Sat 5/7 @ 8PM
The story of Youngstown trio Glass Harp is one of those “coulda shoulda woulda” things. While the question of why the Michael Stanley Band didn’t make it big has been bandied around for decades, the Harp seemed like a sure thing.
Guitarist Phil Keaggy, bassist Dan Pecchio, and drummer John Sferra released three major label albums in two years from 1970 through 1972, did some high-profile tours, and became one of northeast Ohio’s biggest drawing bands, noted for their intense but melodic hard-to-categorize music, marked by the effortless entwining of their three voices and Keaggy’s soaring virtuosic guitar.
After Keaggy’s departure in the summer of 1972, the group limped through another year with replacement musicians before disbanding — a virtual eyeblink lifespan compared to bands today — but never recaptured that magic.
Keaggy went on to a career in Christian music, Dan Pecchio joined the Michael Stanley Band, and Sferra played with many local bands and musicians and released a solo album. Occasionally, they’d play a little together, usually at one of Keaggy’s shows. But since a reunion at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 1997, the group has reassembled for complete shows, usually annually. And they’ve released one new studio album, as well as several live albums.
You can catch them this weekend at the Kent Stage where local fingerstyle acoustic guitarist Brian Henke will open. Tickets are $37.50-$50.
Kent, OH 44240