the best experiences in my life-I'm really proud that we made a lot of people happy with our music."

* '''Slipton Fell''' - late '70's band from Pittsford-Mendon High School that was formed by Chris Cady (guitar, vocals), Steve Anderson (guitar, vocals), Mark De Angelis (drums) and Dave Knight (bass). Steve, Mark and Chris were all in the Class of '79 and Dave was Class of '81. In late '78 or early '79 a PMHS Class of '77 grad named Jeff Decker joined the band. Jeff brought quite a repertoire of originals to the band. Standout songs included "Burnin' Heart", "Wild Notion", "Holiday For The Heart", "Buckshot", "Risin'", "Movin' Feelin'", and "Alone in the Rain". Slipton Fell was also known for their excellent covers of Grateful Dead, Tom Petty and Little Feat songs, especially "Fat Man in The Bathtub". At some point after graduation in 1979 Mark De Angelis was replaced on drums by Joe West. In 1981 Dave Knight was replaced by Don Torpy on bass. The band played regularly at The Mason Jar, The Cottage Hotel, and Tuckers in Rochester, once opening for The Dead's lyricist Robert Hunter at the Mason Jar. But also gigged outside of the Rochester area through late 1981 or early '82 when the band went on hiatus. They played a few "reunion" gigs over the past 25+ years with Knight returning on bass and De Angelis and West often both playing drums. There were a few of these reunion shows in the 1980's, one in 1999, and since 2005 have played almost annually in the Rochester area. Jeff Decker has since passed away, but the band still plays tribute to him every reunion gig and he is sorely missed by family, friends and Slipton Fell fans. More info can be found on the band's Facebook fan page [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slipton-Fell/117051921652179].

==80's==

* '''Hard Rain''' - [https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hard-Rain-Rochester-NY/647821888575543] - Reunion show December 21st, 2013 at Nola's!

* '''Voices''' - The band is from Rochester, NY and began in the early 80s. The original lineup included Rob Lavaque (Keys | Lead Vocals), Gary Skinner (Guitars | Lead Vocals), Lanny Aucter (Drums) and John Fisher (Bass | Moog Pedals). The band was known for its progressive rock music which included covers from Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, Peter Gabriel, and the like. After a successful debut in the Rochester area, Gary Skinner left the band and was replaced by Jon Michael Engard (Guitars | Lead Vocals). By the mid 80s, Voices implemented a more pop-rock genre but continued their Genesis set while recording their album "New Bamboo" with hits such as "Drive In Show" and "Return To Human". Drive In Show got a lot of airplay in the area, which helped the band to grow into one of the most popular bands in the area. After years of playing to packed houses, the band disbanded to pursue other interests. Eventually the band re-formed with new drummer David Taddeo and went in a new direction. As Genesis cover bands became more and more popular (805, No Camouflage, Artisan), Voices began playing the music of Pink Floyd and renamed itself to "Dark Side of the Moon" playing the album in its entirety - verbatim. Dark Side of the Moon played two full sets of Floyd music and was one of the first local bands to use intelligent lighting and a large-screen video display timed to the music. Due to their popularity, they outgrew most local clubs and began to play exclusively at the Water Street Music Hall - the only venue that could support the crowd. Eventually the band limited its performances to once a year during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Due to personal health reasons, the band stopped play in early 2000s and is still on hiatus as of the time of this entry. Its unlikely they will perform again.

* '''Absolute Grey''' - [http://www.absolutegrey.com] 1980s, supposedly part of the 'paisley underground', and featured in a story titled [http://www.democratandchronicle.com/entertainment/night/features/ent_1635.shtml Revisiting Absolute Grey] in the ["Democrat & Chronicle"]. Absolute Grey's "Greenhouse" LP originally released on the Personal Effects owned Earring Records was re-released as a double-CD on its 20th anniversary by Paisley Pop[http://www.paisleypop.com.com] out of Portland, OR.

* '''Active Driveway''' - early 80s post-punk band that emerged from the ashes of '''Deadpants''' ("Surf Ohio") and that bands' triumph at the ["Monroe County Fair"] in the summer of 1980. Active Driveway featured the pseudonymous Dash Beatcomber (fretless bass, lead vocals), Dora Brilliant (vocals), Joshu (guitar), and Keith Fraemont (drums, tape effects) and had a popular post-punk song, "Gotta Dance (Dance It Away)," which was in heavy rotation on WFUV (90.7, NYC) in 1981-82. The unique vocal styling of Beatcomber and Brilliant was influenced by Nina Hagen, Lene Lovich, Yoko Ono, the Flying Lizards, and Public Image, Ltd., while Fraemont and Joshu were the musical backbone of the group. The duo brought a heavy guitar and drum sound to Active Driveway's cover of The Who's "My Generation" and early "sampling" experiments utilized on "Can You Teach Me to Fly Like That? (Jonathan Livingston Seagull)." While associated with the Rochester scene, the band also had tentacles in New York City and Cleveland, Ohio, including possibly opening for the Psychedelic Furs. Their exploits were frequently covered by ''Rockstop Magazine'', which was started in part to promote this and other projects of Beatcomber's alter-ego. Active Driveway recorded and released their music ("Active Driveway: Do Not Stop") on the cassette-only indie label, Sorry Kitten Records. They disbanded in 1985 after recording now-lost versions of an original "Blondes On Bikes" (Beatcomber/Joshu) and a early alt-country cover of Bob Dylan's "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry."

* '''Asylum''' - A four-piece rock band out of Chili, NY formed in 1980. The lineup included Lee Heftel (Lead Vocals | Bass), Mark Cinquino (Guitar), Tom Waters (Guitar) an Pat Ashby (Drums). The band played mostly covers from Rush, AC/DC, Judas Priest, etc. The name of the band came from the Supertramp song of the same name. The band played in mostly small venues like the Pink Parrot and the Orange Monkey drawing a modest crowd. After they disbanded, Heftel went on to form No Camouflage while Ashby eventually joined the reformed national recording artist Quiet Riot.

* '''Backtalk''' - A band that formed in Pittsford at Barker Road Junior High School in the Fall of 1980 by Mark Keaton (drums, vocals), Rob Kurtz (Guitar, Vocals), Chandler Coyle (guitar) and Mike Fleckenstein (Bass). The band had various names early on before settling on Backtalk. They were known The End, Blue Skyes, Blue Skyes and Sunshine, and Easy Off and The Oven Cleaners. In 1980, the band started rehearsing at the school in one of the music rooms after school using the equipment on hand. Eventually the band got serious and moved rehearsals to the basement of the Keaton family on Railroad Mills Road in Pittsford. Within a year the band added Dan Parker (lead guitar) and Sandy Britt replace Fleckenstein on bass. The band played many house parties, teen centers (The Ark in Perinton/Fairport), school dances, the Mendon H.S. pep rallies, holiday parties, and many summer festivals. In December 1982 the band went into PCI recording studios to record a demo for the original song (written by Terry Brown, the band's mentor at the time) "Take a Piece of Me". The band continued to gig regularly until February 1984 when it made its last appearance at a Minerva Deland dance. Chandler Coyle left the band and headed out of town to college. The remaining members regrouped with Ted Keaton on guitar and vocals and started The Young Idea.

* '''Cappy and the Frenchmen''' - early 80s- concurrent with New Math, the Cliches, Presstones and Personal Effects, Cappy performed at Scorgies and the Arcade. ...great covers of Ramone's standards such as 'I wanna be sedated.' Original song "There's a Thing" was very evocative of the era.

* '''Nostalgia''' - mid to late 80s thru 90s. True cover band (from the 50s to the 90s covering many gendres). Originally a 4-piece band, Mike O'Hara (lead guitar & vocals), Steve Karnes (drums & vocals), Gerry Anne (bass & vocals), Bill Friday (rhythm guitar & vocals). Later expanded to a 6-piece band with the addition of Jim Schulz (keyboard, trumpet, harmonica, etc. & harmonies) [ ''see '''Angry Young Men''' for more about Jim''], and Sam Palermo (sax). Mike Latoski replaced Bill Friday in 1986? Others came and went up until about 1998 when they finally disbanded. They played many venues (Someplace Close, Coffey's Pub, Island Cottage, Teaser's Lounge, Casablanca, California Brew House, Shannon's, Rush Hotel, Mastrella's Steak House, Red Creek) as well as Seneca Park Zoofest, Rochester Festival Tent, 19th Ward Street Party and many private parties and weddings. '''See also''' [http://www.frontiernet.net/~w.friday/theband.html] for more info & pictures.

* '''Claude Raines''' - Does anybody know anything about them? I have a tape of WITR dated 3-18-87 and the DJ said that they played at Idols and were one of his favorite local bands. The song he played was "Stumblin' Hard" and it's a very nice production. Any info would be appreciated... Alternative / Indie / Rock http://www.myspace.com/clauderaines so I don't think this is a past band.

* '''Dark Heart Alarm''' - Late 80's. Sounded like Echo and the Bunnymen and U2. Played "Idols" and "Jazzberrys" a lot. Founded by songwriter, David Whiting and initially launched with the aid of Miche' Fambro (Met at the legendary Buzzo's, in Geneseo). The earliest version of DHA included future Anglos, Tim Bright and Chris Link (now with Lazlo Bane). Most memorable version of DHA consisted of David Whiting (vocals), Bill Bogart (guitar), Jim Schreck (guitar, drums, bass), Jeff Dopko (drums) (now with Gray Young, in Raleigh, NC), Joel Johnson (bass keyboards). Split around '89. Some members formed "The Great Divide". David and Bill reunited in 2000 and released self titled DHA disc. Songs freely shared upon request ( search myspace for David Dark or Dark Heart Alarm). New recordings and maybe even a live performance coming in 2009. http://www.reverbnation.com/darkheartalarm

* '''DOG'S LIFE''' - Late 80's and 90's phenom. Dan Snyder, Dave Snyder, Lee Chabowski, Amy Brown. The music was original, quirky, poppy, hooky and addictive. Those who were lucky enough to experience this scene will never forget the fun of these shows. Not enough can be said about this band. The Dogs are legends in their own time. Every show felt like the biggest band in the galaxy just landed in a field nearby and was actually playing at the local corner watering hole. Dan is now the front man for The Quitters. Lee and Amy are now two-fifths of Brooklyn's '''The Modern Airline'''. http://www.themodernairline.com

* '''Duke Jupiter''' - 1980s, seemingly made it to the big time. More info may be found in the [http://www.dukejupiter.com/bio.html About Us] section of the [http://www.dukejupiter.com/ Duke Jupiter website]. See [http://www.marshallstyler.com/ Marshall Styler's ](the keyboardist) new website. he creates new Age music that is really pretty good.

*'''Fantom'''-1984-87. 80s Hair Metal. The band started out as '''Delinquint''' in mid 1984 then added a new name and guitarist. The original line up included: Lead Vocals- Dave Calarco, Guitar- Paul Blocchi and Dave Rowlands, Bass-Vinny Cavuoto and Drums-Mike Mae. Their high energy shows made them one of Rochester's hottest young bands. Fantom disbanded in 1987 and some of the former members were still involved in the music scene afterwards. Mike Mae played in numerous bands here and in NYC. Dave Calarco and Dave Rowlands continued playing for some time and Vinny Cavuoto had some original material played on "Homegrown".

*'''Vegas''' (http://sweet-lou.com/orig_vegas.htm) was formed by Lou Ricigliano and Rich Fiordeliso in 1979. Consisting of Lou on Guitar and vocals , Rich on the Hammond B3 and vocals, Lex Byers on Lead vocals, Nick Russo on drums and vocals, and Chris DeFazio on bass and vocals, the band rose to number one in Rochester in only three short weeks. Playing two one hour sets of current music, the performed a third one hour show set consisting of classic groups such as Three Dog Nite, The Rascals, Motown, The Beatles, Jay and the Americans, and a 50's show. Vegas played six nights a week at the top clubs in the area and often had fans standing in line waiting to enter the club. The band reformed in 1983 as '''Lex Byers and Vegas'''(http://sweet-lou.com/LBvegas.htm) with a three piece horn section added. That band consisted of Lex Byers on vocals, Lou on Guitar, Rich Fiordeliso on Keys, John Pascarella on Drums, Gary Terwilliger on Bass, Rick Austin on Sax, Doc Davis on Trombone, and Jimmy Squirrell on Trumpet. Rich and Lou left the band in 1984 and members of the band eventually reformed as the Coup DeVilles.

