In the summer of 1975, the rock band Parousia was formed with Barry Cannizzaro on guitar (1975-1982), Gerry Cannizzaro on drums (1975-1992) and Patt Connolly on vocals/flute (1975-1992). The three band-mates rehearsed on Baxter St. in Riverside before picking up other musicians.
At first it was Steve Soos on keyboards (1975-1978), with Mike Newell on Bass guitar (1975-1977) and then John McGovern, lead guitar (1976-1978). After a big shift in band members Parousia picked up Robert Lowden, bass guitar (1978-1989) with Garth Huels, lead guitar (1978 -1986) and Kim Watts, vocals and percussion (1978- 1981). They began a journey of one rock band that lasted 18-years from 1975-1992.
Now, for the first time in 33 years, on Wednesday evening, May 20th, 2015 Patt Connolly, Barry Cannizzaro and Gerry Cannizzaro reunite at Zebb’s Bar and Grill in Buffalo NY to play a few songs from the Parousia days. This is kind of how it went…
Take me straight to the videos! 😎
Special thanks goes out to band photographer Ron Globe for the great photos and Gregg Filippone for the video recording.
Then & Now at Zebb’s 05.20.2015
Mark Misert, Garry Cannizzaro, Barry Cannizzaro and Patt Connolly
Barry Cannizzaro formed the group “Then and Now” in 2013. It was a duet including Mat Misert on Bass and electric guitar and vocals. In 2014, Gerry Cannizzaro started jamming on percussion at select performances with the group while home in Buffalo, NY visiting from Los Angeles, CA.
In a totally impromptu set of circumstances, in May 2015, Both Patt Connolly and Gerry Cannizzaro landed in Buffalo at the same time. Barry and Gerry had the gig lined up at Zebb’s in advance but when Patt Connolly decided to join in, it became something more of an event.
For the first time in decades, the three founding members of Parousia were on stage together making music again. Three of the featured songs were old time Parousia favorites, Locomotive Breath (Jethro Tull), Can’t you See (Marshall Tucker) and Behind Blue Eyes (the WHO). All three performances were captured live on Video.
The three founding members of Parousia: Gerry Cannizzaro, Barry Cannizzaro and Patt Connolly
Barry Cannizzaro and Patt Connolly
Mat Misert and Gerry Cannizzaro
Barry Cannizzaro, guitar and vocals
Locomotive Breath. Barry Cannizzaro 05.20.15
Patt Connolly vocals – Behind Blue Eyes
Patt Connolly sings “Behind Blue Eyes” by the WHO
Patt Connolly, Flute
Patt Connolly
Gerry (North) Cannizzaro – Percussion
Mat Misert, Guitars and vocals
Members of the audience included long time Parousia fans Paula Saber, Mike Kerwin, Alan Swan, Rae Anne Hertel, Pam Jaeger, Gregg and Robin Filippone and Billy Bair
Judy Dolce and Gregg Filippone on the video camera.
Awesome.. Wish I could have been there. I can’t remember how many times we heard Pat sing ‘Behind Blue Eyes’ during our college years…
My favorite was ‘Surrender’ by cheap trick.. Bring that one back!
I am very sorry for missing this event. We were up to our chins in patients.
Great history and pix on the website. The Then and Now Parousia Reunion show was well documented. That really is something for the three founders to play after all these years. Patt can still rock the flute like days of old.
Had a great time .. was good to see you guys.. let us know when you are in town again.
Hellllllo all you nostalgic Rocksters!
A legendary and amazing event occurred at Zebb’s Restaurant (Amherst N.Y.) on Wed. 05/20/15. Specifically it was the core nucleus reunion of 3 of the founding members of Parousia; arguably one of WNY’s premier 7 piece show bands of all time! Along with myself (Barry Cannizzaro on guitar and vocals; my brother Gerald Canizzaro on percussion: bongos; tambourine; etc., and Patrick Connolly on harmony and lead vocals as well as “kick ass flute”) was my Then and Now duet partner; Mat Missert; who kept excellent rhythm on his electric guitar; and chimed in with background/harmony vocals from time.
It was literally a trip back in time players; when we played Locomotive Breath by Jethro Tull; with myself on lead vocals wearing my Choo Choo Charlie train conductors hat; and Pat Connolly on the “kick ass flute”; performing searing/blazing flute solos like a musician possessed. One old website reader remembered seeing our old Parousia band; and said that Pat reminded him of and I quote: “Jethro Tull/Ian Anderson on steroids.” I couldn’t have summed it up better myself. Pat sang lead on Behind Blue Eyes by the WHO as he sat right on the floor near the “stage” band area. He is truly a showman through and through. He never “lost it”. Once a showman; always a showman! He is also did a knockout job playing the melody lines and flute solos on Can’t You See” by Marshall Tucker; as well as numerous tunes. His perfect pitch harmony vocals were :right on the money” as always. What a slammin’ show players!
I couldn’t help to reminisce and harken back to the days when Parousia first started back in the mid 1970s playing in my parent’s garage on Baxter Street in Riverside/Buffalo, N.Y. It was just the three of us (as mentioned above); and who knew the band would go as far as it did. I still remember my brother coming up to me as I was looking at certain species of Lepidoptera (butterflies); telling me and I quote: “to put down the microscope; and pick up my guitar.” I was livid stating I was on the verge of a new scientific discovery that could possibly change the nature of insect Bilology as we know it. My brother didn’t give a “feces” about that; and insisted I join Pat and him in the garage and lay down some guitar parts for their newly created tune “Crystal City”; which was a takeoff on “Iron Man by Black Sabbath. No one thought of any trademark infringements back then; we just jammed and had freakin’ fun!
Well; that’s all for now my dudes;I hope you had a chance to see the original Parousia reunion show at Zebb’s; if not; it sucks to be you! OOOPS! Did I really just say that. I’m more vocal than Donald Trump; and I love it. No apologies here! No really; hopefully you can make the next reunion show if and when it may take place; and believe me pilgrims; we will try our damndest for that to happen. Peace out and rock on!
Barrymannia