A Look Back: July 27

By Mike Stampalia on July 27, 2025

image: Richard and Karen Carpenter at SPAC (July 27, 1975) – photo by the Saratogian

50 years ago: The Carpenters / Neil Sedaka @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center

And Sedaka, verteran singer-songwriter, was not about to disappoint anyone as he earned two encores and a standing ovation before the Carpenters could get the stage.

– Craig Wilson for the Saratogian

10 years ago: Heart @ Palace Theatre

First they nailed the frantic “The Immigrant Song,” Wilson getting up into the higher scales and sounding a lot like Robert Plant. Next came “No Quarter,” the ghostly epic that Wilson dug into and lifted up, all the band members rocking their Zep parts, looking like kids finally getting to play their favorite toy. Wilson herself seemed the most animated. These guitar-heavy songs can sound like mish-mosh for those who don’t know the tunes — and there were many Heart fans unsure what was going on from the looks of their blank faces.

– David Singer for the Daily Gazette

1 year ago: Pat Travers / The Joe Mele Project @ Powers Park