Tribute bands are thriving on Long Island: Meet the acts channeling U2, Beatles, The Who, Taylor Swift and more

John Ricotta, of Lindenhurst, spends his days working in magazine publishing but at night he dons a curly black wig, sunglasses, leather jacket and top hat to transform into Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash. The 47-year-old axman plays lead in Appetite for Destruction, a GNR tribute band, which has regularly headlined The Paramount in Huntington for the past seven years.

"People have their hobbies, this is ours," says Ricotta. "Guns N’ Roses is our favorite band. This has always been a passion project for us. It’s an honor just to be able to play their music."

Tribute bands have become the go-to form of live entertainment for clubs, theaters, performing arts centers and outdoor festivals on Long Island. Over the years they have gained momentum thanks to an increase in quality musicianship, which has elevated them to headlining acts. Crowd reaction has gone from eyeball-rolling to eyebrow-raising. Many bands now have their own fan bases.

"Tribute bands are the future of the business," says local concert promoter Brian Rosenberg, of Garden City. "It’s a credit to the original artists who created such greatness that people are willing to hear a cover version because they love their music so much."

(Click on the links to see videos of tribute bands performing.)

So what is a tribute band?: Meet 1964 The Tribute

Tribute bands are not your typical groups playing covers. Rather, they zone in on the music catalog of one specific band. For the past 40 years the Beatles tribute band, 1964 The Tribute, has focused on the Fab Four's concert years playing the songs from their first seven albums.

"How cool is it that after all this time you can go hear someone play just the music of the band you love?" says founder-singer-guitarist Mark Benson, who returns with the group to The Paramount on Sept. 20. "Before the tribute band industry, you had bar bands just playing nothing but hits; now it’s specific to what people like."

Tribute band fan Tom Czajkowski, 62, of Plainview adds, "Tribute bands have a certain passion for the music that the fans connect with. You can’t play the music properly without fully loving it."

These acts allow fans to relive the concert experience they had back in the day.

"I’ve seen the Eagles, Paul McCartney, The Who, the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. I don’t need to see them again because I get to enjoy their music through tribute bands," says Linda Kopsick, 65, of Malverne. "They not only pay tribute to the bands they personify, but they also pay tribute to the fans who want to enjoy the live music of these iconic bands. Sometimes they can’t because their lead singers are gone or the concerts are too expensive and too infrequent."

Familiarity breeds fandom: ZBTB

Because concertgoers are already familiar with the material, the bands have a ready-made audience.

Thirteen years ago, singer-guitarist Peter Frank put together ZBTB — the Zac Brown Tribute Band, which regularly headlines Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall in Wantagh to packed crowds. He originally played in a band called The Jonez, which banged out a mix of originals and covers with little success.

"We played to the same 30 or 40 people every time we gigged. That went on for seven or eight years until I smartened up," recalls Frank, 49. "I love the idea of a tribute band from a marketing perspective because people know what they’re getting. They can go see a tribute band and have a much more intimate experience than they can with the big bands. It’s not the real guy, but it’s pretty close and they get to hear the music that they love with their friends for an affordable price."

 Fan Tony Liuzzi, 63, of Seaford, admits, "We are all creatures of habit that get used to the music we like to hear. The tribute bands provide both price and convenience between the free shows in the summer and the reasonable prices at local venues."

Cost, convenience drive popularity: Let's Sing Taylor

 Ticket prices and accessibility are the significant factors in the success of tribute bands.

"If you buy an arena ticket for $150, then it ends up costing over $200 with the ticket fees. That’s ridiculous," says Rick Cappiello, talent buyer-production manager of Mulcahy’s. "You can see a tribute band for $10-$40 per ticket and get an authentic music experience without having to travel to an arena or stadium."

Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour" played three nights at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last year with tickets ranging from the high hundreds into the thousands. However, Swifties were able to catch tribute act, Let’s Sing Taylor at The Paramount in Huntington for $38.75.

"Let’s Sing Taylor hit at exactly the right time because Taylor Swift was at her absolute peak," says Krystin Banko, The Paramount's booking manager. "They sold out six shows and they are coming back."

Peg Morrison, 65, of Holbrook, is a die-hard Pink Floyd fan. She would like to go see Floyd guitarist David Gilmour when he comes to Madison Square Garden for a five-night stand in November, but ticket prices are stopping her.

"I can’t afford to go see him. It’s just too much money. His prices are completely out of control," she says. "I’m on a limited budget so I’ll go see these tribute bands locally like Brit Floyd, Aussie Floyd or the Machine at an affordable price. They all put on a great theatrical show. At this point, I’m just here for the music."

They have the look: Who's Next, Unforgettable Fire, The Heart of Rock and Roll

Tribute bands come in all different styles. Some not only perform the band’s music but they also physically emulate their look as well.

Who’s Next guitarist Bill Canell, 56, of Mineola, goes as far as to match Pete Townshend of The Who’s outfits, moves and vintage equipment when he performs.

"In order to do a tribute properly, you have to have all components," says Canell. "If you never got to see The Who in their heyday, we bring back the sound, the look, the act and the attitude. It’s a full package. You have to sell it to the fans."

