Archival Buffalo News feature articles

  You can’t always get what you want, but sometimes you get what you need. Aug. 13, 1979  ‘Magazine’ Is Cure for Lack of ‘Cramps’ “You won’t believe the Cramps” – that was the advance notice on Festival East’s New Wave rock show in Lockport’s After Dark club Sunday night. But, alas, the zany New York City band met with delays on the road. No Cramps.          It turned out to be an extraordinary night anyway. Festival East gave fans a double subscription to the headliner, Magazine, an arty new British band fronted by former Buzzcock Howard Devoto.          In some ways, that was a better offer than the original. One set of Magazine wouldn’t have been enough. It took a second reading to expose the band’s best qualities.          For the first half, Devoto’s pinched face, painted cheekbones and zombie-like vocals suggested David Bowie. The second tim...

  Buffalo always had a special relationship with these guys, dating back to that infamous date in 1970 at Aliotta’s on Hertel Avenue, when their road manager stabbed the club owner to death in a dispute over money. June 14, 1979  Older, Wiser Allman Brothers Have Their Act Together Again Gregg Allman grins into the Memorial Auditorium spotlights Wednesday night. “Long time, no see,” he chirps innocently, as if all that hide-and-seek with Cher here a couple of years ago was far, far in the past.          But then again, the Allman Brothers Band has a tradition of forgiving the past, even if they don’t forget it. Despite all the fussing and fighting, drugging and dying, they’ve got it together again. They dedicate the show to the late Berry Oakley and Duane Allman.          The Allmans prove themselves true to that musical memory. They recount many of their old favorites, from “Whipping P...

  Another one of those fabulous nights at Stage One. May 23, 1979  Jackson Show  Energetic Romp Joe Jackson wore his white shoes Tuesday night at Harvey and Corky’s Stage One in Clarence and looked sharp all the way.          The newly-emerging British singer-songwriter rocked the jam-packed club for an hour and left the crowd chanting: “Joe, Joe, Joe.” Among the onlookers were at least two members of Supertramp, who stayed over after their sellout show Monday in Memorial Auditorium.          Jackson cut the figure of a small-time mobster out for a time on the town – gray flannel coat buttoned over a striped shirt and polka-dot tie – an outfit emulated by contestants in a dress-up competition.          His performance was all urgency. His face contorted around his lips and teeth. His short blond hair stood on end when he ran his fingers back ...