subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Published: August 15, 2008 10:50 pm    print this story  

CONCERTS: REO Speedwagon draws thousands to Ulrich City Centre

By April Amadon
E-mail April

Lockport Union-Sun & Journal

A crowd of thousands filled the Ulrich City Centre on Friday to welcome classic rockers REO Speedwagon to Lockport.

The band — known for hits like “Keep on Lovin’ You,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Take it on the Run” and “Time for me to Fly” — rocked the city in the second-to-last event of the Molson Canal Concert Series.

The festivities started long before showtime, with the band arriving in a large tour bus and riding around the city in limousines.

Mayor Michael Tucker said he was backstage before the show when he heard REO Speedwagon’s lead singer, Kevin Cronin, was interested in learning more about Lockport.

“He said he wanted to know where the locks are,” Tucker said. “He was very interested in the canal. ... I took him on a tour.”

Tucker and Cronin took a walk down to the locks.

The singer asked a lot of questions and was interested in the old buildings downtown, like the Old Post Office and the Old City Hall, Tucker said.

Some people recognized Cronin, and he gladly took pictures with fans.

“It’s fantastic,” Tucker said, watching the crowd.

The crowd began to fill the Ulrich City Centre long before REO Speedwagon took the stage.

Opening acts — The Common Kings and Tres Bien! — drew generous applause and cheers throughout the evening.

In the minutes before REO Speedwagon took the state, the crowd began to chant: “REO! REO!”

Mike Rutkowski and his brother, Rick Rutkowski, came to the show from Orleans County.

“It’s good old music,” Mike said.

“We enjoy these kind of bands,” Rick said. “They bring back the old music ... music you always like.”

The crowd sang in unison with Cronin, cheering loudly as each song finished.

Jeff Fire, of Wilson, came to the show wearing an REO Speedwagon T-shirt. He said he’s seen them in concert at least four times before Friday.

“Kevin Cronin, he’s an unbelievable singer,” Fire said. “I’m really excited.”

Fire said he’s come to several of the Molson Canal Concert Series shows, and he’s glad they moved to Lockport.

“I was a little skeptical at first, but now I got here, it’s awesome,” he said. “The sound is excellent.”

The Aug. 21 show, the last in the series, will feature Jeff Martin and openers Johnny Nobody and Mother Red.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

print this story  



Photos


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lockport, NY - The Friday night Molson canal concert series featured REO Speedwagon. Lead vocalist, Kevin Cronin pleased the crowd with favorite songs the band made popular. None/ (Click for larger image)


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lockport, NY - The Friday night Molson canal concert series featured REO Speedwagon and had a totally packed courtyard at the Ulrich City Centre. None/ (Click for larger image)


JOE EBERLE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Lockport, NY -The opening band Tres Bein guitarist, Michael Crowe, performs. The Friday night Molson canal concert series featured REO Speedwagon and had a totally packed courtyard at the Ulrich City Centre. None/ (Click for larger image)

Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Featured Jobs

Cleaners
Housekeeping, Summer/ permanent help, p/t-4 day work wk, no w/e, bonuses, car nec. 694-2810 ...>MORE

LEAD Carpenter
LEAD Carpenter for pole barn builder/steel roofing company. Experience required. Call 716-438-7720...>MORE

Store Manager
STORE MANAGER - Looking for individual with strong leadership and customer service skills to run convenience store in Lo...>MORE

Cook
COOKS, Servers, part time. Apply within Joe’s Hideaway, 2230 Cayuga Dr. Ext., Whtfld 990-1261...>MORE

Occupational Therapist
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST. Full-time day position. NYS license and registration required. Send resume or apply: Employment ...>MORE

Spanish Teacher
SPANISH Teacher-F/T, Exp., NYS Cert. Send resume to khalgash@ wny.twcbc.com or St. Peter RC School 140 N. 6th St., Lewis...>MORE

waitress
Waitress will train. Apply at Christos Restaurant, 2117 Military Rd. Niagara Falls, NY
...>MORE

Nurses
NURSES
RNs & LPNs

We have assignments available in home care
& staffing.
Interim Health Care
...>MORE

RNs
SCHOELLKOPF HEALTH CENTER

C.O.T.A.- Short Term
Rehab Clinic

Opportunity to work in dynamic
...>MORE

LPNS
LPNS, Certifid HHA's and Certified PCA/s needed. Several shifts available. Full and part time hours. Must be able to wor...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Dodge 2001 SLt
‘O1 DODGE SLT, 8’ bed, cap, spray line, low miles. Never seen winters, $7,300. 998-0230...>MORE

Chevrolet 2002 Cavalier
CHEVROLET 2002  CAVALIER    with 80,00 miles. Must see! Well maintained! Silver ext.,  Gray int.,  2DR,  Automatic,  Fro...>MORE

Dodge 1996 Grand Caravan
Niagara Falls
2753 NIAGARA ST.
FRI. SAT.
9AM-4PM
oriental rug, old tools, antique car parts, toys,
...>MORE

1994 Pontiac Sunbird
PONTIAC 1994 Sunbird conv. V6, EC in & out, red w/blk top, wht int., CD, real sharp. $2850. 523-7102...>MORE

Ford 1993 Taurus
FORD 1993 Taurus, just inspected, runs good $900 or best offer,
284-0244
...>MORE

1990 Chevy 2500
1990 CHEVY 2500 pick up, fresh paint, 160k mi, good runner, 4WD, ext cab, $2500, 716-572-9153...>MORE

Ford Escape XLT 2001
FORD ESCAPE XLT 2001, remote start, new catalytic converter, 116K, $3800 or best offer. 480-3031...>MORE

1994 Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon
BUICK 1994 Roadmaster Estate Wagon, V8, 130k, fair condition, 1 owner. $2800 or BO. 297-1061....>MORE

Mercury Cougar 1994
Mercury Cougar 1994 $2000 or best offer. Good condition, 60K original miles. 552-2844...>MORE

Cashiers
CASHIERS - Looking for cashiers for convenience store in Wrights Corners.  Call 689-0600 ext. 31. ...>MORE

See all ads

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index