Archival Buffalo News feature articles

  Now that all the organizational issues for Rich Stadium concerts were ironed out, Mother Nature decided to throw a curve. August 9, 1976 Elton John Pours It On For Rain-Soaked Fans Elton John was amazed. “I thank you for standing out in the rain and sitting out in the rain,” he remarked as he strode out in a Stars & Stripes Uncle Sam outfit in Rich Stadium Saturday afternoon for the first of three encores. “You deserve a medal of honor.” Instead of medals, the drizzle-soaked, wind-chilled crowd of 52,560 got a whale of a concert from the supermost superstar of the ‘70s. In fact, such was the energy of that first encore – everybody shouting along to the chorus of “Saturday Night’s All Right for Fighting” – that the rain faltered and it seemed like the sun would awaken for a guest appearance. But it didn’t. It was miraculous enough that Superfest 10 beat the deluge. The promoters rushed to fit it all in, forestalling an epidemic of rockin’ pneumonia and the boog...

How suddenly did Peter Frampton skyrocket to superstardom in 1976? A mere three months after opening for the J. Geils Band in Memorial Auditorium, he was back  –  this time  as a headliner in Rich Stadium.  July 12, 1976 Superfest 9 – Predictable and Satisfying             Perhaps the most striking thing about Superfest 9 in Rich Stadium was the predictability of it.           The promoters, Buffalo ’s Festival East in conjunction with Belkin Productions of Cleveland, are going into their third summer of rock music on the tarpaulin-covered Astroturf, and between them and the kids the scenario is down to a science.           Everything went pretty much as planned – from the opening of the first parking lot (at 7 a.m., an anticipated two hours ahead of schedule) until early Sunday when the cleanup crew scooped the last one-...

  These folks had some killer weed.   July 9, 1976   Starship Cuts Loose From ‘Airplane’ Aura             Up early to look at the Falls and stuff are the four musicians who’ve provided the underpinning that’s refashioned the ruins of San Francisco ’s old Jefferson Airplane into the high-flying success of Jefferson Starship.           As three of them talk in bassist-pianist David Freiberg’s hotel room, it’s clear that the Starship has cut free from the slippery psychedelic moorings of Airplane’s past.           “This band has nothing to do with the Airplane,” says drummer John Barbata. “It’s a new band. Everybody contributes to the music. Think of us as the Starship.” * * * THREE STARSHIP albums (“Dragonfly” in 1974, the million-selling “Red Octopus” and their newest, “Spitfire”) will dominate their concert tonight at...

  Time for another conversation with my imaginary compadre.   May 1, 1976 Piano, Organ Add to Adventure of Rolling Stones   I WAS STUFFING  last week’s release of some 50 elpees into a wheelbarrow and muttering something to the effect of all or nothing, feast or famine, when from behind me came a deep, well-modulated, school-of-broadcasting voice.            “Want some good advice, good buddy?”            “Jethro T. Megahertz, you old scoundrel. Advice I can do without, especially yours, but you’re just in time to help me with this heap of new records.”            “Negatory, son. I didn’t leave my new citizen’s band radio to come encourage you in your foolish ways. My clue to you is to take six. Over.”            “Wait a minute, Megahertz,” I objected as we walked into t...

  Despite what the headline says, it’s still the original Bad Company, just badder. April 17, 1976  Britain's 'New' Bad Company Still Deals in the Essentials              Does Bad Company do business on Good Friday? You bet. Just check out those hundreds of empty-handed fans scuffling away after the Niagara Falls Convention Center box office sells out about 8 p.m.           Last June saw seats to spare here for the British foursome, but the intervening months have given birth to their third and what many say is their best elpee, “Run with the Pack.” Now there’s a hot clamor for their mordant sledge-hammer rhythms.           So much, in fact, that it reportedly leaves the group a bit bemused and bewildered. Then again, what else can a band think after breaking a Led Zeppelin attendance record in Tampa ? * * * WHAT’S HAPPEN...