B-52s are Officially Rockin’ the Knox This Year
Last year, Elvis Costello rocked the Albright Knox. This morning, director Louis Grachos announced that this year, The B-52s are officially the headliners for Rockin’ at the Knox 2008. Grachos is excited at the cross generation appeal of The B-52s and hopes that they will draw in a wide variety of fans.
Rockin’ at the Knox raises money to support the art gallery. This clash of art and music does a great job of bringing traffic into Buffalo from all over Western New York and even parts of Canada. Maria Scully-Morreale, the director of marketing at the Albright-Knox, added, “We intend to build the community, helping the new generations discover the Albright-Knox.”
Rockin’ at the Knox was a huge hit last year and it’s always one of the biggest parties of Buffalo. You know The B-52s from their catchy, dance-pop songs such as Rock Lobster and Love Shack, songs that have topped the American and European charts. The B-52s include vocalists Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson, supported by the voice of Fred Schneider, and on guitar is Keith Strickland.
There will be three stages at the event, a jazz stage in the Sculpture Garden, a local stage and the main stage. Although the local band lineup is still in talks, one can be sure that it will be a great show.
This year, Rockin’ at the Knox will be sponsored by M&T Bank and Independent Health. The media partners are Star 102.5 and 1077 The Lake. The bands will be rockin’ the Albright-Knox on Saturday, September 27th from 5PM until 11PM. Tickets for this event will be priced at $40 through Ticketmaster locations and also at the Albright-Knox, and $45 at the door, with proceeds to benefit the art museum. They will be available starting Saturday, August 2nd at 10AM. The concert will be held on the Elmwood side of the museum and it will happen, rain or shine. The concert sold out pretty quickly last year, so grab your tickets now.
The B-52s
Albright-Knox
September 27
5 - 11
What Others Have To Say
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Comment Options
sbrof
oh man, B-52's...
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manski
The Historical Society building would be a more appropriate location for The B-52's.
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sally
Gee Mr. Peabody how did you get the Albright-Knox into the way back machine. Talk about cutting edge - only 30 years too late.
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sally
"The concert sold out pretty quickly last year, so grab your tickets now. " don't worry I doubt that will be a problem this year.
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rubygreta
Already three negative posts. I suppose if the Beatles were playing they would be dismissed as yesterday's news by some of the ninnys who post here. Give me a break.
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oldwaiter
Maybe next year they can try to get REO Speedwagon! I hear that Boston is touring with Styx as well!
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PaulBuffalo
Rubygreta, I must agree. Since the B-52s released their latest album, they've played here in LosAngeles to good crowds in larger venues. (I think they're playing with the Police at Madison Square Garden in August.) KCRW, the west coast's most prominent new music station, featured the B-52s for a live music set fairly recently. Sometimes, Buffalo tries to be too hip for its own good.
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livesintheburbsworksinthecity
Well Ruby, it is kind of a step down from Wilco and Elvis Costello.
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lauras
Perhaps some of the openers will be more, er, contemporary bands. Personally, it sounds like a good time to me, but I don't know 50 Cent from the Jonas Brothers (but feel cool tossing around these names).
My only gripe is that I had to scan the brief article to find out the date of this event.
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sally
oldwaiter - sorry but REO is plaing a free show in Lockport on August 8th. Apparently the Lockport organizers turned down the B-52's - they didn't think a crowd would show up for even a free show by them.
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Hoss
I wouldn't call Elvis Costello cutting edge at any time in his 30 year carer.
Then last year, they went and hired Feist as an opening act. Between the time they signed her on, and the Knox show, her popularity exploded.
Something like Death Cab for Cutie, or The Brazilian Girls would be more to my taste, but I'll be going. The B52's are super fun.
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PaulBuffalo
Sally, that's not surprising: REO has a much older demographic. Lockport is a good venue for them.
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eliz
They did just put out an album that made it to #11. More than Costello could have ever said. Though I liked his show last year.
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WholeLottaJibbaJabbah
LOVER BOY 09-10 Rocking the Knox!
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bfloghost
Calm down everyone, it's a free show, just enjoy it. What? You have to pay? What, like a donation? $40!!! Well, maybe the AK can buy back some of their antiquities collection.
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PaulBuffalo
Billboard Magazine and the Grammy awards are poor barometers of quality.
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eliz
The point being that they have a new album out, apparently enjoyed by a fair amount of people. Anyway, I like them; they were always a fun band and I bet still are.
As for Rockin' costing; it always had a sizable price tag, even when there were no bands of any national stature whatsoever performing, just local groups, albeit good ones. It's a benefit.