* '''Park Avenue''' was a group that Kevin Knapp and Lou Ricigliano put together during the time period between "Vegas" and "Lex Byers & Vegas" . The group consisted of Lou on Guitar and vocals, Kevin on the Hammond and Keys, Guitar and vocals, Frank on Drums, Shelly Knapp on vocals, and Joe Coleman on Bass and vocals. Lou left the band and eventually re-joined "Lex Byer and Vegas". Kevin and Lou eventually got back together again years later to form '''R*Gang''' around 1988 which became a very popular and requested band.

* '''Exploding Boy''' - Late 80's and mid 90's pop rock band. One of Rochester's top drawing and best known live acts at that time. They had a song called "Charity" in heavy rotation on 96.5 WCMF and Rocket 95.1. Former bassist '''Anthony Errigo''' now plays in Rochester band '''The Taint''' with '''John Akers''' and '''Erik Welsh''' (formerly of '''Hard Rain'''). Singer/guitarist '''Michael Petrantoni''' has relocated to Florida and is still performing under the name '''Michael J''' [http://www.michaeljmusic.com] [http://www.myspace.com/michaelj]. He has had music featured in the major motion picture '''3 Needles''' starring Lucy Liu, Stockard Channing, Chloe Sevigny, Sandra Oh, and Olympia Dukakis, and ABC Family's hit drama '''Falcon Beach'''. Former drummer '''Jason Mirwald''' now resides in Connecticut where he is raising a family.

* '''Miche and the Anglos''' - 1980s rock/new-wavy goodness. Nicely described in [http://lostbands.blogspot.com/2004/05/mich-and-anglos-one-of-those-things.html Miché and the Anglos - "One of Those Things"]. Miché and the Anglos recordings (plus a live reunion set) can be purchased (for download or on CD) on [http://www.miche.com Miché's site], along with his current solo recordings.

* '''Nerve Circus''' - Nerve Circus was a successful power pop trio that lived from 1987 to 1995.

In 1987 Nerve Circus was founded by Tom Gatley ([http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=410056&id=1448843108&ref=nf#/profile.php?id=1301290446&ref=ts Tom's Facebook Page]) and Steve Gissin, with first bass player Greg Collins-now, a Grammy Winning Producer & Engineer ([http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=560878531&ref=ts Greg's Facebook Page]). Soon after forming, they began regional touring, packing clubs in the upstate NY area. In 1989, Nerve Circus was signed to Circularphile Records , releasing their debut “Just Relax” to critical acclaim. Rolling Stone wrote that Nerve Circus is “…long on memorable hooks and melodies…rife with potential….”

Four years of national touring ensued as Nerve Circus traveled around the US supporting bands such as The Goo Goo Dolls, Crash Test Dummies, Fugazi, All, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones., Sponge, King Missile, Spin Doctors, and the Replacements. In 1992, Gaetano Abbate joined as the final bass player in the lineup.

After hearing Nerve Circus perform at the Empire Music Conference in 1993, producer/engineer Eddie Kramer (Kiss, Led Zeppelin Jimi Hendrix) agreed to work with the band.

In 1995, Nerve Circus released the CD “Filth” on Prolific Records. New York music periodical "The Music Paper" included Nerve Circus as one of the “Top 10 Unsigned Bands of 1995”.

Nerve Circus disbanded in late 1995 and disappeared after recording a six-song demo which was never released.

* '''New Math''' - 1980s, Alternative Rock (or New Music). One of the earliest and most popular Rochester bands in post-punk era. Kevin Patrick seemed to be the organizer (he went on to do A&R for Warner Records I believe). Here's a [http://members.aol.com/MickeyMoto/NewMath.html Fan page].

* '''No Camouflage''' - This band was founded by bassist Lee Heftel in the early 80s along with a keyboardist who's name escapes me. The two brought in drummer Joe Viscardi and guitarist Bob Griesnsenbeck. The meaning behind the name "No Camouflage" was to signify their attention to detail of the cover music they played - they claimed they didn't "camouflage" the music. They played in the Rochester area as a four-piece group until they brought on lead vocalist Jeff Brocowski (AKA Jeff Martin). Due to internal differences, the band later replaced Heftel and the keyboardist with another bassist (name?) and keyboardist Tim Hinkey. Not long after, Jeff left the band and was replaced by Matt Farris and Joe left the band and was replaced by drummer Dave Taddeo. The band played progressive rock covers from Genesis, Gabriel, UK, etc. They drew significant crowds. (NOTE: Dave Taddeo went on to play with Pink Floyd tribute act Dark Side of the Moon while maintaining his commitment to No Camouflage.)

* '''["Nosferatu"]''' - thrash metal band that performed from July 1989 to August 1992.

* '''Personal Effects''' - [http://www.therefrigerator.net/music/personaleffects.html Personal Effects] was one of Rochester's most popular bands in the early eighties. A video from MTV is currently posted at [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V98zAHGr8PA youtube.com.] They released 6 albums - one on the NYC label, Cachalot Records, 4 on Earring Records and 1 on Restless Records (US)/Virgin Records (Europe). Today 3 of the 4 members play in the instrumental improv jazz band [http://www.popwars.com/margaretexplosion Margaret Explosion].

* '''The Living''': Three piece band playing original music in the mid to late 80s. Was a favorite at Idols dance club. Opened for bands such as Fishbone, Bob Mould and Henry Rollins. The Living went on to record a four song demo produced by Miche Fambro of Miche and the Anglos; which attracted interest from the A&R Departments at both Rhino Records and Arista Records. Their original song "Take the World" was in regular rotation at the local college radio station WITR. The band was also favorably reviewed by the national music magazine "Alternative Press", in their 38th Publication. Calvin May, guitarist for the band currently works as a sound engineer and producer. Bass player Reverend Samual Lovetro is a web designer and indie film maker. Drummer and lead singer Emerson Mitchell is an attorney living in Ithaca, New York.

* '''The Press Tones''' - Early 80's power pop punk group featuring Jim Freeze, B.B. Lummocks, Peter Presstone, Simon Ribas, "Teeny Tiny" Tony Brown and "Machine Gun" John Schwittek. Released one 45RPM for Archive Records.

* '''The Rumbles''' 1980s, Rock. Trio, Lanay Depalma (guitar), Denise W. (bass), and Jim Huie[http://www.paisleypop.com] on drums. Lanay played a nice guitar. Recorded an album, "Jump to Confusion"[http://www.hemisphere.nl/asp/detail.asp?id=011032] on AFM Records which received airplay on John Peel's BBC One program. "Dictator" was probably their best known song in Rochester, although Uncle Roger gave considerable airplay to "Unanswered" on his WCMF "Homegrown" show on Sunday nights. In 1988, Musician Magazine judges Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, Mark Knopfler and Mitchell Froom who chose the band as a semi-finalist in the Unsigned Band contest (they placed #13 out of 20). In 1989 they recorded a 5 song demo tape with British producer Huw Gower (The Records, Graham Parker, David Johansen) which later song the song "Unanswered" released on the CMJ "Certain Dammage" #27 CD. Following the demise of the band in 1991, Huie went on to drum with Joff Wilson in The Fugitives and later was a founding member of Phil Marshall's Lalaland. He currently drums for Paisley Underground legends, True West [http://www.truewestreunion.com], out of Davis, California.

* '''“THREE BOXES”''' - Late 80’s / Mid 90's. I really loved that band. They came out with “Real India” on CD while other bands were still making vinyl. They had enough vision to hire a producer who helped them create a really professional album that got a rave review in Rolling Stone magazine. I remember the concert at the Cinema Theatre, with crazy film clips projected behind them, and their live laser show at the planetarium, which both totally blew me away. After relocating to Manila in 1994 they released "Love of Boxer Shorts" which hit the charts in Japan and the Philippines. It was awesome too. Recently I did some research and found out what happened to them. Tim (singer, guitar player) is a very successful scriptwriter in Hollywood who has worked on such films as The Departed and Transformers. Mike (bass player) is living in Europe and has worked with such bands as Cold Play and Kings of Convenience, and Bob (drummer) is currently the famous drag queen “Roberta” in NYC.

* '''“Woody Dodge”''' - Late 80's present. See their page here on Roc Wiki and the official website: http://woodydodge.com

* '''STREET PLAYER''' - Talk of the Rochester Music scene in the 1980s would be incomplete without mentioning '''Street Player'''. The band originated in 1979 and had a 12 year run as one of the best bands in the city. It began as a small wedding band consisting of Joe Arnone on sax, Paul Tross on guitar, Charlie Rowe on drums, Neil O'Keefe on bass and Ricky Orico on keys. This very successful wedding band evolved into one of the most successful Top 40 bands in the city by 1983 as Ricky Orico took over the band in 1981 and transitioned this small wedding band into a Top 40 powerhouse! There were personnel changes at that time that included the addition of one of Rochester's greatest male vocalists, Billy Schifano. Billy had sung with such bands as The Showcase, Kracker, & Easy Street prior to his joining Street Player. In addition, Debbie Randyn, a phenomenal female vocalist, took the stage beside Billy and created a sound that was unbeatable! Debbie Randyn had sung with Pearl, a powerhouse Rochester rock band at the time. George Demott took over on drums, Chris Difazio on bass, Bob Colucci on lead guitar, and Larry Davis on Sax. Ricky remained on keys and led this group of powerhouse players to the top of the Rochester Top 40 music scene. Over the 12 years that Street Player entertained the people of Rochester, there were many changes. Billy and Ricky remained the backbone of the band for its entire run. Other female vocalists that graced the stage with these 2 amazing musicians were Dianne Shabbarazzi, Hilliary Urrezetta, & Jody Martino. The other drummers included Lisa Valente, John Pascarella, Joe Viscartti, & Chris Brake, other bassists were Fuji Fujimoto, Mark White, Rich Robinson & Al Bogar, Al Haig on Sax, and, the only other lead guitarist to play with this band, Davey Gruttadauria. The band was a regular fixture at the Rochester Holiday Inn Airport and Airport Ramada, Scoops, Slammers, the Spur, Red Creek, the New Yorker, The Newport House, Beaches, Island Cottage, Fast Eddies, the Engine House in Batavia, & the Batavia Sheraton. Their humanitarian spirit was evident with the numerous benefit concerts they performed throughout the years, most notably for the annual Camp Good Days and Special Times Benefit & Jim Kelly's Hunter's Hope Foundation Benefits. June 1991 saw the final performance of the band on the stage at The Spur to a soldout crowd of fans and well-wishers. Most of the band members went onto other bands and other venues but to this day the memories of those busy and exciting years with the band are still talked about with fondness.
Final Performance band members: Jody Martino (lead vocals, percussion), Billy Schifano (lead vocals, percussion), Bob Colucci (lead guitar, vocals), Ricky Orico (keys, vocals), Al Bogar (bass, vocals), Joe Viscartti (drums).

[[File(Street Player Final Performance - After All.m4a)]]
[[File(Street Player Final Performance - Wanna Be Rich.m4a)]]

==90's==

* '''Big Hair''' – Aside from being one of the best bands in Upstate NY, Big Hair was one of the best bands coming out of ''anywhere'' in the 1990s. The four-piece shaped the face of Rochester music for years to come with their unique style of avant-garde funk-punk. Jeff Steverson of Gaylord describes Big Hair stating, “Imagine King Crimson mixed with Slayer, Rush, Charlie Daniels, and then throw in a little Primus and you've almost got Big Hair.” The 4-piece consisted of Todd, singer/ bass player, Obediah, fiddle, Drew, drums and Tom, guitar. Back in the day it was not uncommon to catch Big Hair sharing the stage at club X, with Lethargy, Zezozose and other fun favorites, keeping the audience head banging, and laughing—all at the same time. Big Hair was truly one of the best bands coming out of Rochester in the past 20 years, and unfortunately one of the most forgotten.

* '''The Blackouts''' - Late 90's early 2000's Ska band that experienced a good deal of local success. Their last show was played at ["Milestones"].