Paramount regular Anthony Russo, lead singer of U2 tribute, Unforgettable Fire, resembles Bono both physically and vocally.

"I make sure to wear the correct sunglasses, the proper jacket and accurate hairstyle. It really goes along the way," says Russo, 57. "People are paying to be entertained. If you’re not going to give them what they think they are going to see, then they are going to feel ripped off."

Singer Roger Langdon wears the classic red suit, black T-shirt and Wayfarer sunglasses on stage when he fronts Huey Lewis & the News tribute band, The Heart of Rock and Roll, a newcomer to The Paramount.

"My goal was to make sure that there was no element of our show that’s cheesy," says Langdon, 57. "I want people to say, ‘Wow, that dude really looks and sounds like Huey.’ I grew out my hair, lost some weight and learned how to play the harmonica."

Tribute fan Vita Capelluto, of Commack, says, "I think when the bands dress up it makes it more fun and adds to the whole experience."

Focusing on a band's sound: Echoes of the Eagles

Other tribute bands are strictly sound-focused like Seconds Out, a Genesis tribute which covers both the band's Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins eras.

"We are a tribute to the music, but don’t exactly copy what they did," says drummer Frank Carfora, 60, of Huntington Station. "Our focus is to get the music right as well as we can."

Echoes of the Eagles zeros in on duplicating the vocal blend of the Eagles.

"Our harmonies are on point with all the nuances of their vocals," says bassist-vocalist Kevin Hawkins, of New Hyde Park, who is in his 50s. "Everyone in the band sings, so you get a full-on vocal experience."

Family tributes: Dweezil Zappa, Allman Betts Family Revival

Some tributes are blood-related like when Devon Allman and Duane Betts, sons of the late Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts of the Allman Brothers, front the Allman Betts Family Revival, which comes to The Paramount on Dec. 8. Meanwhile, Dweezil Zappa, son of the late singer-guitarist Frank Zappa, will play songs from his father’s classic albums, "Apostrophe (')" and "Roxy & Elsewhere" on Aug. 30 at The Paramount.

"After my dad passed away, it was pretty obvious that most of his finest work was undiscovered," says Zappa, 54. "What I wanted to do was create a curated concert that would give people a chance to hear or get exposed to a broader menu of what he did and explore his catalog because he made so much music."

Paying tribute to early 2000s bands: Decoded, Brightside

These days, tribute bands are not just limited to super groups. Bands from the early 2000s are now getting the tribute treatment.

"The new tribute bands are more impressive than the past," says Banko. "They take it seriously coming out with strong performances and a full production."

Decoded and Brightside dive into the alternative rock of the early 2000s with tributes to Paramore and the Killers, respectively.

"Hayley Williams is such a powerful leading woman — a total ball of energy," says Decoded lead singer Jocelyn Manginelli, 23, of Port Jefferson, who wears an orange wig, incorporates glitter, rhinestones and high boots in her stage fashion to evoke Williams. "I do a lot of cardio and eat right to prepare. She’s a lot to live up to."

Brightside vocalist Stephen Vegas, of Wantagh, works hard on capturing the nuance of the Killers’ material.

"The Killers put on a big show and to reproduce that is no small accomplishment," says Vegas. "We have a very interactive live show. I’m aggressive about getting audience participation."

Raising the dead: Crystal Ship, Almost Queen, Who's Bad

Perhaps the biggest task a tribute band can take on is representing the spirit and soul of a beloved dead icon.

Eddie Racci, who is originally from Williston Park, assumes the Jim Morrison role in the Doors tribute band Crystal Ship. He wears custom leather pants, a contra belt, flowy shirt and beaded necklace.

"It’s like a Broadway show. I feel as if I’m playing a role," says Racci, 58. "The combination of acting and singing makes the crowd enjoy it more."

Meanwhile, Who's Bad, playing The Paramount on Aug. 23, focuses on recreating the "Bad" and "Dangerous" tours from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

"When Michael died in 2009, things really blew up. The demand became insane two weeks before his shows in London were supposed to happen at the O2 Arena," says owner-manager Vamsi Tadepalli. "There was a huge void left and a strong desire to hear his music. We were just fortunate to be there."

Long Island’s most popular tribute band by far is Almost Queen, starring Joe Russo, brother of Anthony Russo from Unforgettable Fire, in the Freddie Mercury role.

"No one can be Freddie. I’m the first to admit it but we aim to impress. We wouldn’t do it if we didn’t think we could do it justice," he says. "It’s in the look, mannerism and even the way you sound out the vowels. I’ve been studying old tapes of Freddie for years."

Almost Queen has moved up the tribute band ranks to headlining venues like Flagstar at Westbury Music Fair, Mulcahy’s and The Paramount.

"The guy from Almost Queen has a pristine voice," says Capelluto, who has tickets to see the band on Nov. 9 at Westbury Music Fair. "I first saw them at Tanner Park years ago and it was so packed you couldn’t even park your car."

Cappiello adds, "Almost Queen is a phenomenon. I think Joe sounds more authentic than Adam Lambert who currently fronts Queen. In fact, I believe Almost Queen is a better show. I get the chills when they play because they nail it every time."

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.