Photos

By Mike Stampalia.   60 years ago: Carlos Montoya @ Berkshire Music Barn The suddenness of Montoya’s thematic changes, the unannounced illogical changes of volume, direction and speed may be appropriate accompaniment for an arched-back, whirling, heel-stamping flamenco dancer, but in the music they fill us with frustration and confusion. – R.C.H for the Morning […]

By Mike Stampalia.   50 years ago: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band @ the Music Inn The songs from Springsteen’s soon-to-be-released third album, especially “10th Avenue Freezeup,” “Born to Run” (the title song) and “All the Redemption I Got Is Under My Hood” were great. – Richard Taskin for the North Adams Transcript […]

image: Sammy Hagar at SPAC July 22, 2025 – photo by Stephanie J Bartik for RadioRadioX By Mike Stampalia.   1 year ago: Sammy Hagar / Loverboy @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center The last two songs of the night were “Jump” and “When It’s Love.” Pat Monahan came back out to sing the “nah part,” […]

30 years ago: Queensryche / Type O Negative @ Knickerbocker Arena The plot line revolved around the lead character, Nicky (portrayed by Queensryche vocalist Geoff Tate), who was involved in some vague journey of self-discovery. Or was it about the tug of war between career success and personal satisfaction? Or maybe it all boiled down […]

image: James Taylor on SPAC stage (July 20, 1975) – photo from the Saratogian By Mike Stampalia.   50 years ago: James Taylor / Emmylou Harris @ Saratoga Performing Arts Center “Gorilla,” “Walking Man,” “Down in Mexico,” and an almost angry version of “Steamroller” balanced the softer songs which are Taylor’s alone. Guitarist Danny Kootch […]