* '''Cherry Gun''' - (Not quite passed: Playing at the Bug Jar on Saturday, July 14) 1990s mix of X and Pixies with female vocals if I remember correctly (a lot of beer was consumed at their shows). [http://www.rochesterpunk.com/mp3.shtml Some Cherry Gun mp3's] may be found on the Rochester Punk website.

* '''Dark Side of the Moon''' - Late 80s / early 90s Pink Floyd tribute act Dark Side of the Moon wowed sellout crowds with its near perfect reproduction of the famous Floyd album along with its stunning sound and video production. Former members of the popular band '''Voices''', band leader / founder Rob Lavaque (Keys | Lead Vocals) joined Jon Michael Engard (Guitars | Lead Vocals), Robbie Robinson (Bass | Bass Pedals) and Dave Taddeo (Drums) to create one of the most intriguing bands in upstate NY. The band also included Joan Burton, Terry Hand-Smith and Sonya Tratch (background vocals) as the "Floydettes" and special-guests saxophone players such as Jimmy Richmond and Brian Dolby. Both Joan and Terry took turns singing ''Great Gig in the Sky'' which brought many-a-tear to the audience. DSM was one of the first bands to use intelligent lighting and large-screen video as part of the Pink Floyd experience. The band played limited gigs and eventually played only once a year at the Water Street Music Hall ''(the only venue that could handle the crowd)'' during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. The band stopped playing in the early 2000s due to personal health reasons.

* '''Dresden''' - 1989-1991: This new-wave/pop band played in Rochester and across New York State. Lead singer was Dresden Engle (still performing in Rochester as a singer/comedian/playwright) and the latest incarnation of the band included Susan Yanovsky, Michael Civalier, and Luann Arena. Songs were played on local radio stations including live shows on WBER. The band recorded their original music with Dave Anderson at Saxon Recording.

* '''The Goonies''' - Late 90's, early 2000's Ska band that won several local Battle of the Bands awards

* '''Virgin Jungle''' - Early 90's hard rock. This short-lived group seemed to have everything going for them. Legendary producer Eddie Kramer (Kiss, Hendrix, Zep) signed them to some type of deal and produced a few of their tunes. Heard them on the radio a few times. I believe the grunge scene put an end to many of these bands. Too bad.. these guys actually knew how to write songs.

* '''Koo Koo Boy''' - Often performing in a referee's shirt and "tighty-whitey" underwear, Scott Coblio led this alternative act throughout the early/mid 90's. They have been referred to as: "Blondie through a Marshall" & "Blondie meets Bela Lugosi."

* '''["Lethargy"]''' - Early 90's Tech/Death Metal bands. Erik Burke(Sulaco, Kalibas, Lasers, Nuclear Assault, Brutal Truth), Adam Routier (Bitch in the Well), Bill Keliher and Bran Dailor (Today is the Day, Mastodon) One of the most popular and original Metal acts to play in the area. Full Discography CD available from Spoth Records.

* '''Loopus''' - Rapcore band. 1995-2003 They toured with Vans Warped Tour for 5 years in that run. Band split up and joined 3 other bands. Setiva, Absolution Project, and Driving The Fall.

* '''Malcolm The Vampire''' - Alternative Rock band active from 1994-1997. Their first show was at the coffeehouse in Brockport. First show in Rochester was at the Abyss on South Avenue with Butterslax (a band that also featured Bill Kelliher on guitar). Malcolm The Vampire (And The Enochs) originally featured Malcolm Moore on drums and vocals, Alex Kelley on guitar and Karl Wasco on bass and vocals. Karl's final show with MtV was on "Thanksgiving Eve" of 1995. The bass position was then filled by Sam Lovetro (formerly of The Living). The group performed shows as "Malcolm the Vampire 3." A full length album and an EP were recorded. Alex departed in the summer of 1997, Malcolm and Sam continued to record under the name "Majestic" until the end of 1997.

* '''Muler''' - Mid to late 90s indie rock band that was signed for a moment to [http://www.creation-records.com/ Creation Records]. The band had a poppy/bouncy/grungy sound to them which made them popular as an alternative to the budding scene of polished made for radio alternative rock. More info at [http://www.epitonic.com/index.jsp?refer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epitonic.com%2Fartists%2Fmuler.html Epitonic] and their [http://www.vu.union.edu/~muler/ old website]. You can still [http://www.carbonrecords.com/mailorder/search.php?search_field=artist&search_value=Muler order] some of their stuff through the local Carbon Records and through [http://www.deepelm.com/sum/351_sum.html Deep Elm]. Band members have gone on to bands like [http://www.hinkleysounds.com/ Hinkley] and [http://birdcircuitmusic.com/ Bird Circuit]. [http://www.rochesterpunk.com/snd/apple.mp3 Share An Apple] (mp3)

* '''Officer Friendly''' - Awesome early and mid 90's band. Started out as rock-funk and progressed to rock. They had a few songs in rotation on 96.5 WCMF. Not sure why they broke up. Their lead singer, John Gaenzler is rumored to be in NYC and playing with another band.

* '''R*Gang''' (http://sweet-lou.com/favorite.htm) was formed in 1979 by guitarist Lou Ricigliano and Keyboardist Kevin Knapp in order to perform classic rock. The original band consisted of Lou, Kevin, Bassist and vocalist Johnny DeYeager, and Dean Miller (deceased) on drums and vocals. During the basement phase, karl Laporta was added as a second keyboardist and vocalist, and Johnny DeYeager was replaced by Ron Tropiano. The band went through a few personal changes and ended up with Len Colantoni on drums and vocals, Paul Fricano on sax and vocals, and Steve Gallucchi on Bass, Lou and Karl. This line-up became in great demand and every weekend was booked. Performing in Clubs and Weddings, the band was very popular. '''R*Gang''' went on for a couple of years after Lou relocated to Virginia in 1993 and eventually broke up. Lou, Karl Steve, and Len do an '''R*Gang''' re-union every year in October in Gates, with Lou coming up from Virginia, and Steve from Philadelphia.

* '''Rukkus''' - Early 90's Rock/Metal. Former guitar player Nick Valente is currently raising a family and playing in the band "SYVYC". Bassist Jeff Gerew (preceded in Rukkus by Brian Price who left Rukkus to join Nerve Circus) works in the software technology field and as a freelance photographer. Drummer Chris Garbin runs an advertising agency and his brother Tommy, former singer, runs a a local commercial printing company. [http://www.myspace.com/therukkusneverstops Rukkus on MySpace]

* '''Slightly Psychedelic''' - 1990s, Rock/Alternative. Free Mp3 of Hump My Leg [http://humpmyleg.com Download] .

* '''The Vast''' - A crazy band with great sounding original music in the early to mid 90's. Their album, "Ingrid's Sandbox" is still kicking around out there. "The Vast" was the "Made in Rochester" Runner-up in 1992 and the Champion in 1993. They were a young band with a ton of energy, known for their crazy antics. One night they'd be dressed like Madonna, other nights they were Catholic priests, super heroes or donning tuxedos and prom dresses. They played at just about every bar and college in the state and could often be seen trying to foster the original music scene along with Hard Rain, Officer Friendly, Nerve Circus, Exploding Boy, and other popular local bands. The Vast had a unique sound that found a loyal following. They opened for a wide variety of other acts, ranging from avant-garde band King Missle to guitar virtuoso Yngwie Malmsteen, and even Irish rock band, The Cranberries. When they were half way through their follow-up album "Halamalawala", the band parted ways. Not much is known about the vocalist, guitarist or drummer, but their bassist, Jim Hanson went on to play with "The Lovematics" and "The Movies" and then moved to Nashville where he is currently the bassist for "The Creeping Cruds".

* '''["Standfast"]''' - Hardcore/Punk rock band formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2002.

* '''5head'''- Quality late 90's Ska Band. Opened for bands like Bim Skala Bim at Milestones and Pietasters at Water Street Music Hall. Original line-up was Rob Reed, Dan Snyder, Jason Thor, and Steve Pizzuto. Chris VanCampen replaced Dan Snyder on drums. Matt Blanchard joined in later on sax. Jason Thor is now playing with Brian Setzer Orchestra and other artists.

* '''Nasty Trast''' - mid nineties metal

* '''Hawaii''' - mid nineties metal

* '''SAHARA''' was the band of the 90's for former Street Player Band members Ricky Orico (keys) and Jody Martino (lead vocals). They were accompanied by Rod Eckrich on drums, Horace Love on bass and Howard Love on lead guitar. You cannot mention this band without recognizing the "lord god of sound waves", soundman Bill Hooper who brought a level of expertise to this band that brought the best out in all these amazing musicians! In addition to several other musicians that briefly played with the band, Billy Schifano, a former member of Street Player as well, often made guest appearances with the band! These talented musicians successfully played the Top 40 music venue from 1994 to 2002 at such places as The Spur, Scoops, The Newport House & Norton's Pub and most can be found playing in other bands throughout the Rochester area today!

==00's==

* '''Angel, Dust & Hoffman''' - Tight, fast punk rock, influenced by the NOFX/Bad Religion tradition, but also including bluegrass, lounge and country. Insane drums, great harmonies, hilarious songs, and sweet guitar work. Active 2004-2005, sold tens of albums, did a one-off reunion show in '09. Several members are now in [http://www.theisotopes.com The Isotopes] or possibly jail. [http://www.myspace.com/adhoffman Myspace with MP3's]

* '''Black Olive''' - In autumn of 2001, Jamie Brice (drums) and Eric "the" Taylor (keyboards) called Alex Kelley (guitar) to join a Progressive/Pop/Alternative band. They performed at the Bug Jar's David Bowie birthday bash in January 2002, recorded a couple of songs and took a break until the following autumn. In September 2002, Jennifer Kerner was added as vocalist. Jamie departed and Malcolm Moore was invited to play drums. The four piece recorded an EP of original material and opened for the Tony Levin Band in January 2003. The band broke up in February 2003. Alex performed with Robert Fripp's The League Of Crafty Guitarists in autumn of 2003. Jennifer worked on solo material then moved to L.A. Eric continues to record and perform around Rochester. Malcolm and Alex performed in a band called Sympathetic Echo from 2004-2007 and recorded and recorded (2010) Malcolm Moore's solo CD: Reannimation (found on iTunes).

* '''Can't Afford A Name''' -NoFx/Blink182 rip-off punk rock. Four 14 year olds making their instruments want to be euthanized in a basement. Best band ever.

* '''Gaylord''' - Progressive Funk/ Metal band from late 1996 until 2010. Based in Rochester, N.Y., the trio was founded by Guitarist/ singer/songwriter Core Atoms (Zruda/Arcadia) and Bassist/singer/songwriter Jeff Steverson in 1995 as a duo. In 1996 Gaylord released their first recording “Sparkling Cool” with drummer Brann Dailor (Mastodon/ Today Is the Day/Lethargy) on drums. After Dailor, Gaylord went on to play with two other drummers before the addition of drummer/singer Drew Verstraete (Zruda/Big Hair/ Low Ton/ Mungbeandemon) in early 2000. With the addition of Verstraete, Gaylord went on to produce a number of recordings including "Drop a Bomb on a Town of Fried Bologna" (2001), "Tsunami" (2004), and "Resplendent Locution" (2007). Their sound was a tribute to "great music" everywhere. Songs were sometimes 10-minute epics, combining various styles and genres. It was not uncommon to encounter a cohesive mix of transcendent melodic melodies, great metal hooks, funk and disco-esk breakdowns, and lyrics ranging from serious social and political charges to sarcastic and playful humor--all in the same song. Some bands try to do "everything" for the sake of novelty, and their fans suffer for it. For Gaylord, their decision to mix funk, jazz, metal and other styles (ie. polka,ska, techno) was out of a sense of artistic necessity. The end product of Gaylord's sound was an honest amalgamation, of their eclectic tastes. Their distinct sound was aided by Atoms’ unique style, (playing a right-handed guitar, left handed—essentially backwards and upside-down) and Steverson's complex style of bass playing, which combined slapping, strumming, plucking, and tapping. In 2008 Gaylord preformed for the WXXI television series “On stage.” A portion of the one-hour taped performance can be found here http://wxxi.org/onstage/2008/gaylord.html.

