Scotia Building Once Home to 5 Legends! You Won’t Believe Who Played Here!
Who doesn't love going to concerts? When I was a teenager my friends and I would "sleep out" for tickets, although little to no sleep was had. The ride to and from the venue, the bootleg t-shirt and even the music played between acts was all part of the excitement of going to a concert.
Today I still love going to shows but have learned that when you buy your tickets, you have purchased something that lasts a lifetime. You will always have your memories.
Do you remember the Skyway Club at 14 Saratoga Road in Scotia? The venue wasn't open for long but some of todays biggest artists once pulled their U-Haul up, unloaded and played for a couple of hundred people. Were you there for any of these?
JoePerryProjectVEVO
August 18, 1983 - Joe Perry Project - From 1979 - 1984 Joe Perry had left Aerosmith and formed the Joe Perry Project. This show would have been about 1 year prior to rejoining Aerosmith and just a few months before the release of the Joe Perry Project album "Once A Rocker, Always A Rocker".
R.E.M. Archive
October 12, 1983 - R.E.M. - Murmur Tour - This image was captured backstage at Skyway Club in Scotia, New York following their set which included a cover of the Blue Oyster Cult song "Don't Fear the Reaper". Michael Stipe (L) and Peter Buck (R) admitted they had never played that song before but it was a request from the audience.
December 19, 1984 - Blue Oyster Cult - Revolution By Night Tour - By this time B.O.C. had already released their most successful singles "Godzilla", "Don't Fear the Reaper" and "Burning for You".
According to Nippertown, this was Metallica's first time playing the Capital Region and the first date of their 'Ride the Lightning' Tour. Here is the audio from Metallica in Scotia!
January 10, 1985 - Metallica - Ride the Lightning Tour - This show also featured Armored Saint and W.A.S.P.
April 6, 1985 - The Dickey Betts Band - Dickey Betts was in and out of the Allman Brothers Band over the years and in 1985 Betts didn't have an album to support but put together a tour of smaller venues, such as the Skyway in Scotia.
Rolling Rockvideos
June 14, 1985 - Ramones - Too Tough to Die Tour - The band was between albums in 1985 but to see the Ramones live is where it was at and Scotia was fortunate to get 1 date on the tour named after their latest album.
This is 14 Saratoga Road in Scotia today.