Although frequently overlooked, there is quite a roster of musicians and bands from Buffalo Niagara that either had a significant impact on the music scene of their time or continue to affect it to this very day.
by Max Fisher
Unbeknownst to the uninitiated, many big-name musicians have called Buffalo Niagara home
It Comes As No Surprise
When you think of cultural hubs for music that have long and reverberating effects on music as a whole, what cities come to mind? Memphis, where Elvis made the first hits that set him down the path of being the first true modern pop star? Seattle, for the grunge explosion that made it cool for everyone to be angsty teenagers again (eventually, it stops smelling like teen spirit and starts smelling like it’s time to move on). Or New York, which has had so many musical movements from jazz in Harlem in the 20s, to New Wave in the early 80s, to the hip hop explosion in the 90s (among many others)?
But have you ever wondered about Buffalo Niagara’s contributions to the great musical canon?
Although frequently overlooked, there is quite a roster of musicians and bands from Buffalo Niagara that either had a significant impact on the music scene of their time or continue to affect it to this very day. Since everyone who’s not from the area seems like they’d rather jump off a bridge than admit any worthwhile musical talent has emerged from here, let’s spotlight some of the most important artists and bands from the area and show those who don’t believe Buffalo Niagara to be a cultural hub for music just how wrong they are!
Rick james
Rick James, of Chapelle’s Show fame
Let’s start it off right with none other than Rick James. Yea, yea, yea, I know the Chapelle’s Show’s iconic skit everyone knows and loves. Truthfully, through a combination of drugs, poor decisions, and comedic genius, the skit has completely overshadowed Mr. James, which is a shame because, despite all the crazy stories you hear about the man, he was a great musician who was very respected in musical circles. A signee of the legendary Motown Records, he was a pioneer bringing raunchy R&B songs to the mainstream with such Classic as “Give It To Me Baby”, “Mary Jane”and “Super Freak”, which McHammer sampled for his 1991 super smash“Can’t Touch This”, and gave James the only Grammy of his career.
Besides having an illustrious career that continued right up until he died in 2004, James also had a successful career as a songwriter and producer for other artists, including Teena Marie, the Mary Jane Girls, The Temptations, Eddie Murphy, and Smokey Robinson. Rick James will sadly always be foreshadowed by the wild life he lived, but for those not put off by what they see on the surface and are willing to dig deeper, they will find an incredibly talented, hard-working musician with plenty to offer.
goo goo dolls
He doesn’t want the world to see him
Humor me for a moment, would you? Pretend like it’s the late 90s early 2000s again? What’s arguably the hottest alternative rock band on the planet? Well, judging by the ringtone on my cell phone (remember, this is the ringtone era, so I’m being really cool), I’d have to say The Goo Goo Dolls! During this time, these guys were on one hell of a hot streak! Where talking hit after hit like“Slide”,“Iris” and “Black Balloon”, and chart-topping albums like Dizzy Up the Girl. Add a Grammy to the mix, and you can start to understand why they were considered one of the quintessential bands of their era and how many in the city still hold them in such high regard. Not bad for a local band, huh?
Griselda
Buffalo Kids, Griselda: Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn and Conway the Machine (from left). Credit: Universal Music
Buffalo Niagara has never been known for the rappers that call it home, that is until Griselda came on the scene—consisting of Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Westside Gunn. These three don’t so much as rap as they paint vivid pictures of the hardships of city life. Hip hop has always had a journalistic aspect to it, and if that’s the truth, then these three are something like the Walter Cronkite of the streets of Buffalo. And as such, their music may come up as crass or offensive to some, but in a genre like Hip Hop, where authenticity is cherished, these guys are telling their story without pulling any punches, which is what good journalism is supposed to do. Open your eyes to things you may be ignorant to so open dialogue can be established and move freely.
lance diamond
Lance Diamond
Lance Diamond, a true hometown staple if there ever was one. Diamond’s career spanned over 40 years. Deemed Buffalo’s “best individual vocalist,” “king of charisma,” and best “genre-defying act” by Buffalo’s ARTVOICE, he collaborated on songs with The Goo Goo Dolls and also had an illustrious career as a radio host.
brian mcknight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight, one of the undisputed kings of R&B, is indeed from Buffalo! Known for his strong falsetto and wide range, McKnight has been making impactful slow jams and ballads since the late 80s. His first album, Back To One, sold over three million copies. He was an artist with true staying power. If by chance you haven’t heard of him, ask your parents.