* '''["Roses Are Red"]''' - alternative rock band active from 2002-2007

* '''Travelator''' - Ambient, Garage, Neo-Punk, Neo-Grunge, Proto-Subvert, Noise Rock band formed in Rochester, NY in 2004 by as a studio project by Lead Singer and Guitarist Merk E. Waters (Eric). In 2006, he was joined by co-workers Ripped Van Winkle (Cory C) who would play bass, and Jun-Ki (Joe F) who helped make this project into a band. Travelator would go on to play various shows with bands such as Science VS Witchcraft, Cavalcade, Gongulator, The Dead Catholics, ["Xanthium"], HorseFace, and various others. The band released it's debut, and only, album in 2008 titled "Superior Inferior". Travelator would split up a year later in April 2009. They are considered to be a Proto-Subvert band due to their heavy influence on the bands in the current local scene who call their genre "Subvert".

==10's==
* ["Please Add"]

==Unknown==

* How about these bands... '''The Trackers, The Root of all Evil, Portable People, The Hangmen, Lincoln Zepher, The Oxford Watch Band, Gunthers Bus, The Gallant Men'''??? Need data on these bands of the 60's.

* '''Big Hair''' -What happened to Big Hair? So stoopit!

* '''Hi-Techs''' - [http://www.therefrigerator.net/music/personaleffectshitechs1.html Hi-Techs] released two 45s on Dick Storm's "Archive Records" label. After about a year, they went on to form [http://www.therefrigerator.net/music/personaleffects.html Personal Effects].

* '''Uncle Sam''' - If you saw them live they need no retelling. If you didn't, there is no adequate explanation. [http://www.evenspot.com/OtherArtist/OtherHTML.folder/CellarDoor/UncleSam.html]

*'''Voices''' - I wish I knew more about this band, they had an album Titled "New Bamboo" , which contained two songs that I really liked: "Drive-In Show" and "Return to Human." I can't find anything on the web about them (there appear to be lots of bands with that name, including a somewhat popular religious band - GAG!), and for all I know they were from Buffalo...but I'm pretty sure they're from Rochester. I had this Album until a year ago when I pitched all my vinyl.

* Hey bro,
Drive in Show was from the VOICES album " New Bamboo".
Remember these guys - Rob LeVaque, Jon Engard and a bunch of others. I really wish I could find this on Cd. patrickreilly@kodak.com

* On the Voices "New Bamboo" album. I scored a mint copy of it off eBay a few months back. With lyrics sheet still. They were from Rochester, had an East Ave. address and thanked the House Of Guitars. Anyway, I'm sending it out to be professionally transferred to CD. I would love to be able to post the AAC / MP3 files as there will never be another way to get them I expect. How many copies of that album could there be left? I've been through two... - b4form@ataxxia.com

* '''805''' I do not believe this is a Rochester Band. But They use to perform in Rochester quite a bit . I believe I saw them and No Camouflage together. <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nYcHN6bTx-I" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350">

* '''805''' - Was a band out of Syracuse, NY which formed in the late 70s. The group was fronted by Dave Porter (Lead Vocals | Guitar) and included Frank Briggs (Drums), Ed Vivenzio (Keys) and Greg "Creamo" Liss (Bass). They played a bunch of covers by Genesis, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, Steely Dan, UK, and The Beatles along with much original material. They were signed to RCA Records in 1980. In 1982, the song "Stand In Line", produced by Dennis MacKay was released on RCA Records. Word has it that the band fell out of favor with RCA due to creative differences.

* '''No Camouflage''' - Does anyone remember this band? - This band was founded by bassist Lee Heftel in the early 80s along with a keyboardist who's name escapes me. The two brought in drummer Joe Viscardi and guitarist Bob Griesnsenbeck. The meaning behind the name "No Camouflage" was to signify their attention to detail of the cover music they played - they claimed they didn't "camouflage" the music. They played in the Rochester area as a four-piece group until they brought on lead vocalist Jeff Brocowski (AKA Jeff Martin). Due to internal differences, the band later replaced Heftel and the keyboardist with another bassist (name?) and keyboardist Tim Hinkey. Not long after, Jeff left the band and was replaced by Matt Farris and Joe left the band and was replaced by drummer Dave Taddeo. The band played progressive rock covers from Genesis, Gabriel, UK, etc. They drew significant crowds. (NOTE: Dave Taddeo went on to play with Pink Floyd tribute act Dark Side of the Moon while maintaining his commitment to No Camouflage.)

* '''Reporter''' - Does anyone remember this band? - Reporter was a very popular local band in the 80s. Their "catch" was a 60s rock set that drew hundreds of fans wherever they played - mostly women (iiiwhich drew the guys). They appeared on Ed McMahon's Star Search in 1987 with lead singer Rich (last name?) stating "We're the big fish in the little pond". They played up to 7 days a week to sold out venues.

* '''Old Salt''' used to play at the old Red Creek, anyone remember them??

* Well my old band '''The Ravers''' did our tour of duty of the Rochester Scene from 1986-90 but I think you missed a bunch of classic bands on this list:
* '''David Watts & The Great Train Robbery''': One of the best local acts in the 1980's in my estimation with their ecclectic mix of "Ska meets Elvis Costello". We opened for them once at "Idol's". They had a wicked cool Sax player named "Iceman"
* '''Uncle Sam'''. Hilarious over-the-top metal band that pretty much trashed every venue in Rochester. I wound up on their tour bus after a gig they did down here in NYC (1991?) at the old "Continental Divide" and hung out with the bass player until all hours. That was the last I ever heard or saw of them.
* '''the Essentials''' Now these guys could rock!
* '''The Fugitives''': Geoff's band. Always enjoyed their neo-sixties flavor.
* '''The Insiders''': One of the best cover bands ever, in addition to the classic Beatles/Stones/Kinks they pulled a lot of more obscure stuff out of the hat.

* '''Jasper''' anyone ?

==Comment==
[[Anchor(comments)]]

''See the ["/Talk" Talk Page] for discussions about the contents and usage of this page.''

[[Comments(Add information about groups:)]]
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''2010-05-02 23:23:33'' [[nbsp]] Bands of the 60's not mentioned: The Noblemen, winners of the first WBBF rock band contest at the War Memorial, four guys from John Marshall High School, Bob Johnson, John Conti, Pete Tantillo and Merl Ringwood. Also, the Showstoppers and the Brass Buttons who used to play at the 414 Club at the corner of Dewey and Ridge Rd. West, the bands had Don Potter, Bat McGrath, Bobbi Gugilimi, etc, before Potter and McGrath hooked up with Chuck Mangione. --["Users/hoover"]
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''2010-06-15 19:47:24'' [[nbsp]] How soon they forget. ( forty five years ) Wilmer and the Dukes were the best band Rochester ever had. Wilmer was as good as James Brown any day of the week. A sacrilege to omit the Dukes.
Then there was the Groop Ltd. that had a regional hit in the summer of 65 with "Tomorrow" and "As Time Goes By" Number one for three weeks in upstate. WBBF was the go to station. The Groop also played on Joe Deans Sox Hop twice ( Television ) Would give someone elses right arm to see that footage now.
The Quirks were great,as were the Invictas and the Heard. --["Users/jakegerber"]
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''2010-07-11 23:21:13'' [[nbsp]] Let me see if I can add some early 90's bands to the mix... I have to start with my favorite of the era: Koo Koo Boy - think Blondie meets Bela Lugosi, absolutely brilliant stuff. New Year's show ringing in 1994 with KooKooBoy and Dog's Life (Skorgie's?) was among my favorites ever. Along the same lines were the Shop Class Squares, which I think shared a lot of the same players with Dog's Life. It is hard to escape the AltRoc scene in the 90's without having experienced the Peachy Nietzsches - a rolling cast of players that seemingly numbered in the dozens in some shows. On the eclectic side of eclectic. I seem to remember catching some act called Phillis Driller - picture if you will ten horns on stage all trying to be John Coltraine. Anyone remember Zezozose (sp?) - me neither... How about surf guitar in the ROC with Duke Galaxy and the Pipeliners? Swinging Beef was a fun blue-eyed funk outfit that was solid. Many Rolling Rocks were consumed watching Spank - my best attempt at describing them is if Les Claypool and Mick Mars played a gig with Fishbone, that would be Spank. Somebody mentioned Big Hair - Was it them who had a song called "Jeff of the Future", celebrating the WITR punk rock DJ of the same name? (Jeff, if you read this, thanks for all the lenses back in the day). Chillin' evenings listening to Mic Fambro solo acoustic were awesome (Mic is the Miche in Miche and the Anglos) and the Big Drum series of shows featuring local acoustic acts organized by the Queen Bee were very cool. I am missing countless others - I will put on my thinking pants and report back with more...

Flying over your house,
(The DJ formerly known as) Chris Ludwig
Host, 'The Coffee Club' on 89.7 WITR '93-'94
--["Users/ChrisKohanek"]
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''2010-08-10 23:05:47'' [[nbsp]] In the 70's there was Whale and Another Pretty Face (who were from the New York City area but played at Fantasy Swings, Elliot's Nest and Ziggy's.) Also the Flashcubes from Syracuse who played with New Math a lot. --["Users/LynneB"]
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''2010-08-26 08:51:07'' [[nbsp]] Jasper was in my opinion the best country rock band in Rochester late 70's early 80's. Great keyboard player named Jimmy Nelson, awesome lead guitar player named Jim Adams, drummer was Steve Vullo. The other lead singer guitar player was named Paul (help w/last name)and I can't remember Bass players name. I followed them everywhere....Brew Haus, Cottage Hotel, Tuckers, Country Whse.,Schoolhouse, Tid Bits. I wish there was good counrty rock band around. Jasper played everything from Little Feat to Poco to Les Dudek.....really miss that band.

How about these other great bands from Rochester...Autumn Skies, Buffalo Road Show, St.James Band, Slipton Fell, Todd Hobin (actually from Syracuse I think),Stony Creek. There was also a bandthat used to play at the old Art Stock's Playpen named Fate. They did alot of new wave stuff. I can't leave this comment without mentioning Eternity. Thanks Jimmy, John A., John Jones, and Phil the keyboard player for some great music and fun times.... --["Users/MikeMaher"]
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''2010-09-07 17:42:13'' [[nbsp]] There was a popular cover band from the early 70s, initially called "Freedom Tree" but subsequently changed to another name that I do not recall.

They were regulars at the former motel bar on the southwest corner of Elmwood and Mt. Hope Avenues (now part of UofR). They often played at a large club on the east side of West Henrietta (Peppermint Lounge?) and also the Ramada Inn---the "Ram-it-in" as their saxaphonist liked to call it..

They had an incredibly talented Hammond organist who simultaneously played the basslines with his feet, chords and solos with his hands and sang as well. They had a female singer and a saxaphonist/singer who loved to crack crass jokes. The drummer had a tenor voice and handled all the high falsetto parts when they did their Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons medleys. I'm sure they had a guitarist but I don't remember him clearly. In later years they added a bass player.

Help me out----who were the musicians in this excellent and under-appreciated band?

