Melissa Etheridge, Mary J. Blige, 21 more great concerts this spring on Long Island
Melissa Etheridge plays The Paramount in Huntington on April 8. Credit: Getty Images for The Recording A/Emma McIntyre
When Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom takes the stage at My Father’s Place in Roslyn on April 15, he might get struck with a feeling of déjà vu. At age 17, the Massapequa native, along with fellow Stray Cats band member bassist Lee Rocker, opened for Squeeze during the summer of 1978 in their high school band, Shylock.
"We played new wave mixed with the blues and Lee’s sister Roseanne was our lead singer," says Phantom, 64. "Our group had a Pat Benatar/Fleetwood Mac kind of sound."
When he returns to Long Island, Phantom plans on making a few important stops.
"I’ve got to hit up All-American," he says about the famous drive-in burger joint. "I’m a Massapequa boy and it’s on my street where I used to live. Hopefully, I’ll even have time to drive by my old house."
Phantom’s show is one of several concerts that are set to kick off the spring season. Here are 23 not to miss.
LOUDER THAN LOVE
Judy Torres is one of the performers at the "Louder Than Love" freestyle fest. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Join the Freestyle fest, "Louder Than Love" featuring TKA, Judy Torres, Cynthia, Johnny O, the Cover Girls and Sweet Sensation at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on April 5.
MORE INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
COST $40-$170.50
JASON SCHEFF/TOMMY DECARLO
Come hear the hits of Chicago from Jason Scheff and Boston by Tommy DeCarlo when these lead singers of classic rock hit the stage at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at LIU Post in Greenvale on April 5.
MORE INFO 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org
COST $50.20-$98.80
THE WALLFLOWERS
Turn the clock back to the ‘90s as Jakob Dylan is back with his band The Wallflowers at The Paramount in Huntington on April 6.
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COST $38.75-$230.10
MELISSA ETHERIDGE
She's the only one: Melissa Etheridge will play Huntington's Paramount. Credit: Getty Images/Roy Rochlin
Singer/songwriter Melissa Etheridge returns to The Paramount in Huntington on April 8 for her 2025 spring tour before she heads back to the studio to record a new album.
"I will play all the hits everybody knows and loves as well as some deep cuts plus possibly a new tune," says Etheridge, 63. "I’m so grateful to have songs that everyone in the crowd jumps on their feet for. It’s a blessing."
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COST $132.25-$307.40
JOAN OSBORNE
Witness singer Joan Osborne as she sings the songs of Bob Dylan at the Landmark on Main Street-Jeanne Rimsky Theater in Port Washington on April 11.
"Bob Dylan has been a major influence on everyone’s music. It’s hard to escape what his work did to change the whole landscape," says Osborne, 62. "His material is topical and political, but he uses these mythological characters and situations where it doesn’t feel dated at all."
MORE INFO 516-767-6444, landmarkonmainstreet.org
COST $54.66-$190.31
MARY J. BLIGE
Nine-time Grammy winner Mary J. Blige brings her "For My Fans Tour" to UBS Arena. Credit: Getty Images for Gabrielle's Ang/Dimitrios Kambouris
The "Queen of Hip-hop Soul" delivers on her "For My Fans Tour," which hits UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on April 11. Ne-Yo and Mario serve as support acts.
MORE INFO 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
COST $71.15-$678.50
THE ROBERT CRAY BAND
Blues axman Cray ("Smoking Gun," "Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark") makes a stop on his "Out Driving Around Tour" at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on April 12.
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $43-$156
WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW
Todd Rundgren and Wendy Moten of "The Voice," under the direction of arranger Rob Shirakbari, pay tribute to legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on April 13.
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $56-$260
SLIM JIM PHANTOM
Massapequa native Slim Jim Phantom says he hopes to stop by the iconic All American Hamburger Drive-in during his time back on Long Island. Credit: Getty Images/Erik Voake
Flying solo in a trio with his wife/bassist Jennie Vee and guitarist Jimmy Dale Richardson, drummer/singer Phantom will rock My Father’s Place in Roslyn on April 15.
"We’re going to do all the Stray Cats hits and some favorites from my rock and roll heroes like Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent and Johnny Burnette," says Phantom. "The rockabilly types need an excuse to go out whether it’s a car show or a concert. They like to rally, especially on Long Island."
MORE INFO 516-580-0887, mfpproductions.com
COST $38
RICK WAKEMAN
The former Yes keyboardist brings his "Final Solo Tour" to The Paramount on April 16.
