Published: July 19, 2008 02:29 am            

MOLSON CONCERTS: Atmosphere keeps crowds coming to Lockport

By the time the headliners Nazareth took the stage of round three of the Molson Canal Concert Series on Friday night, it started to drizzle.

Fans of the hard rock band, and the curious, still were coming into the free show at the Ulrich City Centre. Promoter Kathy Paradowski estimated the crowd to be between 8,000 and 10,000 people.

There was a staggered start to the show, with the Flyin’ Blind Blues Band of Lockport leading off instead of Navigator. The Niagara Falls-based band played a shortened shift before Nazareth played.

“The reason for that was the lead singer for Navigator could not get here until 6:30. He ran into some difficulty. We had to put a band on, so we had to flip-flop,” Paradowski explained. “That just happens in the rock-star world sometime.”

Nazareth enjoyed some name recognition with the crowd, but most of the concert-goers were there to enjoy the ambiance and atmosphere of a rock event.

Bill Anterline and his date, Jaime Thayer, sat in lawn chairs at the corner of Locust and Walnut streets, while his father and mother, Bill and Cheryl Anterline, tapped their toes and snapped their fingers in the front of the Flyin’ Blind stage.

Bill was not familiar with Nazareth but enjoyed the first concert ...

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two shows of the series, Blood Sweat & Tears and Lou Gramm. “I had a good time,” he said. “I didn’t know the songs, but it didn’t matter. It was the atmosphere.”

Jennifer DeLuca, 17, and Lisa Lamanna, 18, of Staten Island found themselves at the rim of the concert at the Daily Grind at showtime. They went to Canada first on an unstructured vacation and visited Lockport on advice from an aunt.

“We are just tired of doing nothing for the summer and decided to do something as ever long as it takes. We’re trying to get to Cape Cod in Massachusetts,” Jennifer said.

They heard the music from the distance and decided to walk through the free concert. “I heard of Nazareth,” Jennifer said. “I don’t know much about them. It’s music my father listens to. He grew up with the music.”

Ernie and Andy Lawrence of Orleans County entertained outside the Daily Grind. “Last summer they asked if they could come in and play guitars,” owner Tom Bankcroft said. “It draws people to the patio.”

Shannon Jackowski of the Daily Grind said, “We have had an increase in business, not overwhelmingly so, but it’s been fun for people to come out and enjoy our front area.”

Lance Tulley, who attended with his wife, Debbie, wore a Nazareth 1993-94 World Tour T-shirt. Tulley was cool to the band that had its biggest hits 30 years ago. “I listen to them,” Lance said. “They’re pretty good, but they’re old. They’re from way back when. They’ll rock. They’ll rock, they’ll put on a good show.”

The T-shirt read, “Now you’re messing with a son of a bitch. Nazareth.”

Tulley said, “That’s the most famous song they got. That’s what built them their fans.”

Parking prices have been cut from $10 to $5 at several private lots.

Mike Griffith of the Lockport Laundry Center almost tripled the number of customers by cutting the price in half.

“It’s a free concert, $5 (to) keep an eye on your car, it isn’t a bad deal,” he said.

Boy Scout Troop 40 of Wrights Corners was a new vendor on Walnut Street. Scouts sold peanuts, crackerjacks and sno-cones. “All the families chipping in on Friday nights,” said Erin Nagel, the mother of two Scouts.

Pete and Megan Gamin of Gasport enjoy the fruits of the concert in Pete’s Treats and soft ice cream. “It’s been great,” Megan said. “The concerts are wonderful.”

Sheila Hanczarowski of Lockport has attended all the concerts. “I come with friends and neighbors to unwind after work,” she said.

Mike McCarthy and 18-year-old son, Brian, feel it’s pretty good entertainment. “I like this genre of music,” said Brian, who was wearing a Beatles T-shirt.

Fans of Flyin’ Blind arrived after the concert started, thinking the Lockport band was scheduled to play second.

“Some people are complaining about it,” Mayor Michael Tucker said. “They wanted to see the Flyin’ Blind band.”

Kenny Wayne Shepherd is due to perform next Friday.

Contact reporter Bill Wolcott 439-9222, ext. 6246.

        

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