Patrick Cowley
Patrick Cowley with Sylvester
Patrick Cowley, known for his contributions to disco and Hi-NRG, was a composer and innovator. He is also recognized as being a pioneer in electronic dance music. His hits include Menergy, a tribute to the gay club scene of the 80s, as well as and “Megatron Man,” which hit #1 and #2 respectively on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the early 1980s.
Alexis Spight
Alexis Spight. Photo by Amy Mckie
Alexis Spight, runner-up on season five of the BET singing competition, Sunday Best. She is known as a gospel singer with a powerfully engaging voice. Her 2012 single Imagine Me was on the Hot Gospel Songs Chart, and her first album, 2013 L.O.L landed on the 200 Gospel Albums as well as getting a place on the independent charts as well.
sam noto
Sam Noto
Sam Noto, a journeyman of a trumpeter, has made steady contributions to the Jazz genre for over 50 years, known for his collaborations with Stan Kenton, among others. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more seasoned musician.
We’re More Than Rick James, B****
Buffalo Niagara has never been at the forefront of a musical movement, but that’s not to say that it didn’t make valuable contributions to existing movements. From Rick James’s colorful personality and uniquely raunchy R&B that both disturbed and delighted listeners because of its new take on an old formula (R&B has always had sexual undertones, James just pushed them to the forefront and supercharged them). Making him a household name way before he was the butt of countless jokes, to the Goo Goo Dolls dominating a blend of melancholic lyrics and pop melodies which made them a chart-topping juggernaut in their heyday (and made numerous teenage girls question their boyfriends about why they didn’t write a song like Iris for them), and a constant source of pride and joy for the city and the region to this very day.
And in terms of fresh faces (I’m speaking in relative terms, these guys have been putting in quality work for a while now). You can’t go wrong with Griselda, whose lyrical ability of each member is of the highest caliber, not to mention the excellent beat selection found on all their projects. If you want further proof that Griselda is carrying Buffalo on its back musically at the moment, how many hometown artists get to play the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon?
So don’t let anyone tell you “all Buffalonians have ever had musically was Rick James”. Don’t get mad at this person because they’re just ignorant to the facts. They don’t know that this area has been a host to great talent in the past and undoubtedly great talent in the future. Sometimes the best way to shake someone out of their ignorance is to shock them and let’s just say Buffalo Niagara has enough surprises and mainstays in its repertoire.
It’s hard to stay ignorant for long.
Musicians & Bands from Buffalo Niagara
10,000 Maniacs
Rock
Adolph Deutsch
Composer
Akir
Rapper
Al Copley
Blues
Alexis Spight
Gospel
Andy Kulberg
Rock
Ani DiFranco
Singer/Songwriter
Aqueous
Jam Band
Benny the Butcher
Rapper
Billy Sheehan
Rock
Bobby Militello
Jazz
Bobby Previte
Session Musician
Brian McKnight
R&B
Buffalo Bills
Barbershop Quartet
Cannibal Corpse
Metal
Carlena Williams
Singer
Carol Wincenc
Classical Music
Charles Gayle
Jazz
Chauncey Morehouse
Jazz
Christina Courtin
Singer/Songwriter
Chuckie Campbell
Rapper
Conway the Machine
Rapper
Cory Wells
Three Dog Night (Lead Vocals)
Cute Is What We Aim For
Rock
Danimal Cannon
Chiptune
Dave Schulz
Producer
David Fridmann
Producer
David Lucas
Producer
David Shire
Composer
Dodo Greene
Jazz
Don Menza
Jazz
Donnie Elbert
Soul
Dr. Dirty John Valby
Comedy Rock
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Jazz
DW Drouillard
Singer/Songwriter
Ray Goetz
Composer
Edna Indermaur
Opera Singer
Elizabeth Swados
Composer
Emile Haynie
Producer
Eric Herman
Children’s Music
Every Time I Die
Metalcore
Florian-Ayala Fauna
Ambient
Frankie Dunlop
Jazz
Gary Baker
Songwriter
Gary Mallaber
Session Musician
Girlpope
Rock
Glen Benton
Metal
Goo Goo Dolls
Rock
Grabbitz
EDM
Green Jellÿ
Comedy Rock
Grover Washington Jr.
