WNY 2012 Concert Guide-The Boss Kicks Off Amazing Concert Season

Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band tear it up April 13 at The First Niagara Center. Through four decades Bruce has been a cultural phenomenon, making him a hero of rock ‘n roll. The Show is sold out, but starting tomorrow you can win tickets from Jack FM. Just listen for us to play a Bruce Springsteen song then call 877-BUF-Jack to qualify.

Ani DiFranco returns to Buffalo April 22 to play her old classics at the Asbury Hall at Babeville. DiFranco was one of the first independent artists to own her own label, which has allowed her to large degree of creative freedom over the years. She started out playing Beatles covers at local bars at the tender age of nine. From there she went on to win an American Grammy Award and release more than 20 albums.

The Moody Blues will be playing some classics on April 21. Playing at the Seneca Niagara Casino. Sure to rock the hotel down, the Moody Blues have sold in excess of 70 million albums worldwide and have been awarded 14 platinum and gold discs.

Johnny Winter will be taking the stage on April 28 at Tralf Music Hall. His late 1960s and 1970s high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances literally shook the ground we very much walk upon. Winter also produced three Grammy award winning albums for blues legend Muddy Waters. Since his time with Waters, Johnny Winter has recorded several Grammy-nominated blues albums and continues to tour extensively. In 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and in 2003, he was ranked 74th in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”.

In 1980 Willi Nile released his self-titled debut album which according to one critic remains “one of the most thrilling post-Byrds folk-rock albums of all time”. On May 4 he returns to Tralf Music Hall to rock the house down. In 2006, Nile released Streets of New York, which some may consider to be his best work to date, due to its production and songwriting.

Colin Hay will be playing solo May 12 at Seneca Niagara Casino. Colin made his mark during the 1980′s as lead vocalist of the Australian band Men at Work, and later as a solo artist. Regarding his solo career, Hay stated, in 2011: “I feel like it’s been building for the last fifteen, or so, years that I’ve been touring”. Here’s your chance ladies and gentlemen. Colin Hay returning to the stage.

Come on down to Jamestown Savings Bank Arena on June 8 to see the infamous Boyz II Men perform. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. Boyz II Men would exceed even that record later in the decade with hits “I’ll Make Love to You” and “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey), which each exceeded records for the longest period of time a single remained at number 1.

Sting has received sixteen Grammy Awards for his work, receiving his first Grammy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1981, three Brit Awards winning Best British Male in 1994, a Golden Globe, an Emmy Award, and several Oscar nominations for Best Original Song. He is a member of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Soooo how can you miss this legendary performance from Sting this June 12 at Artpark Mainstage Theater.

Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band is Ringo Starr’s first official live album, recorded in 1989 during his successful comeback tour and released in 1990. It was also Starr’s first release of unheard material in seven years. Starr described himself as “your basic offbeat drummer with funny fills”, technically limited by being a left-handed person playing a right-handed kit. Come catch this bound to be legendary performance June 14 and 15 at Avalon Theater, Fallsville Casino Resort.

Roger Waters his "The Wall" tour back to First Niagara Center on June 21st at 8pm. Tickets range from $57.50 - $201.51.

The Beach Boys are back to fill our summer with Good Vibrations. Come check out the show June 29 at The Darien Lake Performing Arts Center. The Beach Boys have often been called “America’s Band”, they have 36 US top 40 hits (the most by an American rock band) and 56 hot 100 hits, including four number-one singles. Brian Wilson has been called a genius, and this tour marks the band’s 50th anniversary. As a bonus, it’s all the original members.

Dave Matthews will be gracing us with his presence this July. Check the band out on at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center the day before the 4th of July. You’re off the next day. So no excuses. According to Julian Bond, “they sell out the largest arenas on Earth, but frequently give their music away.” Come see them LIVE on July 3!

Iron Maiden's "Maiden England" tour rolls into Darien Lake Performing Arts Center on July 16th at 7:30pm.

Nickelback comes to Darien Lake along with Special guest Bush on July 25th at 6:30pm.

KISS and Motley Crue prepare to raise the roof this year! While the apparently never-retiring KISS (currently Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer) has toured in the past with fellow longhairs Poison (in 2003) and Skid Row (in 2001 for the, ahem, KISS “Farewell Tour”). KISS and Motley Crue did share a stage in 1982 for the “Creatures of the Night Tour,” when the Crue was in its infancy and KISS was dealing with the departure of Ace Frehley and arrival of Vinnie Vincent. Check this EPIC show on September 15th at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.