(image: the new ticket office at SPAC was attacked by angry fans (July 13, 1965) – photo by the Saratogian)
50 years ago: The J. Geils Band / Eros @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center
“Last night’s incident gave a lot of ammunition to those people who are opposed to rock concerts. I’m afraid it put the final nail in the coffin.”
Several thousand angry fans left three windows in the new box office at the center smashed and a layer of glass on the amphitheater’s stage Sunday night following a concert by the J. Geils Band which they felt was too short.
– Craig Wilson and Steve Grandin for the Saratogian
60 years ago: Louis Armstrong @ Mount Royal restaurant (Lake George)
The world -renowned entertainer offered a varied show, ranging from New Orleans blues era to hit show tunes and many of the songs which have long been associated with Louis Armstrong. – Glens Falls Times
10 years ago: Dale Watson and his All-Stars / Lara Hope and the Ark-Tones @ the Linda
Leave it to Watson to take a detour from any notion of a set list per se: a fan’s call for “Carryin on This Way” was satisfied immediately, replete with some fine chicken-pickin’ solos by Watson on his coin-adorned Telecaster. “We’ve got a rowdy crowd!” announced a grinning Watson, who introduced his talented band before honoring a request for “Exit 109” from the Truckin’ Sessions Trilogy.
– Fred Rudofsky for Nippertown
1 year ago: “Rock the Dock” @ Lake George Steamboat Company
“Rock the Dock” at Lake George Steamboat Company (July 13, 2024) – photo by Timothy Reidy for RadioRadioX
Speaking of banging your head, Dopapod brought up Tim Palmeri of Lotus for a ripping cover of “Sweet Leaf” and was the big highlight of the set. It was nice to see them perform in the north country before the band goes on their indefinite hiatus at the turn of the year.
1 year ago: Marty Wendell with the Bluebillies
Marty’s two sets at Caffe Lena Saturday night were like the soundtrack to my life, his originals almost an alternate reality that begged the question: what if the Sun Records masters were still with us?
– Don Wilcock for the Daily Gazette
1 year ago: Ghost Funk Orchestra / The Brighton Beat @ No Fun
Visit onstagealbany.com to keep up with Capital District concert reviews, both old and new.