Aug. 24, 1983:
The sounds of trumpets and guitars played out on a summer night in Scranton.
Flugelhornist and trumpeter Chuck Mangione and his quartet brought their sound to the Masonic Temple while across town, heavy metal band Quiet Riot delivered pounding rhythms to a crowd at the West Side Theater.
TIMES-SHAMROCK ARCHIVES Chuck Mangione’s performance in Scranton on Aug. 24, 1983, was not his first in the city. The jazz performer and his quartet played the John Long Center at University of Scranton on March 21, 1981, before a crowd of 3,000. Mangione was photographed in his hotel room prior to that 1981 show.
Mangione was known for such hits as “Feels So Good,” “Chase the Clouds Away,” “Give It All You Got” and “Children of Sanchez,” and his stop in Scranton was in support of his latest album, “Journey to a Rainbow.” Ahead of his performance, he spoke with The Scranton Times about his passion for performing.
“I live for those two to two and one-half hours of music every night,” Mangione said. “It’s my natural high. Music is meant to be played live. It’s a sharing experience.”
Tickets for Mangione’s show cost $9.50 and $10.50.
SUBMITTED PHOTO Members of heavy metal band Quiet Riot include Rudy Sarzo, Kevin DuBrow, Carlos Cavazo and Frankie Banali.
Quiet Riot, the Los Angeles-based heavy metal band, was touring in support of its new album, “Mental Health.” Making up the band were Kevin DuBrow on vocals, Rudy Sarzo on bass, Carlos Cavazo on lead guitar and Frankie Banali on drums.
“Mental Health” was a breakthrough album for the group, reaching No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart on Nov. 26, 1983. Several songs on the album, including “Mental Health (Bang Your Head)” and “Slick Black Cadillac,” charted as well.
Locally, Quiet Riot was popular. “Mental Health” was No. 2 on Rock 107’s weekly ranking of the area’s favorite albums the week the band stopped in Scranton. The top spot that week went to “Synchronicity” by the Police, and “Pyromania” by Def Leppard took up spot No. 3.
Tickets for Quiet Riot’s show cost $10.
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
