Aliquippa musician Dan Bubien holds out; Orianthi rocked Stage AE

Aliquippa soul blues rocker Dan Bubien can’t wait to get the Mr. Smalls Theater audience excited for the famous Los Lobos on November 2nd.

“A gig that was two years ago,” said Bubien of the Millvale concert, which was originally scheduled for April 19, 2020 and then April 9, 2021 – postponed twice by COVID.

“It feels great to be able to play live music again in a band situation in a great venue for a legendary band,” said Bubien. “Of course the last two years have been a challenge for everyone to say the least. But for me the close family members who are immunocompromised and who have left every member of the band and moved on have really made things challenging.”

One of Bubien’s bandmates moved to Nashville, another to Florida, and the third retired from music.

“To be honest, I’m still trying to figure things out. But I’ve been very fortunate to work with some great musicians and have them play with me and help me keep my music going is very inspiring. ”Bubien, a singer, guitarist and recording artist, said.

For the Los Lobos show, Dan Bubien & The Delta Struts’ new look includes Steve Binsberger on the keys.

“Steve is amazing. He currently plays with Bill Toms and was the original keyboardist for Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band,” said Bubien. “I’ve got Jim Spears on bass. Jim is as solid as he gets. He’s played with everyone. Like everyone in town, he’s the first phone call when they need someone.”

On drums is the original drummer and co-founder of The Commonheart, Shawn McGregor.

“This is going to be Shawn’s second gig with me and the band, and it’s really cool that he’s on this one because right before the shutdown he toured with Los Lobos as their opener on The Commonheart. So he knows these guys personally. “

Los Lobos became famous in 1987 when its cover of Richie Valens’ “La Bamba” stormed the charts to # 1. Los Lobos’ mix of Mexican-American rock and Roots-Americana has won Grammy Awards, accolades, and prestigious gigs from the White House to the Pasadena, California Rose Parade.

For Bubien, who has already aired Pittsburgh radio stations and performed in prestigious venues such as the Thunderbird Cafe, the Palace Theater and the Pittsburgh Winery, the Los Lobos opening is a triumph of perseverance and a great opportunity to attract new fans .

Tickets for the 8:00 p.m. show are $ 35, available at ticketweb.com

Sonny keeps beaming

Beaver Valley musicians David Granati, Hermie Granati, Drew Pinchotti and Charlie Barath will share the stage with their Pittsburgh colleagues on November 3rd for the 18th annual Rhythms of Life concert at Linden Grove Nightclub in Castle Shannon.

The top-class musical line-up with the band Granati Brothers also includes Katie Simone, Soulful Femme, Shelley Duff, Joel Lindsey and Bastard Bearded Irishmen, while the house band includes Matt Barranti, Jason Kendall, Ron Soltis and Ben Tryc.

Tickets are $ 25 at the box office, $ 20 in advance on sonnypugar.org or by email at spugar@comcast.net.

The 7 p.m. concert raises money for Live Music in Caring Places, a program where local musicians perform in regional hospitals to raise the morale of patients and their families. The program was launched and remains an integral part of the Sonny Pugar Memorial Foundation, inspired by the late Ambridge drummer.

Pugar became a Beaver Valley legend at 16 when he set a Guinness Book of Records for the longest drum solo. He played in BE Taylor’s 1960 band The Redcoats and began a career as a drummer for well-known musicians such as The Coasters, The Skyliners, Dion & the Belmonts, the Four Tops, Jan & Dean, Bo Diddley and Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits.

Women rocked

Her guitar playing delighted in “The Greatest Concert That Never Happened”.

Virtually everyone who has seen “This Is It,” the documentary about Michael Jackson rehearsing for a concert residence in London in 2009 for which he did not live long enough, was by The King of Pops, then 22-year-old Australian guitar killer Orianthi. how frozen Panagaris.

Working exclusively with her first name, Orianthi released a double-platinum pop-rock single “According to You” before shredding guitar in Alice Cooper’s band from 2011 to 2014.

She hasn’t been on the radar for the past few years so it was wonderful to see Orianthi demonstrate her guitar wizardry and hearty singing as part of the Women Who rock show at Stage AE last weekend.

Orianthi’s bluesy full-throttle rock raised the energy level for the women-front concert that raised money and attention for the Magee-Women’s Research Institute in Pittsburgh, the largest research facility in the country devoted exclusively to life-saving health research for women.

The Vindys, that great Youngstown band that I always rave about, brought the fourth annual Women Who Rock concert to life in an outstanding way. The band’s vocal dynamo, Jackie Popovec, was a captivating stage presence as their soulful, rocking bandmates kept the pace brisk with a string of winning originals and a brilliant cover of Hearts’ “Crazy on You”.

Lauren Monroe with hand percussion, acoustic guitar and vocals, together with husband Rick Allen (Def Leppard’s drummer) brought an earthy atmosphere and a cool cover version of the 70s jewel “Love is Alive” by Gary Wright.

“The Queen of Percussion” Sheila E. gave an inspiring speech when she received the Women Who Rock Impact Award. A representative from Gibson Guitar spoke about promoting the concert, which also encourages young women to pursue their musical interests.

Women Who Rock headliner Rita Wilson, proved she has a Nashville heart amid her Hollywood tradition, singing personable country pop / rock originals, including one she wrote and that of Connie Britton in ABCs primetime music soap opera “Nashville” was sung.

Women Who Rock raised the bar for concert fundraising with a silent auction of a pink guitar signed by Taylor Swift and a trip for eight to Tuscany, Italy.

Jergel’s host guitar ace:22 year old Christone ‘Kingfish’ Ingram speaks to Jergel’s tour

Cheap Trick goes to Greensburg:Cheap trick to spoil fans with the Palace Show; Guitarist invites mayor of Pittsburgh

More here:Rich Harper rocks The Confluence; Celebrated Yacht Rock in Beaver Falls

Scott Tady is the local entertainment reporter for The Beaver County Times and Ellwood City Ledger. He can be easily reached at stady@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @scotttady