Published: July 12, 2008 12:37 am            

MOLSON CONCERTS: Blood, Sweat & Tears keeps series spinning

Although the song says what goes up must come down, the band that sings those very words seems to still be going up after four decades.

As part of the 40th anniversary tour, the ageless jazz rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears performed Friday night at the second show of the 2008 Molson Canal Concert Series. People packed the Ulrich City Centre on Main Street, anxiously awaiting the band who would be performing with one of their original vocalists, Steve Katz.

“Hello Lockport!” shouted Rob Paparozzi, a Blood, Sweat & Tears vocalist, as the band was ready to perform songs like “Spinning Wheel,” where the lyrics come from.

Katz was one of the band’s founders back in 1968, and 127 musicians have played in the Blood, Sweat & Tears since then. The current roster is Katz and Paparozzi on vocals; Dave Gellis on guitar; Glenn McClelland on keyboards; Gary Foote on bass; Andrea Valentini on drums; Teddy Mulet and Steve Jankowski on trumpet and Jens Wendelboe playing trombone.

Three opening acts preceded Blood, Sweat & Tears. Musicians Amber Rubarth, Will Dailey and Joshua James took to the stage ready to play. They all said how much they liked to be in Lockport on Friday.

“This is my first time here in Lockport,” Rubarth said. “And I love it here.”

People kept filling up the City Centre throughout the evening, but it was at its fullest for Blood, Sweat & Tears. The archway of the City Centre was packed, as were neighboring businesses such as Taboo Restaurant and Sub Delicious on Locust Street. Some folks even brought lawn chairs and sat outside the concert area. Frisbees and beach balls could be seen being tossed in the air all over. Prizes also were tossed out to the crowd.

Vendors could be found in a number of places, and there was one who was there for a special purpose. Quality Markets hosted an “Alex’s Lemonade Stand,” which raises money for cancer research. People can give a dollar for a cup of lemonade. Ellen Lauer of Quality said all of the money goes to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation.

“It’s for a good cause,” Lauer said.

The foundation came from a front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who died in 2004. At the age of 4, Scott announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer. Since then, the foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement.

There was also a fundraiser for the Niagara County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Raffle tickets were sold for a dollar to win a guitar signed by Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Before the show started, those who arrived early were treated to a singing contest called “Cricket Idol.” Sponsored by Cricket Wireless, the event featured 11 contestants singing in front of the crowd and a panel of judges. Five advanced to the next round, which will be held July 25 before the concert’s start.

Advancing to the next level are: Danielle Calato, who sang “With or Without You” by the band U2; Ariana Lopez, who sang “I Did It My Way” by Frank Sinatra; Ahnree Oakes, who sang “Superstitious” by Stevie Wonder; Brittany Edmond, who sang “This Love” by Maroon 5; and Gabrielle Avazquez, who sang “Love” by Keysha Cole.

The winner of the contest will receive two tickets to Jacksonville, Fla., for an audition with the television show, “American Idol.” They will also sing the National Anthem at a Buffalo Bisons baseball game in August.

The Molson Canal Concert Series continues Friday with Nazareth, and openers Flyin’ Blind and Navigator.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick

at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.