"THE QUALITY OF POPULAR MUSIC HAS BEEN GOING DOWNHILL IN RECENT YEARS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO BRING BACK THE GOOD BANDS." KEVIN BROWN, MEMBER OF MORE THAN A FEELING, A BOSTON TRIBUTE BAND
Jeremy Kiddle plays guitar for Boston tribute More Than a Feeling.
Dave Damm stars in a Neil Diamond tribute band. He says he "makes the crowd go wild"with cheesy remarks and poses.
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
Most groups' initial draw to impersonating a band is a love for the original. For some, just singing the songs is enough. For others, every note has to be perfect. Tim Owens, 29, is one of the perfectionists. An office supply traveling salesmen by day and Rob Halford impersonator in a Judas Priest tribute band by night. Owens is proof that the ultimate dream of a tribute band member can come true.
In 1993, the real Judas Priest decided to re-form and record another album, but their lead singer — the real Rob Halford — had left the band. This left them needing a new lead singer. A tape of one of Owens' performances was sent to the band by two Judas Priest fans and after a live audition, in which Owens sang only nine words of "Victim of Changes," he was offered the job. Before joining the band in London, Owens returned to his hometown of Akron, Ohio, where he signed his first autograph. The lucky recipients were his parents. It was a picture of him and the band and it read, "Mom and Dad, dreams do come true. I love you."
Owens, now known as Ripper Owens, recorded *Jugulator*, the band's first album of new material in seven years in 1997. He recorded one more studio album, two live albums and a DVD in 2002, before leaving the band to make way for their reunion with Halford. Owens soon became lead singer for another band, Iced Earth, and released an album with them in early 2004.
Matt Vianello thought of the idea to create a Boston tribute.
04. 27.2006 JAYPLAY <11