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griz
bfloghost, you mean the antiquities that no one even knew AK had until they sold? Good riddance, you might as well get money for something that doesn't fit the collection and hadn't been missed for many years as it collected dust.
this will be a fun party band and people will have a good time. the money is for a charity so consider it as a $40 donation where you get a donor perk without giving in the $1000 range
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EricOak
Griz, There would not have been such a reaction to the AK's blowout sale if no one knew about those works. Many, many people knew those works and knew them well. If any works collected dust, it's because the AK was too stupid to show them--not because no one wanted to see some of the most beautiful and most valuable objects of their kind in the world. I hope the concert is a success.
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griz
AK has been and will be a gallery of modern and contemporary. What it auctioned off were antiquities that, mostly, were acquired through gifts and were not necessarily a good fit with the collection. If it weren't for a column by Tom Freudenheim, who was vehemently opposed to the sale, the auction would not of been more than a small blip on the radar.
Read this for an interesting piece about the auction, it changed my opinion when I first read it: http://artvoice.com/issues/v6n8/war_against_the_albright_knox
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smythie
Oh! Oh! How about Honeymoon Suite? I heard they're on tour. I mean, we SHOULD be thinking locally here, people. Please tell me this isn't too obscure of a reference. Anyhoo, I love the B-52's! They're a hoot and after a few brewskis you know you're going to be dancing around like a fool, whether you'll admit it now or not.
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Colin
I like the B-52s. But they're not even within shouting distance of Elvis Costello when it comes to critical acclaim, impact or importance.
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PaulBuffalo
Colin, you're right, but the B-52s generate fun. That's a good thing, too.
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oldwaiter
Hey, Peter Frampton is playing a FREE outdoor concert this Friday Aug. 1st at 7pm at Seneca Allegany Casino! He's another blast from the past! (and he stars in a Geico commercial!)
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galaxyjay
Peter Frampton is awesome
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smythie
Wah, WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH-WAH!!!
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PaulBuffalo
Griz, deaccessioning has not been limited to antiquities. A major deKooning painting was sold previously. Since deaccessioning is such a secret endeavor, who know what else was sold? Although the Albright's mission has been to acquire works of living artists, primarily American, the collection has encompassed much more. I agree with EricOak and am sad that antiquities were sold. I certainly enjoyed them.
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EmpireOfLight
Colin, Elvis Costello is for 80s-music-guru-wannabe's. I'll take Cindy and Kate harmonizing me into an emotional climax any day over his nasally dribble. B52's put out bonifrigginfied classics: Love Shack, Rock Lobster, the list goes on. What does Elvis got? Veronica?? Please. Go listen to your Elvis nose while you watch Elvis Stojko do the triple jump :))
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BFLORome
I don't know...it's beginning to feel a lot like 'Thursday in The Square'...I remember when 'Rockin'' was an upscale gig. Is this the only way to get younger people involved? As for the B-52s...campy at best. Dont' get me wrong...I like some of their 'deeper' cuts fro back in the day...but 'Funplex' is just another version of 'Love Shack.' I'd rather see a more refined event featuring a cutting edge artist or band who might actually give a shit about art and value what we have here.
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twgie
Very cool!!! Too bad those who comment dont know what they are about. You kids stay home, while we are out having a great time. The list also includes: Mesopotamia. Quiche Loraine, Private Idaho, so many great songs.....
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rb66
The B-52s put on a great show. The knox will be rockin'.
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impressingagent
lol, what where the aquabats already booked? The B-52s are the group that you hope nobody plays on the jukebox. i'm still pissed about my last experience at the knox and for some reason Grachos reminds me of frank reich.
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MRodgers
For those who despair over the choice, don't go. I can guarantee the place will sell out, and I'm not a big fan of the B-52s, but they're very entertaining and provide great energy. Definitley worth the price since it also benefits one of our attractions here in WNY. Common sense over elitism anyday.
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RobH
"They will be available starting Saturday, August 10th at 10AM."
August 10th is not a Saturday. Ticketmaster's site shows ticket availability as being Saturday August 2 at 10AM.
I'm looking forward to going, and I hope that indeed, it will be 'Rockin'. Elvis Costello last year would have been better described as 'serenading'.
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impressingagent
still trying to figure out the place for music in this realm of common sense and elitism. I know love shack was a real big hit at every school dance, so hopefully they can turn it into a profit. Ultimately your right, i never intended on going and unfortunately most of the music i listen to is dead(they would be fools to attract the music i like). This could be a good opportunity to preserve the past.
