The Hard Rock Cafe, Niagara Falls, USA partnered with the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame to showcase memorabilia on behalf of Western New York’s music legends with a room dedicated to its inductees. The Room was officially dedicated on Thursday, June 27 2013, with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and a gathering of dignitaries and inducted members. Events and gatherings are held in the room including a reception for the Hard Rock "Battle of the Bands" showcase. The 48-seat Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Room at Hard Rock Cafe features various pieces of memorabilia from the collection of the Hard Rock Cafe and from pieces donated by the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. Artifacts include George “Hound Dog”
Lorenz’s WBLK wall clock; Jessie Galante’s Stage One jacket; a display of Joe Calato’s Regal Tip drum sticks and more! When in Niagara Falls, NY, stop by and visit the room and have a nice meal while you're at it.
For more information about the Hard Rock Cafe Niagara Falls, USA, click here>>.
BMHOF Inductees featured at The Hard Rock Niagara Falls, USA
The inducted members below are honored with artifacts and stories on the walls of the dedicated Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Room at the Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St, Niagara Falls NY 14303
10,000 Maniacs – BMHOF Class of 1994
One of the most critically acclaimed bands of the last three decades, 10,000 Maniacs were founded by Robert Buck, Dennis Drew, Steven Gustafson, John Lombardo and Natalie Merchant in the fall of 1981. Jerry Augustyniak joined in 1983. Writing and performing powerful, dance-able and socially conscious original material in and around their hometown of Jamestown, New York, the group toured extensively. The current lineup consists of Jerome Augustyniak, Dennis Drew, Jeff Erickson, Steven Gustafson, Mary Ramsey and John Lombardo. Natalie Merchant was inducted as a solo artist in 2013.
Natalie Merchant – BMHOF Class of 2013
Hailing from Jamestown, New York, Natalie Merchant has had a successful career in the music business for over 30 years earning her a place among America’s most respected recording artists, songwriters, and performers. Ms. Merchant began her musical career singing for a band, “Still Life”, that became “10,000 Maniacs” (BMHOF Class of 1994). As the lead vocalist for the pop music band “10,000 Maniacs” two platinum and four gold records were released with the group between 1981 and 1993. The 10,000 Maniacs, under the vocal leadership of Natalie Merchant, helped define college rock and created the first wave of alternative rock bands, which collectively became known as the alternative rock format on FM radio.
Nino Tempo & April Stevens - BMHOF Class of 1999
In 1963 Nino Tempo and April Stevens made local history when they became the first Western New York act of the rock era to score a Number 1 single with “Deep Purple.” Originally from Niagara Falls, USA, this brother and sister duo earned a Grammy Award when the song was named Best Rock ‘n’ Roll song of the year. When asked about his reaction to being inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame, April stated, “We grew up in Niagara Falls and to get such recognition in your home area means a lot.” Nino added, “We’re both very grateful and it’s very flattering. Back there is where it all started for us and that’s why this means so much.
George “Hound Dog” Lorenz - BMHOF Class of 1996
George “Hound Dog” Lorenz was Buffalo born and raised and spent most of his career in Western New York. But what many people forgetis that the Hound worked from 1953 to 1955 in Cleveland on WSRS.
Prior to his Cleveland stay, the Hound had started his career at WBTA inBatavia, NY, in 1947, later moving on to WXRL in Lancaster, NY, and WJJL in Niagara Falls, NY. In 1955, powerful 50,000-watt WKBW lured Lorenz back to Buffalo from Cleveland and he never left. At ‘KB, he became a Buffalo phenomenon, with a fan club numbering 70,000 and a huge listener following up and down the eastern U.S. and Canada. His radio shows were heard all over the world. He was a pioneer. He brought the music to the common man, and was himself a common man.
Brian McKnight – BMHOF Class of 1998
Growing up in Buffalo and learning to sing in the choir of the Emmanuel Temple, Brian McKnight has earned himself a spot in contemporary music history with the release of many albums, several of which have gone platinum to triple platinum, including 1998’s “Anytime” and has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. For his outstanding work in music, Brian has received numerous awards and nominations including Grammys, Soul Train Awards, NAACP Image Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, BET Awards and American Music Awards.
Calato Manufacturing - Regal Tip - BMHOF Class of 2001
Necessity is the mother of invention. No one knows this better than Joe Calato, who revolutionized the drumstick industry in 1958. Prior to that time only wood tip sticks were available. Although the sound was great, many drummers were frustrated when their wood tips wore out too quickly. That’s when professional drummer and woodworker, Joe Calato, decided to try to make a stick that would last longer and would offer a new, cutting edge sound. Joe’s invention marked a revolution in percussion manufacturing and design that continues today. To this day the drum world credits Joe Calato with establishing modern standards in drumstick crafting.
Paul Varga, Billy Sheehan, Dave Constantino – BMHOF Class of 1983
The first Buffalo Music Hall of Fame alumni automatically inducted on the strength of three consecutive Buffalo Music Awards top honors, the members of Talas were inducted individually. Talas, a power trio with Billy Sheehan on bass, Dave Constantino on guitar and Paul Varga on drums was one of Buffalo’s most popular local bands for over a decade. The band played a mixture of cover songs and original material, and all three instrumentalists alternated on lead vocals.
In 1978, Talas released their eponymous debut album, which generated the regional hit single, “See Saw.” Talas re-formed in 2012 for a highly attended concert at Hard Rock Cafe’s Summer Concert Series.
