Ed in York, 5/31/2011 Options

[OutToDry]

For those wanting to catch a glimpse.

http://www.ydr.com/living/ci_18008124?source=most_viewed

York, PA - Ed Kowalczyk, former Live frontman, will perform May 31 at the Waterway Bar and Grill, 220 W. Philadelphia St., York.

The show is sponsored by WQXA-FM (105. 7 the X). For details, call 845-4773 or visit www.waterwaybar.com.

Public Affection, the band that would later become Live, formed in 1984 at York's Edgar Fahs Smith Middle School. After about two decades of platinum albums, Live -- Kowalczyk, Patrick Dahlheimer, Chad Gracey and Chad Taylor -- announced a hiatus in July 2009. Kowalczyk is now focused on his solo career.

Dahlheimer, Gracey and Taylor are now in the band The Gracious Few. The X presents the band at a Guitar Bar event May 24 at The Drinkin Bone in Wormleysburg.

Kowalczyk performed an acoustic show October 2009 at York's Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. Read an interview with him before that show: www.flipsidepa.com/musicdirectory. He released a solo CD "Alive" in July 2010. For details about Kowalczyk, visit edkowalczyk.com.

[dangum]

A review and a video (Lightning Crashes) has been posted at the York Daily Record site:

http://www.ydr.com/local/ci_18178617?source=most_viewed

Former Live frontman returns to his roots
Before his solo tour begins, Ed Kowalczyk plays at Waterway in York.
By ANNA ORSO
For the Daily Record/Sunday News
Updated: 06/01/2011 09:35:41 AM EDT

York, PA - From the cover of Rolling Stone magazine to the stage of Saturday Night Live, former lead singer of multi-platinum rock band, Live, and York County native Ed Kowalczyk has been there, done that.

But before he begins an international solo tour, he returned home Tuesday to play a stripped-down, acoustic show at the Waterway Bar and Grill hosted by 105.7 FM, The X.

More than 200 people crowded the venue, cheering for the lead-singer-turned-solo artist who graduated from William Penn High School and began writing music on his own in 2009, after the alternative-grunge band announced its breakup.


James Brennan of Dover said he grew up listening to Kowalczyk's music, seeing Live more than 15 times. But Brennan, who arrived at the show hours early with his father, Neal, said he never expected to see Kowalczyk play so up close and personally.

"It's amazing that he's doing this here," Neal said. "He's got an amazing voice, is great at guitar and is a very competent songwriter."

Kowalczyk sat on a stool behind an acoustic guitar and microphone, playing songs from his solo album, "Alive," that was released last July, as well as songs from Live including the hit "I Alone."

"It's great he's back here," said Kem Shess of Elizabethtown, lead guitarist from Dream Device, one of the four opening acts that played before Kowalczyk. "How else do you know how big you've gotten until you know where you came from?"

Laurie Guyer of York, who saved her spot in front of the makeshift stage early in the evening, agreed, saying the close proximity of the show sold her on attending.

But the Live fan said she was more interested in hearing older music from the 90s while she crosses her fingers, looking forward to a day when the band can reunite.

"I'm still totally in denial about the breakup," Guyer said. "They just have to get back together."

[OutToDry]

cheering for the lead-singer-turned-solo artist who graduated from William Penn High School and began writing music on his own in 2009, after the alternative-grunge band announced its breakup.

um, this is totally an uninformed author. thanks for the link Dangum.

[Aitkens]

200 people in The Waterway is a freaking stretch. I've been to that bar plenty of times, and you would be stuck standing shoulder to shoulder in the room he was playing in. Not a chance.