Jack Prewitt
Rochester, NY --["Users/JackPrewitt"]
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''2010-09-23 15:35:50'' [[nbsp]] The Band "ETERNITY" is mentioned in lost bands of Rochester somewhere in here, But there is a huge mistake..they mention everyone in the band ACCEPT THE GUY WHO GAVE THEM THEIR SOUND...LEAD GUITARIST "TOM PROCOPIO" PLEASE ADD HIS NAME. They were one of THE most popular bands in the late 70's and into the 80's! It's a shame they are on the list and only got a mention. --["Users/Joeytuchrello"]
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''2010-09-23 15:59:01'' [[nbsp]] ACCEPT != except --["Users/DamianKumor"]
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''2010-11-13 08:11:10'' [[nbsp]] there were some good high school bands also//the cult, the abstractions and the coachmen// i played with the cult and filled in with the coachmen from time to time/// we were all friends and went to school together. bow whiting --["Users/bowwhiting"]
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''2010-11-13 08:43:56'' [[nbsp]] What about The Muffkins from the 90's? What happened to them? --["Users/BatGuano"]
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''2010-11-28 20:12:51'' [[nbsp]] What about The Colorblind James Experience? Was Black Sheep too famous to be a "lost band"? Their lead singer probably became the most suscessful rock musician to ever come form the Rochester area. --["Users/dbrandriss"]
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''2010-12-13 21:13:55'' [[nbsp]] remember: Street Player, Center stage, Impact, The Connectors, Sahara --["Users/musicluvr"]
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''2010-12-13 21:42:30'' [[nbsp]] Jasper was actually spelled Jaspur; the guitar player was Paul Carpenter and the bass player was Dennis Schauber. They really got around town and even around the state. I think I still have a tape of theirs. Paul Regan was the singer for Claude Raines, at least for a while-- there may have been others. Thanks for the memories of Dark Heart Alarm-- hadn't even thought of them in years! --["Users/LuizAddams"]
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''2011-01-11 17:56:46'' [[nbsp]] "musicluvr" asked about Streetplayer...I was in one of the lineups they had which, at the time, was Ricky Orico on keys and vocals, Jody Martino on lead vocals, Davey Gruttadauria on guitar and vocals, Bobby Collucci on guitar and vocals, Chris Brake on drums and Mark White on bass. Occasionally Billy Schifano sang with us. We played Scoops, The Spur of the Moment, west side bars like those. Lot's of Top 40 and dance stuff. Lots of fun! --["Users/whthouse"]
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''2011-01-14 19:43:48'' [[nbsp]] I remember Old Salt at Red Creek! What ever happened to them? A time of "PEACE." --["Users/paisley"]
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''2011-02-04 10:02:07'' [[nbsp]] In the mid to late 90's there was a great groove scene with bands like Abby's Cafe, The Druids, Into the Now, and Kernal Wah. One of these bands was always playing at Milestones or Waterstreet. I played Bass in Abby's and the band was often referred to as "That band with the cool artwork" which was done by lead guitarist Steph Ford. These bands were obviously influenced by The Dead and Phish but all had their own feel and were very different. I know there are more to add to this list and maybe someone can help out with that! --["Users/EricManzler"]
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''2011-02-27 13:04:08'' [[nbsp]] My first recollection of the 60's bands was about high school bands. I remember the T dances, early 60's, at the Knights of Columbus building downtown where Bobby and the Bombers (from Eastridge) was playing. They had the first record I ever bought from a local band. Then, as I snuck in the Aquinas' Sock Hops I learned about The Root of All Evils. Both bands of high school fame that disintegrated quickly. And then, a driver's license opened up the world. Yes, the Quirks at Clover lanes (and they did play Herman's Hermits, too), and Wilmer and the Dukes at Braimar's and another place near Hamlin Beach, and the Invictas playing at Tiny's Bengal Inn in Summerville. And let's not forget the Show Stoppers, who featured Don Potter and Bat McGrath. Here the line blurs between high school and college years, since they were a continuous party in Rochester. But the best was the Varsity Inn, where I could be found every weekend at the table under the toilet seat hanging on the wall. Yes, The Angry Young Men and The Invictas. The House then took over, with singer Phil Sanguedolce (who I believe can still be found singing in bands around the area). The world was changing. I saw there a band that opened up with the a song from the then unknown group Vanilla Fudge. They were called the Kustard Kluster, the name a lame tribute to the psychedelic band, and the two lead singers also did some mean versions of the Bee Gees. The keyboard man was Vinnie Strenk. They were good, but didn't last long. The Invictas went touring and then the Thursday night band stepped up to sharing weekend spots with the House (I don't remember them being called Howz), and this band was the Rustix. The band's bass player at that time was Bob Sohener, Vinnie Strenk showed up again on the keyboards (the Kluster krapped), and the drummer was an ex Invictas guy with a mean foot, David Colon. They eventually moved to the Club, off of East Avenue, recording two albums for Motown's Rare Earth label, and history legend for Rochester. The House did the whole Sgt. Pepper album, dressed in Sgt. Pepper uniforms when the album came out. For those learning to appreciate jazz, Gap Mangione with Tony Levin on bass were playing at The Other Side of the Tracks in Pittsford. (Tony Levin is now a rock legend having played with King Krimson, being Peter Gabriel's bass player, and many others including Alice Cooper and John Lennon.) By this time the Rochester music scene was exploding, and by the late 60's/early 70's we had the Brass Buttons, The Oxford Watch band, the Heard (Hurd?), and The House reformed itself as NEMIS (North East Music Improvement Society), and bass player Ronnie Collins joined the Rustix, bringing them to peak performance. I loved the Rustix, and they were better than most bands. But, they were limiting themselves to being back up to the lead singers, squelching the guitar sound and the tight excitement that the band provided. Eventually Potter and McGrath came back from New York City to open Highly Morris Alley, a coffee house on West Ridge Road that had Chuck Mangione showing up on Saturday nights after his gigs at the Shakespeare in the Xerox tower. And, damn, I think after that I joined society. Put on a tie, got a job, got married,..... can't remember anything else. --["Users/deltastrat"]
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''2011-03-28 22:19:12'' [[nbsp]] The Jokers Wild, 1965-1970 Joe Ippolito lead singer, bass: Armand Miale vocals, guitars: Lenny Crellin, vocals, drums: Lou ?, guitar: Bruce Dalvin, guitar. Great party band. Would play one set wearing sport jackets that every piece was a different color. Joe went on to form the Bachelor Seven ( 7 single guys who liked partying, They promoted their parties, indoor and outdoors, their largest party was 3,400 people at a party house. He now resides in Laguna Beach, CA. Armand went on to radio and TV sales, Lenny became a art teacher. --["Users/broadwayjoe"]
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''2011-04-16 03:06:25'' [[nbsp]] Anguish metal/hardcore band 1999-2000 s. had a big fan base. Played all over the rochester area. Won 1999 battle of the band award at waterstreet music hall. Recorded a 5 song EP in 8/1999 and 3 song demo in late 2000. Went on to be gutter slut- Death metal/hardcore/technical metal 2000s. Then one of the singers joined Psyopus-extreme/technical/metal mid 2000s became a tourin act. shared the stage w and a few random local heavyweits/ Ply-metal hardcore late 1990 s-2000 s, , Loopus Rap core band. 1995-2003 , hate machine- metal hardcore 90s-2000s, Division 9 -hardcore 90s-2000s, Controlled substance-hardcore, Blind identity-Metal hardcore 90s-2000s,Sexmaze-experimental metal 90s-2000s, The Niche-jam band 2000s, 40oz failure Rap/metalcore 90;s-2000s, The Druids jam band 90s-present, Tweak-hardcore 90s-2000s, an so many more amazin bands still to be remembered.... --["Users/Ericprince"]
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''2011-04-17 14:47:24'' [[nbsp]] Interesting.... I was the guitarist in the band "Vegas" from 1979 to 1984 and I don't see it mentioned here. The band from 79 -82 was the top band in Rochester. The first Vegas featured Lou Ricigliano- guitar, Lex Byers -Vocalist, Rich Fiordeliso -Keyboards and B3 - Nick Russo - Drums and Chris Defazio on Bass. Vegas was reformed in 1983 and consisted of a 3 pc horn section. That group T consisted of Lex Byers on vocals, Lou Ricigliano on Guitar, Rich Fiordeliso on Keys, John Pascarella on Drums, Gary Terwilliger on Bass, Rick Austin on Sax, Doc Davis on Trombone, and Jimmy Squirrell on Trumpet. Information can be found at www.sweet-lou.com. --["Users/LouRicigliano"]
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''2011-04-17 19:28:23'' [[nbsp]] How about these bands... The Trackers, The Root of all Evil, Portable People, The Hangmen, Lincoln Zepher, The Oxford Watch Band, Gunthers Bus, The Gallant Men??? Need data on these bands of the 60's. --["Users/LouRicigliano"]
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''2011-04-17 21:06:01'' [[nbsp]] How about these bands... The Trackers, The Root of all Evil, Portable People, The Hangmen, Lincoln Zepher, The Oxford Watch Band, Gunthers Bus, The Gallant Men??? Need data on these bands of the 60's. --["Users/LouRicigliano"]
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''2011-05-03 15:59:46'' [[nbsp]] Remember the group "Kracker" One of the Best Bands Rochester had the good fortune of hearing. They refused to do covers and did mainly originals and album cuts.Gino Vanelli,Benny Mardones, Marty Ballin and Robbie Dupree to name a few. Unbelievably tight with Great vocals and harmonies.Members included: Billy Schifano(Lead vocal and percussion)Don Ferrara(Lead Guitar)Earnie Pavone(Keyboards)Rich Robinson(Bass & Moog Pedals) and John Pasquarella(Drums) --["Users/DonFerrara"]
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''2011-05-27 10:07:13'' [[nbsp]] A few of the other noteable late 70s/early 80s Rochester bands not yet mentioned were Bahama Mama (early reggae with horns...evolved from another great local band The Fabulous Putz Brothers)...and Toys http://www.discogs.com/Toys-Dashboard-Music/release/1745249, sort of a in a Heart genre. Both of those were on the first WCMF Homegrown LP and had their own albums out. Also, along with New Math and Cappy & Frenchmenn were The Klik and The Chesterfield Kings. I think a couple of those bands were on a rare collection LP of Rochester New Wave/Punk called "From the City That Gave You Absolutely Nothing." Also, no mention of Black Sheep from the mid-70s with Lou Gramm pre-Foreigner. You could also count Talas, although technically from Buffalo...later drummer Mark Miller was from Rochester area.

Also, while technically not a "group"....solo artists Walt Atkinson probably gigged more than almost anyone in the 70s-80s in the Rochester area and was called "Mr. One-Man Band" because of his early use of live looping and layering of his guitar/harmonica/vocals. He still plays somewhere down in the Carolinas where he now lives.

+1 to Old Salt (I think OS was also on the first WCMF Homegrown LP,) Wilmer & the Dukes, Bat McGrath/Don Potter

I'm sure I'm missing many others I'll recall when I look thru my music collection. --["Users/mc2"]
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''2011-08-09 14:15:23'' [[nbsp]] Any info on the 70's group "Orange"? I have a copy of a studio disc that has a number of their originals. Included - "My teriffic Telephone", Sabotage, etc. --["Users/JZ"]
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''2011-08-27 08:32:54'' [[nbsp]] Prodigy - 1976 to 1978 --["Users/PaulVolta"]
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''2011-11-27 00:43:47'' [[nbsp]] Well, my boredom is no more as I ponder on days passed with this page! Music had a huge impact on me growing up. For me it wasn't just back ground noise. Through the beginning with the angst, confusion, suffering and my broken bond with society, my music pushed me and in return I turned it up! Fuck Yea!

Around the age of 12, there was this 'special band' playing locally and every time I heard this band came a constant flow of adjectives such as "Blaspheme" and "Sacrilegious!" Even the Catholic Church were involved and as their servants protested, the local media came running with a story that would begin my spiritual pelvic thrust deep into society for many years after! The training years to my Year 0 and no doubt the beginning of personal disobedience of anything organized!

Anyway, Immaculate Mary, a quartette who only wore white clothing on stage-what little they did wear, were creating more then music, they were creating a way, for me anyway. A way to say fuck you without having to say it at all. I guess I was just at that perfect age ya know? -Between child & man in self;but I understood it and it meant a lot to me.

While the protesting may have died down by the time I was able to attend shows at 16-17 years old, their popularity did not. But what I was hoping to read on here was the reason of their demise. I suspect like many other great bands-the right people weren't around in all the wrong places they played and well, they had to grow up and work regular jobs? Their record, "Through the eye's of youth" didn't go far, and you had to be at their shows to feel that energy. Its on their records but live is where it really was at. I mean, they could be playing "Mary had a little lamb" and it would be mind blowing.. -(Which reminds me, before every set, they had this recording of everything and anything "Mary" related, so when the lights when out, you'd hear Run Dmc's, "Mary, Mary..why you bugging" Credences "Proud Mary..." and other "Mary" related-random recordings from other artists and tv shows..and then they'd burst onto stage like Rock Aliens from Loud Planet Mother Fucker!)

So in conclusion, my teen years had a great fucking sound track to it man! I sure do miss those days and proud that Immaculate Mary is part of that musical collage. Also, I must admit that I rather enjoyed writing this piece. I was upset not finding "The World's Loudest Band" on this site but sort of glad for my own selfish reasons of reminiscing back in the day. But maybe now some of those in charge can do some research and go ahead and add a little something special for this band up on here. Surely I can't be the only who followed them back in the day..

