Buffalo Rising Online

Sep 30th, 7:07am By buffalorising

For the past 25 years, the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame has inducted those local performers who have had a significant impact on the WNY music scene and/or had success in the music industry on a national and sometimes international scale. Since 1983, it has seen some major contributors to the music world join their ranks and this year will be no different.

Held at the Tralf, previous inductees will be in attendance to honor the new Class of 2008 and in some cases, do the inducting. This yearly gala won’t just celebrate music; there will also be musical performances. Van Taylor, Joe Rozler and Bob James, Gretchen Schulz, Dave Schulz and Robert Schulz, Jerry Livingston with Dave, Gretchen and Robert, Ed Bentley, and The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame band - Willie and The Reinhardts – will all be on hand to play their hearts out as they recognize the achievement of their peers.

Tickets are only $20 and can be purchased at the Tralf Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, or charge by phone at 852-5000. You can visit the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame’s website for more information.
Below is a list of this year’s Class of 2008:
+Ed Bentley: Rockabilly music performer, Inductee/National Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
+Bob James: Songwriter guitarist/singer, local music producer and educator.
+Richard Kermode: 1970s keyboardist for Janis Joplin (posthumous award).
+Jerry Livingston: National Recording Artist with: Miki Howard Atlantic records, Stephanie Mills – MCA Records, Liberty Silvers RCA Records/BMG and Billy Phillips/MCA Records and he recorded 5 albums, 2 of them Gold, with Rick James on Motown Records. Jerry is also a local Jazz Bassist.
+Tom Reinhardt: Local rock and blues bassist.
+Joe Rozler: Internationally sought after keyboardist.
+Schulz Family: Generations of great musicians represented in one of Buffalo's premier musical families.
+Joanie Sommers: 1960s radio star and "Pepsi Girl."

Lifetime Achievement Inductee:
+Jimmy Sacca: Lead Singer of the world famous Hilltoppers – national vocal group from the 1950s and 1960s.

Non-performing Inductees:
+Mack Luchey: Buffalo music store owner and promoter of Buffalo music.
+Anthony Marchese: Synthesizer pioneer.
+Richard Sargent: Local record producer.