Ani DiFranco – BMHOF Class of 1996
Born in Buffalo, New York, Ani DiFranco has been acclaimed by Billboard Magazine as probably the most successful independent artist in the country. Ani spent part of her twenties in New York City, and then returned to her hometown where she established first a business office and then a performance venue called Babeville.Ani made a choice early in life: To use her voice and her guitar as honestly and unflinchingly as she could, writing and playing songs that came straight from her own experience, her boundless imagination, her sharp wit, and her ever-more-nuanced understanding of how the world works. She did it in noisy bars with nothing but a shaved head and a lone guitar in 1990, and she’s doing it with renewed intensity today.
Harold Arlen (born Hyman Arluck) – BMHOF Class of 1997
Harold Arlen, born Hyman Arluck in 1905, wrote some of the greatest hits from the 30’s and 40’s, including the entire score to the classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Get Happy,” “Stormy Weather,” “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” “I’ve Got the World on a String,” and “Last Night When We Were Young” are just some of the standards that live on today and have distinguished Harold Arlen as one of the Great American Composers of the 20th Century
Tommy Tedesco – BMHOF Class of 1996
Through most of the 1960s and 1970s, the Niagara Falls native was a Los Angeles session guitarist, part of a loose-knit group of about 20 musicians nicknamed the “Wrecking Crew” that played on an astonishing amount of the music we associate with that era. His guitar lines helped create the California sound. When you listen to Jan & Dean or The Beach Boys, there is a good chance you are hearing Tommy Tedesco. During the 60’s and 70’s he also recorded with Frank Zappa, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald and many more artists. He is possibly on more albums, of all styles of music, than any other session guitarist. Not bad for a guy who, according to his son Denny, was called the “worst student he ever had” by his guitar teacher in Niagara Falls. Tommy passed away on November 10, 1997, but the guitar lines he created will live forever.
Gary Mallaber - BMHOF Class of 1997
Gary Mallaber, born in Buffalo, New York, is a session drummer, percussionist and singer. He got his start playing drums in a band from Buffalo known as Raven. Mallaber also plays keyboards and sings on many albums by well-known rock artists. He is probably best known for his work as drummer/percussionist, backup singer, and co-composer for The Steve Miller Band. The cymbal you see hanging at the Hard Rock Room was played on Bruce Springsteen’s recording of “Lucky Town.”
Goo Goo Dolls - BMHOF Class of 1995
Formed in 1986 and consisting of Johnny Rzeznik (guitarist), Robby Takac (bass) and George Tutuska (drums), the Goos originally called themselves “Sex Maggot.” An ad for “Goo Goo Dolls” in True Detective magazine inspired them to try a new moniker, and it stuck.
Early Metal Blade releases brought the Goos national acclaim, but their tours were long on dates and short on monetary compensation. “A Boy Named Goo” changed all of that, but, it has not changed the band.
The Goos have not forgotten their hometown of Buffalo. They have performed sell-out shows which have raised money for local charities. Robby’s “Music is Art (MiA)” Foundation, is dedicated to connecting music and the community.
Rick James – BMHOF Class of 1996
Brilliant hitmaker, soulful singer, riveting performer, influential producer/impresario, pioneer in the fusion of funk groove and rock attitude - Rick James was all of these and more. Flamboyant, provocative, charismatic, volatile and always outrageous, he was a consummate artist and a bona fide star.
In addition to his recordings, he produced and presented BMHOF inductees, “Process & the Doo Rags” and “The Mary Jane Girls” as well as “Teena Marie.”
Constantly reaching, growing and exploring new aspects of his talent were all part of the genius of Rick James. Since he burst upon the scene in the late 70’s with his unique brand of Punk Funk music, he has been an inspiration to his peers and won the acclaim of audiences and critics alike. James’ left us far too soon, but his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists to get their super freak on.
Jessie Galante – BMHOF Class of 2010
Crowned the First Lady of Buffalo Rock, Jessie Galante has enjoyed a very successful career. With her band, Actor, she rapidly became the number one female singer in the region and received radio play from the area’s top radio stations. Moving to LA she formed the band “Fire” that gained massive acclaim as one of LA’s best bands with a series of sold out shows. After that group disbanded, she returned to the Buffalo area to concentrate on a solo career. She is a prolific recording artist with a following in both the U.S. and Europe. A charismatic and dynamic performer, Galante was meant to be on stage and in the spotlight.
Buffalo Bills Barbershop Quartet - BMHOF Class of 2009
Long before professional football came toBuffalo, New York, another group of men formed what can be considered to be theoriginal Buffalo Bills, the legendary barbershop quartet. Forming in 1945, Barber Shop Four had an inauspicious beginning in international competition, placing 16th at Oklahoma City in 1948. In Omaha in 1950 the international gold medals were hung around their necks and a new era of barbershop harmony began. In 1957 Meredith Willson wrote a stage musical and, after meeting the group, decided to include a barbershop quartet in his new Broadway play, “The Music Man.”
Members of the Quartet:
Vern Reed (1947-1967),
Al Shea (1947-1967),
Herschel Smith (1947-1950),
Dick Grapes (1950-1957),
Wayne “Scotty” Ward (1957-1967),
Bill Spangenberg (1947-1962),
Jim Jones (1962-1967)