M.C.

--["Users/MOCNY74"]
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''2011-11-27 00:44:20'' [[nbsp]] Well, my boredom is no more as I ponder on days passed with this page! Music had a huge impact on me growing up. For me it wasn't just back ground noise. Through the beginning with the angst, confusion, suffering and my broken bond with society, my music pushed me and in return I turned it up! Fuck Yea!

M.C.

--["Users/MOCNY74"]
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''2011-12-03 16:38:58'' [[nbsp]] My friends and I used to walk over to Leighton Street to watch those 'CMF Monday Night Concerts. Early to mid 70's. The station personnel were nice enough to let us in, but always warned us to "be cool." Anybody know if those shows are around in some format? I would love to hear them again. --["Users/SteveMack"]
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''2012-01-09 19:23:02'' [[nbsp]] Autumn Skies, who later became M-80. Popular in the early 80's. Played alot at Tucker's, California Brew House, Tiffany's. Anyone know what became of them? --["Users/JThomas"]

JT, after performing as M-80, the group disbanded and the musicians went on to other projects. Brian Venton and Jimmy End went on to join Nik and the Nice Guys. Eventually Brian formed his own party band - The Boss Street Band, which performed around the area during the mid to late '90s. At this point in life, most of the guys have day jobs and they are raising families.
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''2012-01-12 21:30:27'' [[nbsp]] Have not seen mention of The Color Blind James Experience. Also, John Mooney used to play at the Cottage, and the Sun Mountain Fiddler still plays all over the place (used to see him at the Cottage too). Anyone remember a band I think called the Stovall Brown Band, drummer had a prosthetic forearm? --["Users/dbrandriss"]
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''2012-01-25 12:56:36'' [[nbsp]] Transmission 56, 90's Released a 45 and a CD under Carbon Records. 45 is Still Available. Band Members Sean Havens, Jamie Fritzsching and Mark Williams. Jamie and Mark on on the West Coast, Sean is still local and plays in Cavalcade. --["Users/SeanHavens"]
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''2012-02-19 08:34:04'' [[nbsp]] Cappy and the Frenchmen Myspace site: http://www.myspace.com/cappyandthefrenchmen

Cappy and the Frenchmen FACEBOOK Fan site:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cappy-and-the-Frenchmen/211684995596740#!/pages/Cappy-and-the-Frenchmen/211684995596740?sk=wall --["Users/BillThomas"]
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''2012-03-03 13:15:05'' [[nbsp]] Hi all. This is Terry Lasaponara, the drummer from the band "Freedom Tree". I read that some people want some info regarding the band, so please email me anytime at [[MailTo(terrylasaponara AT gmail DOT com)]]. Thank you. --["Users/terryfreedom"]
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''2012-03-12 10:59:37'' [[nbsp]] I was looking through some vintage issues of Freetime Magazine this weekend when I came across an ad for the bluesband " Jimmy Boston and the Flamethrowers" I remember going out to hear the band during the 1980's. They played a mix of classic blues and swing tunes. They were incredible.Tunes like Caledonia,Help me baby,and Peter Gunn to name a few. The horn section referred themselves to the Hollywood Horns.The band performed regulary at Red Creek and Casablanca as well as Respected Blues clubs in the inner city. The clubs were always at standing room only capacity and the dance floor was always cookin. Band Members consisted of: Jimmy Boston on lead vocals,Donnie Ferrara on lead guitar,Neal O'keefe on bass, Charlie Rau on drums,Russ Marchese on trumpet and Joe Arnone on sax.The bands plan was to perform once or twice a month but due to popularity ended up doing four to five one niters a week for almost two years.Sound and lights was provided by Bill Hooper who always did a Great job.I still have a live recording that they did on WGMC radio. I often wish that a group of this caliber would show up in todays music scene. If you were lucky enough to catch them then you know what i am taking about. This was an incredible group. --["Users/Donna "B""]
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''2012-03-12 21:09:50'' [[nbsp]] Just want to clear up some inaccuracies and provide more detail for RUKKUS who is listed as a 90s band. My name is Nick Valente, and I am an original founder, guitar player, song writer of the band. I formed RUKKUS with Tommy and Chris Garbin in late 1985 and we disbanded in early 1990 when I left for another project. Therefore, I would consider RUKKUS a late 80s original hard rock/metal band. I left and formed Blastic in 1990 who created a ten song original metal CD called Deep from the Bud with Ed Lynd (Grinders), Todd Dentico (Grinders), and John Giordano. Then in 1993, I formed Justin Tyme with Steve Hartwig, Steve Wright, and John Payton (Buddhahood). Then, in 1995, I formed Rat Salad, all Black Sabbath cover band, with Willy Lopez (Avalon), Joe Lana (Uncle Plum), and Joe Damonda. Today, I play in a 3-piece original heavy metal band called HALO. The band consists of Nick Valente (guitar/vocals), Scott Colicchio (bass/keys), and Vince Rupert (drums). I currently work as VP Business Development and also run my own recording studio called the Sound Chamber. Some other great bands from this time period were Talas, Dirty Looks, Avalon, Black Dragon, Nasty Trast (who's cd cover is my face), Moriah, Immaculate Mary, Warhead, Hate, Supernaturals, Millenium, Bad Action, Aunty Em, Rock Candy, Zillion, Harpo, Run21, Fallen Angel, The Raunchettes, Cat Fight, Shaved Ham, Uncle Sam, Camouflage, and so many more. Thanks. Nick --["Users/NickValente"]
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''2012-06-23 23:50:54'' [[nbsp]] I use to see Pearl at a club called Headliners North in Nashua, NH; place was always packed when they played, and the band was always rock'n; later, I booked bands at U.of New Hampshire; tried to book Pearl but they had already broken up; I would have paid $3000 to $5000 to have them play; I later worked on the road with major touring acts; there were very few vocalists that could kick ass like she did; rocwiki great way to reminisce. Thanks for stirring up some memories. --["Users/rickyp"]
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''2012-06-29 08:12:25'' [[nbsp]] Draffin is a band I was into, found it online from a friend ,before I moved to Rochester. From the facebook page: "Formed in 2003, Draffin is a hard rock band hailing from Rochester, NY. The group has built up their diverse sound from scratch, refusing to conform to the latest trends and fads. After much hard work in both the studio and out on stage, Draffin has established themselves as a fresh and original band among the Rochester music scene. Incorporating many different forms and styles into their music, the band is not confined to any one musical genre or sound. Instead, Draffin is an eclectic form of rock, metal, punk, and alternative unlike any other, creating something new and exciting for listeners of all sorts. The band broke up around 2009" Some of the songs were My Angel, Consciosly Connected, Nickels and Dimes, Sunder, to name a few. --["Users/bonnev659"]
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''2012-08-07 16:58:18'' [[nbsp]] VOICES - The band is from Rochester, NY and began in the early 80s. The original lineup included Rob Lavaque (Keys | Lead Vocals), Gary Skinner (Guitars | Lead Vocals), Lanny Aucter (Drums) and John Fisher (Bass | Moog Pedals). The band was known for its progressive rock music which included covers from Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull, Peter Gabriel, and the like.

After a successful debut in the Rochester area, Gary Skinner left the band and was replaced by Jon Michael Engard (Guitars | Lead Vocals). By the mid 80s, Voices implemented a more pop-rock genre but continued their Genesis set while recording their album "New Bamboo" with hits such as "Drive In Show" and "Return To Human". Drive In Show got a lot of airplay in the area, which helped the band to grow into one of the most popular bands in the area.

After years of playing to packed houses, the band disbanded to pursue other interests. Eventually the band re-formed with new drummer David Taddeo and went in a new direction. As Genesis cover bands became more and more popular (805, No Camouflage, Artisan), Voices began playing the music of Pink Floyd and renamed itself to "Dark Side of the Moon" playing the album in its entirety - verbatim.

Dark Side of the Moon played two full sets of Floyd music and was one of the first local bands to use intelligent lighting and a large-screen video display timed to the music. Due to their popularity, they outgrew most local clubs and began to play exclusively at the Water Street Music Hall - the only venue that could support the crowd. Eventually the band limited its performances to once a year during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Due to personal health reasons, the band stopped play in early 2000s and is still on hiatus as of the time of this entry. Its unlikely they will perform again
--["Users/mjroz"]
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''2012-09-03 21:10:31'' [[nbsp]] I just recalled the band was named 11 pond that performed cinnamon and tear. --["Users/johngreb"]
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''2012-12-11 09:20:23'' [[nbsp]] My wife and I were big fans of BUXX throughout the 80's. I didn't see any mention of them here. I still listen to them today. I have their album 'Knickers Down' on my ipod. There is a great write up here: http://www.glorydazemusic.com/articles.php?article_id=2963 --["Users/PetePalmeri"]
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''2012-12-11 15:04:42'' [[nbsp]] Wanted add the Howard Avenue Band, who were based in Greece, they gigged around WNY in the 70s, seen them many times. They played a few double headers with Black Sheep. I would love to hear from anyone they may know anything about the guys these days. Jimy Adams played 6 string guitar, his brother Mike played base, Pat played guitar also, they had a great keyboard player, named Joe C., who I believe went into music recording, engineering & production. Jim played in Jaspur ... they had a few drummers, I remember Danny was one ... They had some great originals, played the brothers and the great tunes of the day. They rocked and I had lots of fun checking them out all over --["Users/Buffalobob"]
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''2013-01-28 14:32:02'' [[nbsp]] Does anyone have any information or recorded footage of the 70's Rochester band The Other Side? The lead singer was my father, John "Bubby" Blackwell, and I remember a female member named Marge and a member named Bill Buckley, I think. They did covers of popular songs. Any info would be great! --["Users/ErikaBLackwellWilson"]
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''2013-02-26 02:02:35'' [[nbsp]] There is a blurb at a site called All Music about a band that I think should be included here - Lucifer. Here is the first line: "Rochester, NY, heavy rock quintet Lucifer was formed in 1969 by vocalist Joe Mattioli, guitarist Pete Skelton, and pianist Joe Gallo, who previously teamed in Infirmary;". They had an album out that gained cult status and vintage vinyl copies sold for hundreds over in Japan for a while until someone in Italy rereleased it as a CD without any permission from any of the band members. No revenue has gone to any of them (original band members) from the CD reissue either, as far as I know. Not that I was around to remember this group, I've just met one of them at some family gatherings - our wives are 2nd cousins or something like that. --["Users/NewlPost"]
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''2013-03-13 08:11:16'' [[nbsp]] Question above : "Hammer" Late 1960's early 1970's. What happened to them??? Answer: This 5 man group, under the management of Jerry Wolf Enterprises, had as original lead singer Mike Buonaccorso later replaced by Dave White. The drummer was Mike Bonafede, but names of the other 3, bass, lead, and keyboards, cannot be recalled. (Keyboard players first name was Mike.) --["Users/MichaelB"]
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''2013-04-04 12:21:14'' [[nbsp]] Omniblank? --["Users/TheNoble1"]
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''2013-05-01 21:00:00'' [[nbsp]] just want to say, scorcher,sly roxx, imac.mary, uncle sam.avalon,rukkus,baby grande,..backstreets,penny arcade,house of guitars, etc.etc.i'll never forget you all!!-patti lost --["Users/shreddermello@yahoo.com"]
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''2013-06-22 04:35:57'' [[nbsp]] My name's Rob Cullivan and I was in The Urban Squirrels from late 1987 to summer 1993, singing and playing harmonica. Myself, Kevin Kane and Johan Engstrom on guitars, Jim Locigno on saxophones, Andi Tratch on keyboards, Mike Fleckenstein on bass and Eric DeRitis on drums, played such clubs as Rumors, Jazzberry's, Richmonds, etc. A few years in, we switched our drummer to Pete Mugnolo and made Tony Cavagnaro our guitarist and added Brian Shuptar on trumpet. We released one single in 1988 and a full-length album in 1992. We were a horn-driven, harmonica-flavored alt-rock band that played rock, blues, a bit of jazz, reggae and country and drew comparisons to everyone from Madness and the Violent Femmes to an overheated washing machine and a drunken sailor on leave. I've lost track of all the bands we played with, but we did shows with Colorblind James, The Fugitives, the Chinchillas, the Rumbles, the Ferrets, Leon Russell, the Wailers, Johnny Winter, Chucklehead, etc. and so on. After we broke up, members of the Squirrels helped form The Buddhahood, the Mysterious Blues Band, the Druthers, the Ferndocks, the Moonmen, MK Ultra and other bands, and played in Dream Engine, the Infants and several other bands. We also played with Stage Poetry Company and did shows with Blackwater Ensemble, a comedy troupe. That's all the basic stuff, if you wanna learn more, buy me a beer. Rochester was a great place to play, and it was an awesome time to be in a band, so many other good bands were out there at the time, from Koo Koo Boy to the Profiles to the Essentials to Lotus STP. Ah, memories! --["Users/RobCullivan"]
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''2013-07-29 19:03:07'' [[nbsp]] Oh the nostalgic memories of the Bands and the Venues!!
I'll add in case anyone left out:

The Cave-on W.Ridge Rd-Lex Byers pre group Vegas band "Masquerade"with Rich Fiordeliso on B3,Marty Dorren on bass,Reinhart Brucker on drums,2 or 3 horn players.I cant remember guitar player.Sets ended in"mmmmm-PIZZA!"

