It was Dr. Joe Karpinski who gave Auburn's Blue Lights the green light to reunite.
As the band plays in Emerson Park for only the fourth time in 13 years, vocalist and percussionist Sam Giangreco encourages the crowd to thank Karpinski for organizing and funding the show. The elderly doctor can most likely be found on the dance floor.
“He loves for people to have a good time,” Giangreco said. “What he's doing is monumental.”
The free show will offer audiences a chance to enjoy a night of oldies and rock songs from the likes of Neil Diamond, KC and the Sunshine Band, Lionel Ritchie and Kool and the Gang. Giangreco feels the atmosphere invites anyone to dance, converse, sit or stand.
The Blue Lights - also featuring drummer Johnny Bertonica, lead guitarist Bob Spadafora, keyboardist Ron Garropy and bassist Mick Savino - were active for 33 years in the Auburn area and played frequently in Geneva, Ithaca, Rochester and Syracuse. At its high point in the 1980s, Giangreco said, the band would play a weekend itinerary of the old Auburn Inn, the Wood Acres on Grant Avenue and the Green Acres on State Street.
The rise of DJs narrowed the band's niche, however, and the members went their separate ways for more than a decade. When they first reunited “for the heck of it,” Giangreco said, Karpinski was in the audience. The delighted doctor offered to sponsor future shows. His generosity is contributing to a rock 'n' roll resurgence Giangreco is glad to see.
“Live music seems to be coming back,” he said. “You see a lot of it in Auburn.”
Five questions with Sam Giangreco, vocalist for the Blue Lights
Q: What is your favorite song to play live?
A: “Hello Again” Neil Diamond.
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: Three Dog Night.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what's the one album you would bring before any other?
A: Probably Andrea Bocelli. We don't do any of his stuff but that's who I like personally.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: The groups that used to play around here: the Cindells, Nick Gillette and Brian's Idols.
Q: What is the one venue you've always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: Uncle Sam's in Syracuse.
“He loves for people to have a good time,” Giangreco said. “What he's doing is monumental.”
The free show will offer audiences a chance to enjoy a night of oldies and rock songs from the likes of Neil Diamond, KC and the Sunshine Band, Lionel Ritchie and Kool and the Gang. Giangreco feels the atmosphere invites anyone to dance, converse, sit or stand.
The Blue Lights - also featuring drummer Johnny Bertonica, lead guitarist Bob Spadafora, keyboardist Ron Garropy and bassist Mick Savino - were active for 33 years in the Auburn area and played frequently in Geneva, Ithaca, Rochester and Syracuse. At its high point in the 1980s, Giangreco said, the band would play a weekend itinerary of the old Auburn Inn, the Wood Acres on Grant Avenue and the Green Acres on State Street.
The rise of DJs narrowed the band's niche, however, and the members went their separate ways for more than a decade. When they first reunited “for the heck of it,” Giangreco said, Karpinski was in the audience. The delighted doctor offered to sponsor future shows. His generosity is contributing to a rock 'n' roll resurgence Giangreco is glad to see.
“Live music seems to be coming back,” he said. “You see a lot of it in Auburn.”
Five questions with Sam Giangreco, vocalist for the Blue Lights
Q: What is your favorite song to play live?
A: “Hello Again” Neil Diamond.
Q: What is the first concert you remember seeing?
A: Three Dog Night.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what's the one album you would bring before any other?
A: Probably Andrea Bocelli. We don't do any of his stuff but that's who I like personally.
Q: Who are your biggest musical influences?
A: The groups that used to play around here: the Cindells, Nick Gillette and Brian's Idols.
Q: What is the one venue you've always wanted to play but never gotten a chance to?
A: Uncle Sam's in Syracuse.
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