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benfranklin
I'm sure for this event the B-52's will be fine, but it should remind us how fortunate we were to get Elvis last year. Elvis remains King.
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300miles
This concert WILL sell out. AK will get charity money from it. People will have a lot of fun. So what's the problem?
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buffgayguy
How do you think the B-52's feel? They have been off the radar so long now that they are reduced to gigs like Buffalo, New York. Thursdays at the square is feeble at best, but even their line up even beats this.
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estreet
Quite the tour itinerary for the boys and girls who aren't even the best band in their neighborhood.
* MSG; Open for the Police (I saw Reflex do that once-anyone remember them)
* @Ross School benefit:
(@Ross Community ProgramsThe mission of @Ross Community Programs is to present a broad range of high quality learning opportunities for youth, adults and families of our community based on the School's philosophy of wellness of mind, body and spirit; to provide challenging creative and diverse programs that include the arts and sciences, media and technology, all in state-of-the-art facilities; to foster integrated thinking and innovative leadership; to engage fully in the global community and facilitate lifelong learning. )
*Rockin The Knox
I guess #11 on the charts isn't what it used to be.
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allfit
At least the people of Buffalo won't have to go out of their way to dress up in the late 80s style for this event. Too many Buffalonians are still sporting their late 80s hair style, carrot jeans, and spandex; the B52s might have trouble adjusting to the throw back.
I actually enjoyed the B52s when they first came out and recall a great show that they put on at Alumni Arena in 1990. I figure that if the New Kids on the Block can make a come back based on nostalgia, why can't the B52s. Right?
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smythie
allfit:
HAHAHAHHA!
Pardon my ignorance, what are carrot jeans? I have a feeling I am going to laugh really hard when I find out...
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icecreamsub
this is more like it.....I was fearing that Buffalo was starting to attract more current, interesting shows like the Wilco and Elvis shows of past...... What time does Outer Circle Orchestra hit the stage?
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bobo5467
I saw the B-52's about 8 years ago in New Jersey and while it was 8 years ago, they put on an amazing show. If you guys think that this group is only good for the tired, wedding reception hit "Love Shack" or the cliche'd commercial anthem, of "Roam" then save the eye-rolling for the onslaught of recent novice acts hitting the top 40 airwaves. The B-52's have established themselves as an innovative, revered rock group throughout the years and have since their 1979 debut. With that said, their self-titled debut is one of rock's best reviewed albums and should be in any music aficiando's collection. This is going to be the perfect ending to the summer.
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twgie
They just finished a US Tour on the TrueColors Tour. They rocked in Toronto and this is the most life Buffalo will see in a very long time.
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estreet
You had to remind us of the True Colors tour?
OK..
Rockin at The Knox is proud to present..
You've seen them play high school benefits and open for Cyndi Lauper!!!!!
There one of the top 5 bands from Athens, GA!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The B52's
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twgie
They didn't open for Cyndi Lauper. It was a tour of different bands that changed throughout. They committed to play with Cyndi because of what the tour stood for and who it benefited. Why be so critical and negative? There is no need to be so brash.
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bfloghost
Damn it griz, I always thought the mission of the AK was to collect antiquities & Norman Rockwell prints, thanks for the education! The comment was meant in jest, so as is often said here...lighten up.
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estreet
twgie-
If you play before another band, you are said to have "opened," for them. Rosie Odonnell "opened," for the B52's at the Toronto show. It is what it is...they were not the headliner....Cyndi Lauper was. If i was brach, I apologize, it is simply such a disappointment. The Wilco-My Morning Jacket bill will go down as one of the finest concerts to ever take place in Buffalo. Since then, the Knox has settled for Blondie and now the B52's (Elvis Costello was a nice get but perhaps the wrong tour for the venue). The folks at the knox would most likely admit to you that the B52's weren't one of their top choices but the clock was ticking............
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twgie
estreet
I am fully aware of what an opening act is :).. My point was that it was a multi band tour, that was put together for a cause. If your logic is correct then all the Aide tours (farm aid, AIDS aid, whatever) had only one headliner and the rest were washed up or newbies opening for the last band that played. I dont think Lilith fair was a Sarah Mclachlan concert even though she was the last one to play. It really doesnt matter. Music is individual taste. See, and I have never heard of Wilco or My morniing Jacket. Will have to look them up.
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Mushaboomer7
Its a fundraiser people. There will be music, art, and plenty of new faces to meet. I think its going to be a good time! Some folks just need to stop comparing them to the Knox's previous concerts and get over themselves. See you there!
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