Parlient Lounge(I think in Henrietta)-Jay Capozzi's group "Pride and Joy"Jim Barton on B3 and Al Marino before or after Jim on B3-cant remember who was on drums(Might have been Phil Block) and guitar player

Maxwells Silver Hammer-Jefferson Rd.

Brick and Nail-Lyell Ave-Can still smell in the club the Ragu plant next door cooking up the sauce nights(before it was commercialized and sent out of state)Mostly saw Illusion with Louie Fusilli lead vocals/sax/flute/comedy,Tom Meara-guitar/vocals,Jim Kulp-B3/vocals,Ron Allessi-Drums and Marlane Panarites-lead vocals/harmony.Great group especially their infamous"Scorcha Balla"set.Also saw them at:

Fontainbleu club-I think on St Paul on Durrand side of Stutson st.bridge.

I have some pretty decent live recordings on cassette tape that I recorded on my then new Superscope Stereo cassette recorder! I'm converting these to MP3's before the tapes decompose.These recordings are of Illusion at Ramada Inn,Brick and Nail and Fontainbleu,Pride and Joy at Holiday Inn's Turn of Century Lounge,and Masquerade at THE CAVE-February 1977.All these recordings were around 1975-1978 era.I used to carry 12Au7 tubes and small parts in my car for fixing the Hammond players B3's.A few times it saved a sick organ!

It would be great if someone could start a website where we could post these recordings for all to enjoy and reminice.They bring me back to sitting at the club with friends listening and dancing those carefree years!
Kevin B. kellyspotty at gmail
--["Users/kevinB"]
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''2013-07-31 13:13:18'' [[nbsp]] Anyone remember the great lounge band "Vic Platii and The New Portrait?" I was one of two "chick singers in 1974 through 1977. We had an opening dance routine and we were good we opened for Phylis Dyler , John Biner , and were booked every weekend. The band had horns , keyboards , drums ,bass ,lead guitar ,and mostly me on percussion. Thank you all for making those times great.

--["Users/MegAzarian"]
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''2013-08-06 06:51:51'' [[nbsp]] Greg Hassett played guitar in KooKoo Boy. He is still playing bubblegum-style rock in Rochester.

