Buffalo Music: Charity show will offer Led Zeppelin’s music in a variety of forms

By Charlie Bergeron

“Zeptember” — the name kind of rolls off the tongue; now the show this Saturday will give Buffalonians the opportunity to not only see some local Western New York bands put their own spin on the music of Led Zeppelin, but also to participate in a charitable cause. 

The Sportsmen’s Tavern will be hosting Zeptember at Sportsmen’s Park in collaboration with Buffalo classic rock station 97 Rock (WGRF), and proceeds will benefit the WNY Make-A-Wish foundation. 

“It’s Western New Yorkers helping Western New Yorkers,” said Tom Ragan, host of 97 Rock’s Shredd and Ragan. “Proceeds from your ticket will go towards helping a family fulfill a wish.”

Last year, Ragan helped organize a similar event with bands covering Rush which benefited St. Catherine’s Neil Peart Memorial, raising about $20,000 CAD. 

Laughing, Ragan recalled, “[The Rush event] was just before Rush decided to get together and start playing again, so we’ve been joking that maybe after Zeptember Led Zeppelin will get back together.” 

What seems to excite Ragan more than a speculative Led Zeppelin reunion, though, is the chance for people to see some Buffalo bands really funk up the iconic bands music.

“This year it’s about the best of Buffalo bands doing Led Zepplin. What I tell the bands is, ‘Do it in your own style’” said Ragan, “It doesn’t have to be a note for note copy. If it is, that’s great, but it doesn’t have to be. 

“Out on the Tiles is a note for note Led Zeppelin tribute band,” Ragan said, “They’re made out of some of the best musicians in town. And Big Black Zeppelin [Eric Crittenden] is insanely talented, and he’s ready to put on a show”

Another band on the bill, Part Time Genius, will, be doing a ska version of Led Zeppelin. 

“They’ve even got horns, it’s going to be awesome,” Ragan remarked. 

The concert will consist of eight bands, performing from 4 to 9 p.m.

If the sunny forecast for Saturday remains true, the bands will alternate from inside the Sportsmen’s Tavern to outside in Sportsmen’s Park, giving concert goers the opportunity for a change of scenery throughout the performances. 

Though planning the event has taken almost a full year, Ragan says, “Sportsmen’s has such a great reputation in town, they make it easy for everybody.

“In organizing an event like this, I’ve learned it’s a people game. you have to rely on a whole bunch of people to help you out.”

Ragan credits friends in the business for helping him put all of this together, namely those at Sportsmen’s as well as 97 Rocks Anita West. 

Along with the eight bands on the bill (Out on the Tiles, Tsavo Highway, Wilcox Mansion, Garden Party, Stomp Boxes, Big Black Zeppelin, Part-Time Genius, and Stairway to Nowhere), there will be volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

“They’re going to be talking about the impact that Make-A-Wish has on children in the community. The nice thing about it is that you’ll be able to engage with them all day long,” Ragan said.

Zeptember is also acting as a kickoff for 97 Rock’s yearly Make-A-Wish Radiothon event, where two full days of airtime is dedicated to fundraising for Make-A-Wish.

“Part of it [Make-A-Wish Radiothon] is learning about the families, the children who are helped, and hearing from doctors at the Children’s Hospital,” Ragan said, “They’ll talk about how the doctors can see the health benefits of these children having something to look forward to.”

General admission tickets may be purchased for $25. Additionally, VIP tickets are also available for $50. 

The remaining VIP tickets provide a drink ticket, access to special seating “and more.” The first 50 VIP tickets that were sold also included a special Make-A-Wish New Era hat.

Visit 97Rock.com to purchase your tickets in advance and learn more about Zeptember and the upcoming Make-A-Wish Radiothon. 

Charlie Bergeron is an intern with The Buffalo Hive and a senior at SUNY Fredonia.