Jazz
Gurf Morlix
Singer/Songwriter
Handsome Jack
Rock
Harold Arlen
Composer
Harry B. Smith
Composer
Herbert Witherspoon
Opera Singer
It Dies Today
Metalcore
Jack Yellen
Lyricist
Jackdaw
Rock
Jackson C. Frank
Folk
Jason Vieaux
Classical music
Jim Hall
Jazz
Joanie Sommers
Pop
Joe Kraemer
Composer
Joe Public
R&B
Joey Giambra
Jazz
John Stevens
Pop
John Trivers
Singer/Songwriter
Johny Chow
Stone Sour
Jordan Kyle
Producer
Jud Strunk
Country
Juini Booth
Jazz
Julie Byrne
Singer/Songwriter
Julius Eastman
Composer
Kristen Pfaff
Hole
Lance Diamond
Lounge singer
Laura Aikin
Opera Singer
Lejaren Hiller
Composer
Lemuria
Indie Rock
Leonard Pennario
Composer
Lisa Kindred
Folk
Lou Courtney
Soul
Lucky Peterson
Blues, R&B
Lukas Foss
Composer
Marc Scibilia
Singer/Songwriter
Marcus Goldhaber
Jazz
Mel Lewis
Jazz
Mercury Rev
Indie Rock
Michael Angelakos
Passion Pit
Michael Pisaro
Composer
moe.
Jam Band
Morton Feldman
Composer
NicePeter
Comedy Rock
Nina Morgana
Opera Singer
Nino Tempo & April Stevens
Pop
Ookla the Mok
Filk
Pamela Z
Composer
Patrick Cowley
EDM
Patrick Wilson
Weezer (Drummer & Co-Founder)
Paul Moravec
Composer
Paul Siebel
Folk
Peter Case
Singer/Songwriter
Process & the Doo Rags
R&B
Raven
Rock
Ray Chamberlain
Jazz
Ray Henderson
Songwriter
Ray Kennedy
Country
Richard Ray Farrell
Blues
Rick James
R&B
Robert Kinkel
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Ronnie Foster
Jazz
Sam Noto
Jazz
Scary Chicken
Rock
Seth Horan
Rock
Sherrie Maricle
Jazz
Sidney Flanigan
Singer/Songwriter
Snapcase
Hardcore
Spyro Gyra
Jazz Fusion
Stacy Clark
Singer/Songwriter
Stan Szelest
Rock
STEMM
Metal
Steve Nathan
Session Musician
Stevie J
Producer
Terence Boylan
Singer/Songwriter
The Bunny the Bear
Hardcore
The Modernaires
Vocal Group
The Reign of Kindo
Indie Rock
The Road
Rock
Tina Parol
Singer/Songwriter
Tom Hambridge
Rock
Tommy Tedesco
The Wrecking Crew
Tony Terran
The Wrecking Crew
Venetta Fields
Singer
Vic Dana
Pop
Westside Gunn
Rapper
Willie Nile
Singer/Songwriter
Willis Conover
Jazz
What do you think of our list of musicians & bands from Buffalo Niagara? Know a musician or band from the area that we missed? Who on the list did you see live last? Let us know.
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