What about 80's band Resistors? Immaculate Mary? --["Users/afmayer"]
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''2013-09-13 00:45:37'' [[nbsp]] Would love to see a reunion of the 80's band STREET PLAYER! Lots of good memories! --["Users/rjorico"]
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''2013-10-07 02:40:41'' [[nbsp]] The Todd Hobin Band --["Users/ricklazure"]
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''2013-10-07 02:59:06'' [[nbsp]] The Todd Hobin Band- Todd leads with brother Shawn on drums, both from Henrietta. Doug Moncrief on guitar from East Rochester. Mike desnoyer on base, don't know his hometown. Bruce Fowler on guitar hails from NYC. Who can forget Sundays at the Parliament lounge with the Todd Hobin Band, sometimes simulcast by WBBF, AM radio. They played their own music, notable songs were "New York Country Song" and "I Hate You- a love song". They had a number of albums by the late '70s and a CD in 2012
--["Users/ricklazure"]
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''2013-11-07 08:20:03'' [[nbsp]] Fun read here. What about the group Orange? Did Chuck Leone book them? That guitar player was really something? Also, did I miss it or were the Rustix left out? I remember hearing Wilmer with a post-Dukes band called Zebra at Barney Googles over near Palmyra, NY. They were really great. Lots of funky dance music. Also, there was another Rochester--or Rochester area band---that was real funky with horns and stuff in the early to middle seventies. They played every Thursday night in Seneca Falls at TJ's. Name escapes me, but I know they went on to do an album or two. --["Users/JayJay"]
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''2013-11-09 11:32:37'' [[nbsp]] I got it. Mother Night was the funky horn band. Think they had an album too. Great band --["Users/JayJay"]
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''2013-12-13 00:33:47'' [[nbsp]] To:kevinB - If you want to share, start a Dropbox account and upload your music files and then provide a link to them. I'd love to hear those bands. I haven't heard the R&B bands, The Untouchables and The Enerjets (from the 80's) mentioned. I know that The Enerjets put out at least 1 lp in '86.How about The Tempests? They put out a 45 called "Rockin' Rochester". In the 80's, Scorgies was the place to be. New Math and The Presstones were a couple of my favorites. --["Users/MartinCocca"]
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''2014-01-14 12:25:30'' [[nbsp]] There was a late 80s rock band named Double Trouble with two girls (a blone & brunette) as lead singers. They did hard rock, Heart, some 80s metal type music. The girls eventually left for California and the band might have survived for a while as No Trouble.. --["Users/cvjanick"]
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''2014-01-21 08:52:06'' [[nbsp]] I was a huge Claude Raines fan back in the day and was friends with the band. They thrived in the Rochester area in the 80's, even played for record execs at CBGBs in NYC. You can find the band members on Facebook. Most of them are still playing in other bands...Jeff Galino, Will Young, Cedric Herrera, --["Users/Janet"]
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''2014-04-21 13:36:25'' [[nbsp]] The First Act was a "Garage Born" band from the 70's, and featured lead singers Darla Carney and Ray Smith. The group was asked to replace another Rochester great, Fred Costello, who, with his jazz style had been performing at Val's Lounge, on Monroe Ave near 12 corners. When The First Act started at Val's, you could shoot off a cannon and not hit anyone, but after about two weeks, the place became packed six nights a week. Along with Darla and Ray who was the bass player, was Chris Burrell on guitar, Mario Belgiorno on sax, and Jimmy Foster on drums. The music was a blend of various styles from that era and included music from The Fifth Dimension, Dionne Warwick, Crosby-Stills & Nash, The Carpenters, Neil Diamond, with a bit of 50's rock thrown in for nostalgia purposes. Five part vocal harmony was something that separated them from most groups of that era, and that was astounding to listen to. As the group progressed, they were approached by Wayne Newtons managers to be slowly introduced into the Vegas style of entertainment, with a show writer to write a complete stage show presentation, as well as original songs, instead of using material from other performers. However, while playing in Nashville, differences in the makeup of the band, broke the band up. They made on album, that they produced themselves and only had enough copies to be sold at some of their performances, and never signed with a recording company due to the lack of original material. --["Users/RaySmith"]
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''2014-07-24 13:52:09'' [[nbsp]] Anyone remember a band called 'Goddess'? mid 70s...Great rock band, ZZTop, UFO, etc. Played at the Penny Arcade fairly regularly. --["Users/EMSacch"]
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''2014-08-01 19:37:07'' [[nbsp]] Mid 70s additions, great soul funk bands Mother Freedom, could have been from Syracuse, had 3-4 singers including a guy named Oliver, one of the best. Think he later joined another great funk band named Wells Kelly. Again, had multiple frontmen and a great back line including brothers on bass and organ, think I remember the organ player also being great on sax. Late phase of that group featured George Cochinni on guitar, one of the best out of Rochester, who started with the Rustix and later was with Crosstalk. Crosstalk had Frank DeCesare vocals/sax, Joe Bass on bass, one of Rochesters best, Tom McNall guitar, Phil Block drums, Cochinni on guitar, and myself on keys. Played Red Creek, Maxwells, Pandas, Glass Onion, Purple Pig, many other venues. Band had strong vocals and nice double guitar stuff. Did lots of Orleans, Average White Band, Little Feat. Other members included Rick Considine and also Jay, can't recall last name, both good drummers. --["Users/MarkBistis"]
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''2014-08-20 07:55:18'' [[nbsp]] A friend of mine, Terry Lasaponara was in the band Freedom Tree back in the '70's.There's probably more people out there that know more about the band than me.He also went to Marshall.
--["Users/FrankAndolina"]
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''2014-09-04 23:18:04'' [[nbsp]] Does any one remember a group from the 50's and 60's The Jerry Jaye Trio Played at the 414 club,J&l lounge, the Avenue, and Garden Grill Jerry Jaye,Neil Marvel, and Gene Newman ?
--["Users/GeneNewman"]
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''2014-09-11 10:00:10'' [[nbsp]] The NINE --["Users/JamesAllanBurruto"]
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''2014-09-11 10:07:35'' [[nbsp]] The NINE, 1985-1989 power pop band signed to the Indie Label "Dresser." Extensive live performances in New York and beyond. Recorded first record at Music America and Avatar recording studios. Members consisted of Gene Best, lead vox/bass; James Allan Burruto guitar/backing vox; Jimmy Fox, drums/backing vox 1985-1987; Jim McGowen, drums/backing vocals; Chris G (Guerzo) Lead vox/keyboards. Influences were UK, Zepplin, Power Station, level 42, Nik Kershaw, and many others. --["Users/JamesAllanBurruto"]
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''2014-10-22 11:23:59'' [[nbsp]] I worked behind the bar at the Ramada in the 70's for Dave Scuteri. At the time there was a regular rotation of bands on the local circuit of bars on the westside. Freedom Tree was a big draw, Louie Fusilli was the front man as I recall. They were one of the groups doing a 50's set as the alter ego of Commander Perverto and the Pimples. Can no longer remember the female vocalist name any more. All the bartenders loved it when they played because we had a lot of pretty girls and big tippers. I recall that a few times, there was a biker that was around the place a lot, we talked him into riding into the bar on the Harley with Louie on the back in his fifties getup, waving a toilet plunger over his head.
Other stuff: The All Rights, 1960's, carried their gear in an old Caddy Ambulance that was always parked on Chili Avenue . Wilmer and the Dukes on all ages Sundays at Vince's 50 Acres in Rush. The Brass Buttons - I still have two of the psychedelic patterned pins they used to hand out. The Seven, Syracuse based but played here a lot, did some recording, big brassy sound and quite good. Of course the Good Rats, NYC but a perennial ROC favorite. Big Wheelie and the Hubcaps, Philthy McNasty were in town a lot. Later, there was Teezer which begat Talon, they just did a reunion show in LeRoy this summer and I bet they play again, they had a good time doing it. Ice Water Mansion, LaVixen were 80's rock/bar bands.
Clubs:the Cave in Stone Ridge Plaza, Johann's Parliament Lounge at the bowling alley on West Henrietta, Brass Rail,Art Stock turned the old Varsity Inn into The Playpen North. The VI Geneseo was a good time chasing college girls.Fantasy Swings (can't remember its previous name but it was hot then as well), The Orange Monkey, Maxwells. There was a whole string opened by a couple of entrepreneurs (Chuck and Tony comes to mind) during the heyday of Rochester being a big party and pre-disco dance town in the pre-dwi days. It is fun reliving my misspent youth. --["Users/BillDecker"]
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''2014-11-20 21:16:34'' [[nbsp]] Hi, I'm pleased that someone remembered the band "Orange." My guitar teacher at Properzzi's (sp.?) in ER was Clare DeLong, one of the best guitar slingers in town. Orange also had Marsh Styler, who went on in Duke Jupiter. Forty-five years later, I'm still playing in bands in Denver thanks to Clare. --["Users/DougWolkin"]
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''2014-12-27 20:32:32'' [[nbsp]] I saw Old Salt perform many times prior to leaving WNY in 1976. Favorite venue was the Belle Starr in Colden, NY. As a student at SUC Geneseo and Old Salt a Rochester area band, I saw them perform there (possibly The Statesman). I last saw the band while visiting WNY in the early '80's at a dance hall in South Buffalo. Took my "little" brother - good times! I had a cassette recording of the band that a friend of mine had given me. I don't remember if it was a sale tape or bootleg, but it was great! The tape was stolen along with a suburban I owned back in the mid '80's. The suburban was recovered, but the tape must now be circulating underground in and around Houston for someone's listening pleasure. My Old Salt tale - BL --["Users/BL"]
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''2015-02-14 09:33:39'' [[nbsp]] My name is Karl LaPorta, and I am president of the Rochester Music Hall of Fame. Each year we induct, people. bands, venues and certain events, that fit induction criteria, into the RMHF. This year we are inducting one of the biggest 60's, 70's bands in Rochester's music history. I can't say who they are until our press conference on February 25th, 10:00AM at Max of Eastman Place. You can check our website for this years inductees after the press conference and also see who we have inducted our first 3 years by going to www.rochestermusic.org. You can also nominate bands, musicians, venues, etc from Rochester on the nomination page of our website. You can also receive info on the RMHF Facebook page. I happen to have played with a 60's band that did quite well, by the name of the Last Rites. I also played with three 80's and 90's and 2000's bands named, R-Gang, Boy's Lie, and Perfect World. This is a great site. Karl LaPorta, President RMHF. --["Users/KarlLaPorta"]
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''2015-02-26 11:39:30'' [[nbsp]] Big Hair - Sad to report that Tod Worsham (sp?) has passed away. Let me be the first (here anyway) to pay tribute to one of the best musical artists to ever come out of Rochester. He should be honored and remembered for contributing and supporting a 90's original music scene in Rochester that hasn't been seen since. (IMHO) I played in a band in the early 90's and Tod was so supportive of us....we played several gigs with Big Hair that he alone pulled us into. He will be greatly missed....you can still see some of his art flying (bugs...that he hated with a passion lol) at the bug jar. Some sort of tribute is in order...don't you think? --["Users/PhilDann"]
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''2015-03-02 07:19:07'' [[nbsp]] Here is information regarding Wilmer & the Dukes being inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.
Rochester Music Hall of Fame
Posted by Bill Hunt · February 28 at 11:14am · Edited ·
WILMER AND THE HALL OF FAMERS: Iconic Geneva band joining Rochester hall - News - Finger Lakes Times
WILMER AND THE HALL OF FAMERS: Iconic Geneva band joining Rochester Music Hall of Fame
ROCHESTER — Jim Richmond remembers the night Wilmer Alexander Jr. climbed into the rafters at St. Bonaventure University’s gym and drove the crowd wild with his antics.
Here’s the thing: Alexander undertook those acrobatics while belting out tunes with his usual skill. He did the same thing when he performed standing on top of the speakers at other venues during the 1960s and 1970s.
“He was a serious musician, but not so full of himself that he forgot to be entertaining,” Richmond said. “Some guys just have that ‘it factor,’ and he had it.”
The Rochester Music Hall of Fame agrees. Karl LaPorta, chairman of the Hall’s board, announced Wednesday that Wilmer and the Dukes will be inducted into the Hall during an April 26 ceremony at the Eastman Theatre.
The Dukes will join singer William Warfield, jazz musician Ron Carter, keyboardist Gap Mangione and Gibson Guitar CEO Henry Juszkiewicz in the Hall’s fourth class of inductees.
“There’s great depth in the history of music here, and just the phenomenal performers,” said Jack Whittier, vice chairman of the Hall’s board. “We’ve got a document that’s 55 pages long of potential nominees.”
Alexander was born in Florida and moved to Geneva at age 2. He formed the Dukes in the late 1950s and performed with them through 1974. A new incarnation of the band formed in the late 1980s and continued performing until recent years.
The group, which specialized in R&B, performed at scores of colleges and clubs and released one album. Richmond said it always drew packed houses.
“[Alexander] was like a pied piper, that’s the best way I could put it,” Richmond said. “He was like an icon. People just swarmed to see him.”
Guitarist Doug Brown, a Virginia native, joined the Dukes in 1963 and performed with them through 1974. He was not at Wednesday’s press conference, but he plans to attend the April 26 induction and maybe even perform with fellow Dukes member Ronnie Alberts, a Geneva native.
Other early members included Monty Alberts, Ralph Gillotte of Geneva and Bob Egan. George “Ebo” Alberts, the father of Monty and Ronnie, managed the band, and Brown credits him for helping it succeed.
Drummer Ronnie Alberts said he first joined The Dukes in 1959, returned in 1962 and remained with the band until 1974.
The band was one of the first to hire security to check IDs because so many people tried to sneak in, he said. It was also one of the first to hold teen hops.
“We played a lot of frat parties, especially back when I first came back with the band,” said Alberts, who now lives in Sarasota, Fla. “I think we played every college in the state of New York, and we played out of it. We played Dartmouth, we played Princeton, Cornell, Colgate, name it.”
Alberts said Alexander’s talents were one key to the band’s success. He had a background in gospel music and could play the piano as well as the saxophone.
“The other part was, when we were playing back [then] everyone thought we were a black band,” Alberts said. “They were very surprised to see we were a white band with one black singer [Alexander]. That was kind of unique back then.”
Alberts is happy about the upcoming induction, but he said he never would have predicted it if someone had asked him about it 30 years ago. Back then, the band just played and had a lot of fun playing.
Brown, too, was pleased to see The Dukes being recognized. He said Alexander asked him to join the band after hearing him play in the Rochester area.
“There’s lots of high points and low points, but recording in New York was one of the high points: The record coming out just surprised everybody,” Brown said in a phone interview. “We were well rehearsed, and each person was a good musician. We were mature enough to play, like, weddings, ballads, jazz, swing tunes. That’s what Wilmer and the guys kind of liked. But when we ran into the younger crowd, we played to them, you know what I’m saying? And we did it well. It was like Wilmer had kind of a magic of his own.”
Richmond was among those who succumbed to that spell. He became a fan and eventually a friend and pupil of Alexander’s after seeing him perform one night at North Street School in Geneva.
At the time, Richmond was trying to decide between music and baseball. Two or three songs in, he decided on music.
Richmond’s own band, the Echomen, tried to emulate The Dukes and followed their shows.
“We’d just sit there and study them, and everything they did, we did,” he said.
In those days, The Dukes often played six nights a week.
“What he taught me was more than just how to play the sax,” Richmond said. “He taught me how to read an audience.”
Richmond serves on the Hall’s selection committee and flipped over posters to reveal this year’s inductees Wednesday.
LaPorta spoke about each. He said The Dukes set the bar high for dance hall and club music.
“Everyone about my age and a little younger and a little older remembers all those nights at the clubs and the fun we had dancing along with them — what a great band,” he said. “[They] hit the national Billboard Hot 100 with the band’s first single, ‘Give Me One More Chance.’ I’m sure everyone remembers that.”
Bruce Pilato, who is producing the April 26 ceremony, said myths spread among fans about Alexander’s fate after the band ended its run in the 1970s. He was eager to dispel them.
“A lot of people didn’t think that Wilmer was still around, but Wilmer is alive, and he will be here,” he said.
Richmond said the April 26 ceremony will be emotional for him but also exciting.
“I’m hoping that Geneva people will come out and support this and him,” he said.
About the ceremony
The April 26 Rochester Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony will feature a host of big names and big performances.
The lineup is still being finalized, but event producer Bruce Pilato said inductees Ron Carter and Gap Mangione will be there. Mangione will perform, as will Thomas Warfield, nephew of inductee William Warfield. To honor inductee Henry Juszkiewicz, CEO of Gibson Guitars, the Hall plans to feature an all-star lineup of Gibson Guitar players, including Chris Daughtry.
For more information, visit www.rochestermusic.org --["Users/KarlLaPorta"]
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''2015-04-13 18:45:52'' [[nbsp]] The lead singer, Dave White, of Hammer has contacted me about submitting some info about our band and I wanted to advise that I will do so after meeting with him. Some of the info submitted by Mike B is incomplete and/or inaccurate, so I will do my homework about where all the members are and post here. Suffice to say in the meantime, Dave is still singing and dancing, perhaps a bit slower on the dancing front, but still a great front man and friend. Those of you who still have your memory and attended the monthly "Lovin Dozen" parties, probably saw the band at the likes of Arena's, Shakespere, Logan's, and Bistol Mountain, where I met my wife. Until I get my facts together, Mike Clary --["Users/b3hammer"]

'Meg and The Clams - Live at Milestones from 1999 to 2005'. featuring Meg Gehman, Joe Lupiani, John Carlino, Phil Lindsay, Lee Johnson, Ted Lincoln and Tim Korff.
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''2015-08-30 12:56:06'' [[nbsp]] Wow! I kept thinking of bands to include and kept finding them one at a time as I read.
Red White and Blues Band?? Werner Fritzschings was the amazing guitarist. Played often at the U of R Palestria. I don't remeber any of the other band members, but I know they would practice on Brooks Ave. Werner went on to join Tim Bogart and Carmine Appice(former bassist and drummer for Vanilla Fudge)in Catus.
Also, Typical Blimp?? Two brothers, one on drums the other on guitar and Steve Banner(?) on bass.
Old Salt I recall seeing at The Bungalow on Mt Hope. -BillBusch --["Users/BillBusch"]
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''2015-10-08 12:14:44'' [[nbsp]] Wow. Way to tug some memories. Got my start skipping school and learning how to play harmonica downtown, walking around like some forlorn person with the blues. Anyhow, got to do some repairs for Peter Pearce, strings and trombone for Old Salt. Ended up playing roadie for them, would sit in once in a while on gigs I wasn't even old enough to be in. too funny. Over the years got to sit in with so many of these folks, and the mentions of the old clubs really warmed my heart. Ended up working in some of them. Red Creek and The Arcade come to mind. Anyhow, thanks for triggering some great memories, and as they come back, I'll post some more. Anybody know what happened to the rest of Old Salt? Have sat in with Dick Leschorn as recently as 15 years ago probably. BTW in the text above, Ted Paris is misnamed Jim? Played bass in Rain, with Helmut Geddo? sp? and he was my bass teacher, when I thought bass was cool. --["Users/AlanDeVincentis"]
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''2016-01-22 22:42:32'' [[nbsp]] It's baffling that this page is the only non-sale/auction page in a Google search that talks about "Three Boxes." I have no familiarity with any eastern city's music scene, let alone Rochester, but "Real India" popped up in a local used CD shop, and I was quite delighted by it. I had to add the CD into Discogs and Rateyourmusic (the latter didn't even have the band listed yet!). Thanks for the blurb and the "where are they now" info. :) --["Users/Alainsane"]
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''2016-05-27 09:05:05'' [[nbsp]] How about Full Tilt? --["Users/sabrefreeeek"]
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''2016-06-08 19:49:27'' [[nbsp]] ==80's==
1980 to 1985 "Quarter Moon"
Popular wedding and party band that played under this name in the early 80's and later evolved to a number of different interations.Based in the south Rochester area (Lima) originally began as a trio with Gerry Curry , Dale Curry and Andy Stasko. Featured primarily acoustic based versions of popular and classic folk, soft rock and country covers including, America, Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, CSN&Y, Dan Fogleberg, Beatles, etc. emphasizing acoustic guitar work, flute , harmonica featuring male and female vocals and tight harmonies. Later added a rhythm section originally with Dan Johnson on bass and Bill Tarramino on drums but later replaced by Steve Harrison –drums and Ed Kendrick -bass. Adding electric instruments the band later evolved into a and popular wedding /party band performing current pop/ soft rock/ oldies/ classic rock hits as well as a mix of the original format. They played mostly within a 60 mile radius of Rochester. After 1985 the band changed personnel losing Andy Stasko and later also changed it’s name. -andystasko
--["Users/AndyStasko"]