(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) is bringing hard rock back into the fold in 2023. The multi-platinum selling, first-ever heavy metal band with a #1 Billboard album, Quiet Riot, will be joined by the hitmaking all-female, 80s hard rock band, Vixen, on May 5, 2023 at 8:00pm. A concert made for the MTV generation; these bands are still rocking with over 2 million monthly Spotify listeners.
Tickets range from $29-$79 and are on sale now. Visit www.ticketmaster.com or call bergenPAC's Box Office at (201) 227-1030.
Legendary bassist and Metal Health founding member Rudy Sarzo has returned to the band after almost a 20-year absence. As per the wishes of Frankie Banali who passed away in 2020, and the Banali estate, Quiet Riot continues its historic journey in 2022. The lineup is composed of Quiet Riot guitarist Alex Grossi, vocalist Jizzy Pearl and Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly. Quiet Riot is a rock & roll phenomenon. The Los Angeles quartet became an overnight sensation thanks to their monster 1983 smash album Metal Health.
The story of Quiet Riot begins in 1980 when Kevin DuBrow formed a new band under his own name, working with Frankie Banali and a variety of musicians over the next few years before signing with Pasha/CBS Records, reverting back to the Quiet Riot moniker, and entering the studio with guitarist Carlos Cavazo and bassist Chuck Wright to work on a new album. The year was 1982 and, following Randy Rhoads' well-documented death, former henchman Rudy Sarzo left Ozzy, replacing Chuck Wright, who is the bass player on record for both the "Metal Health" and "Don't Wanna Let You Go" tracks, to complete the lineup and sessions for what would become 1983's Metal Health. Driven by the irresistible double whammy of the title track's muscular bass line and a raucous rendition of the old Slade chestnut "Cum on Feel the Noize," the album stormed up the U.S. charts, duly reaching the number one spot and going platinum five times over in the process at that time. The sales of Metal Health have now exceeded the 10 million mark worldwide to date.
Quiet Riot returned to the studio to record 1984's Condition Critical, which went on to sell over 2 million copies in the US and included another chart-ready Slade cover in "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" and the self-penned "Party All Night." The band went on to record five more albums between the late 80s through 90s. Quiet Riot has sold over 15 million records worldwide. The critically acclaimed Quiet Riot Documentary "Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back" spent two years in rotation on SHOWTIME and was recommended by Rolling Stone. The band is excited to welcome Rudy Sarzo back into the band and are looking forward to touring and recording into 2022 and beyond.
There’s only one all-female hard rock band from the 80s who sold over one million albums, had six #1 music videos on MTV, and had four songs in Billboard’s Top 100. Vixen was founded in St. Paul, MN by high-schooler guitarist Jan Kuehnemund. The desire to achieve the rock star dreams like so many before her, Jan took her group to Hollywood but soon retooled the line-up, which included vocalist Janet Gardner, drummer Roxy Petrucci and bassist Share Ross (Pedersen). In 1987 a pair of big brass balls at EMI Records decided to roll the dice with Vixen, despite all the stereotypes regarding bands fronted by chicks. EMI released their self-named debut album "Vixen" featuring the groups’ first hit "Edge of a Broken Heart" penned by Richard Marx and Fee Waybill (The Tubes).
MTV became Vixen’s playground and so coupled with exhaustive touring Vixen embarked on their ride. Piling on more hits the band charted Billboard at #22 with ballad, "Cryin'” and "Love Made Me" at #36. The road continued to call opening for Ozzy Osbourne, Scorpions, Eddie Money, and many others. Vixens had firmly distinguished themselves as a premiere rock act to be taken seriously. With the pistons still popping, Vixen’s second album "Rev It Up" was a success with "How Much Love" as the prized single performed live on The Arsenio Hall Show.
The group Vixen-ize their fans on worldwide tours with heavyweights KISS and Scorpions, which fueled the international frenzy. The ballad, "Love Is A Killer" rose on the charts along with the rocker "Not A Minute Too Soon" once again establishing Vixen as not just performers but hit songwriters. It was Nirvana’s sound out of Seattle that helped fuel the winds of change and underscored the decision to disband Vixen in 1992. The band regrouped in 2002 and have been revving ever since. Vixen consistently delivers high-energy top-notch performances that leave fans breathless and wanting more at every show. In 2019 a new chapter began with the addition of Lorraine Lewis (Femme Fatale) stepping into lead vocals.
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) is located at 30 North Van Brunt Street in Englewood, New Jersey. Founded in 2003, the 1,367-seat bergenPAC is the area’s cultural mecca. Housed in a historic Art Deco-style theater boasting one of the finest acoustic halls in the United States, bergenPAC attracts a stellar roster of world-class entertainment. The jewel in our crown is The Performing Arts School at bergenPAC – the innovative, educational performing arts initiative that, through programs, classes, outreach, school shows, and main theater presented shows, reach more than 30,000 students and community youth annually. The Performing Arts School provides community youth, age 2 months to 21 years, with unique, “hands-on” training in music, dance and theater by industry professionals. It is through the ongoing generosity of sponsors, donors, members, and patrons that the not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation bergenPAC and The Performing Arts School are able to thrive and enrich our community.
