Westhampton Beach - Allen Willinsky, a resident of Manhattan and Quogue, presented The BBC Band "Time of the Season Concert" at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Saturday, October 17. This group of talented and charismatic musicians and vocalists encouraged attendees to let loose - and they did - singing along and dancing in the aisles - a great night for a great band and guests.

Band member Gary Astridge.

A longtime friend of some of the band members, Willinsky heard The BBC, dedicated to capturing the original sound of The Beatles, the British Invasion and other 1960s music, and decided to represent them and organized the WHBPAC concert.

Meet The BBC
Consisting of five members, all from Buffalo, NY the group includes Gary Astridge (drums); John Connelly (bass); Frank Grizanti (lead guitar); Russ Thomas (guitar); and Ned Wood (keyboard). Speaking with the band before their performance, each indicated their favorite Beatle: Thomas-Lennon, Connelly-McCartney, Wood-McCartney, Grizanti-Harrison, and the diplomatic Astridge who simply stated "I love all of them." All band members participate in vocals and play mulitple instruments. Also, Grizanti and Wood have both been inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame.

Given their enthusiam for the evening's performance, none of the members actually indicated how they occupy their time when not performing or rehearsing, but by the number of family and friends in the audience it was apparent that they should just keep playing forever. However, according to their website below is a little information about the lads:

Band member John Connelly.

Astridge is the band's percussive backbone and founding member of The BBC. His musical journey started after seeing The Beatles first U.S. performance in 1964. He has worked with Tom Calandra (Stan & the Ravens), and writes and records. In addition to The BBC, he has performed with Big Wheelie, The Be Bops, and BeatleMagic. He is also a collector of vintage drum kits like the ones used by Ringo Starr during his career with The Beatles.

Connelly founded the band Switch in the 1970s, and joined The BBC in 2003. He is the owner of a promotional company in Lancaster, NY.

Grizanti is the newest member of The BBC, having joined in 2007. He is also a recipient of the 2004 NCMMA Lifetime Achievement award for Guitar. From Niagara Falls, where he has been a popular guitarist having played with Oz, Slam, Zola, NRG, and the USA Band, he joined Weekend, and is also a member of The Falls Street Rockers and Anatara. A full-time musician he can be heard on recording projects for Ken Kaufman and John Valby.

Thomas joined The BBC in 2002. He is also the founding member of BeatleMagic, a band performing sets of Beatles music in full costume. Thomas works for DuPont in Research and Development.

Band member Frank Grizanti.

Wood is an original member of the local 1970s recording artists Weekend, and a songwriter. He has performed in some of Western New York's most popular bands, including Shiner and 33 West, and continues to perform with not only The BBC, but also with Weekend, BeatleMagic and Telepathic Driver.

The Really Big Show
This is without a doubt one of the best 'cover bands' currently playing and touring. The combination of the masterful musicianship, vocal range, and perhaps the maturity of the band members who all actually grew up in the 1960s, listening to The Beatles and other favorites from that important decade in music, combined for a show that was as professional as it was fun.

According to Connelly, "We have all known each other for years, and we started out just playing together on Monday nights after pizza and beer." Other band members chimed in, and as stated by Thomas "In particular, The Beatles probably had the greatest musical influence on all of us, and we enjoy playing their songs that span their entire career." Grizanti further commented "Their music and lyrics are emotional and aside from the fame of their careers it is really about the music and what that meant to all of us."

Band member Russ Thomas.

This common bond shared by each member of the band is evident in the obvious meticulous renditions both musically and vocally they present on stage to the absolute delight of their audience. A particular treat was the guitar solos of Grizanti - this is one very talented musician - whose solo licks on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" brought a few tears to the eyes of the audience - his skill is that good and that beautiful - Mr. Harrison would be proud.

Additionally, the vocal range of both Connelly and Thomas makes for some sweet listening, however, all members of this band multi-task and bring tremendous musicial ability to the stage. These band members are tight with each other and their followers. Willinsky, after introducing the band at the beginning of the evening, also announced his engagement, which created a great deal of excitement for friends and family members in the audience. Congratulations to all.

As it is important to this band, who has studied The Beatles recordings, thus allowing them to provide the most accurate musical presentation possible, it was equally exciting, as with all truly good musicians, to hear each band member put a signature spin on their respective instrument that only enhanced and never once altered or diminished the tunes they played.

Band member Ned Wood.

The charming repartee maintained by both Thomas and Connelly on stage really invited the audience in for an evening of perhaps forgotten but then happily remembered and well-loved songs that had many turning to each other and saying "I always loved that song" and "This is one of my favorites" bringing forth some raw emotions of both delight and maybe sadness for many who did live and come of age during the turbulent 1960s. The band creates an infectious energy, and is comfortable with a warm and sociable stage presence.

The BBC offers a wide range of not only Beatles tunes but other 'British Invasion' bands, displaying a tremendous command of each tune played on Saturday. Yet when they began to play "Twist And Shout" the aisles were packed with some who had not swung their hips that fast to this great tune in many years, and who could not have been happier. It was interesting to note the ages of those in attendance - young, old and in between - everyone was more than thrilled to strut their moves and exercise their vocal abilities. It was encouraging that sitting in front of myself were two young men no older than 20 who knew the lyrics to each and every song and sang along - indeed The BBC let everyone sing along - loud and strong.

On a miserably cold, rainy and windy Saturday night The BBC made everyone feel "Here Comes The Sun" was a possibility, and for a few hours reminded all just how timeless these tunes really are.

The BBC Band with the newly engaged Allen Willinsky in their dressing room before rockin' the stage at WPHBPAC.

The BBC Band is a blast and let's hope the East End welcomes this group back very, very soon, and thanks for the dedication fellas - never 'in my life' was I so pleased.

For more information contact Allen Willinsky at 212-338-9200, or go to www.thebbcband.com.