"This is the last of my one-man shows. It’s the end of an era," says Wakeman, 75, who suffers from arthritis. "I’ll be doing songs I recorded with David Bowie, Cat Stevens as well as a 22-minute piece called ‘Yessonata,’ which is made up of 30 snippets of Yes music that I’ve been involved with over the years. These are all my musical steppingstones throughout my career."
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COST $45.25-$135.10
LINDA EDER
The Broadway star ("Jekyll & Hyde") will croon some standards and charm the crowd at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on April 18.
"I have a very relaxed rapport with the audience. It’s as if you are in my living room," says Eder, 64. "I want people to feel. That’s what they come to music for. They hope to get something visceral back — maybe cry, maybe laugh. Just feel something."
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $56-$96
BETH HART
Pianist/vocalist Hart is ready to pour her heart out on songs from her latest album, "You Still Got Me" at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on April 22.
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $70-$100
ACE FREHLEY
The former KISS guitarist plans on taking Long Islanders on a "Rocket Ride" at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on May 1.
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $46-$106
MARILYN MANSON
Marilyn Manson returns to The Paramount, scene of a controversial performance in 2018. Credit: Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP/Rob Grabowski
Marilyn Manson returns to Long Island for a show on May 6 at The Paramount. The king of creepy is supporting his latest effort, "One Assassination Under God — Chapter 1."
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COST SOLD OUT (check for last minute availability)
THE NELSONS
Twin brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson of the ’90s group Nelson perform their own songs and the hits of their late father, Ricky Nelson, on his 85th birthday at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on May 8.
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $43-$86
GENE SIMMONS BAND
On his own: KISS' Gene Simmons now leads his own band. Credit: Hannah Foslien
KISS may be retired but the "God of Thunder," bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, forges on with his solo band at The Paramount on May 9.
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COST $109.75-$303.85
HERMAN’S HERMITS
Former teen idol Peter Noone cranks up the nostalgia when he fronts Herman’s Hermits ("I’m Into Something Good") at The Suffolk in Riverhead on May 9.
MORE INFO 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
COST $70-$121
LAKE STREET DIVE
From Brooklyn to Huntington: Keyboardist Akie Bermiss, left, and singer Rachael Price of Lake Street Dive are playing The Paramount. Credit: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/Andy Kropa
The Brooklyn-based fivesome will deliver its signature blend of soul, folk, rock and pop at the Paramount on May 13. The band is currently supporting its Grammy-nominated 6th studio album, "Good Together."
MORE INFO 631-673-7300, paramountny.com
COST $215.35-$368.75
JON ANDERSON & THE BAND GEEKS
The former Yes frontman will be backed by The Band Geeks at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on May 16.
"These guys copy Yes’ music from the ’70s note-for-note. It’s magical for me to hear them play these songs that I know inside out," says Anderson, 80. "Music is a great healer. I want people to leave my show with a feeling of oneness and that there’s light at the end of the tunnel."
MORE INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
COST $41.75-$206.50
KANE BROWN
Kane Brown takes the "High Road" to the UBS Arena. Credit: Getty Images for iHeartRadio/Rick Kern
Hear hits "One Thing Right," "Miles on It" and "What Ifs" when country singer Kane Brown’s "The High Road Tour" pulls into UBS Arena on May 16. Mitchell Tenpenny and Ashley Cooke open the show.
MORE INFO 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com
COST $58.25-$449.60
FOGHAT
Foghat members Roger Earl, on drums, left, Scott Holt, Rodney O'Quinn and Bryan Bassett are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their biggest hit. Credit: Getty Images/Stephen J. Cohen
Long Island transplant band Foghat will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its signature hit, "Slow Ride" at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on May 17.
"The song initially didn’t chart that high. But it’s constantly been played on classic rock radio for the last 50 years," says drummer Roger Earl, 78. "It came from a jam. Our original guitarist Rob Price had a house out in Rocky Point and we soundproofed the basement. Singer Lonesome Dave Peverett had the words and bassist Nick Jameson arranged the song."
MORE INFO 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org
COST $43-$90
G.E. SMITH & THE AMERICAN BLUES
Former "Saturday Night Live" band leader/guitarist Smith, who resides in Amagansett, drops by The Suffolk on May 17 with his American Blues Series featuring Albert Lee.
MORE INFO 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
COST $50-$70
ZEBRA
Zebra will mark a milestone anniversary. "We're playing more than we have in 30 years," says singer/guitarist Randy Jackson. center. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame band Zebra is preparing to host a 50th anniversary show at Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair on May 17.
"We’re playing more now than we have in 30 years," says lead guitarist/vocalist Randy Jackson, 70. "There will be fans present who have been with us for a long time, therefore we want to give them a walk down memory lane."
MORE INFO 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com
COST $48-$132.75
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
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