SEP • OCT 2026
The Great Italian Festival Forty-Four Years From a Parking Lot
Roger Daltrey A Bloody Great Chat
Lynyrd Skynyrd Once More on the Road
SEP •OCT 2026
IN THIS ISSUE Gi n a Ad a m s CEO & Publisher
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06
page 6
Fashion Runway to Reality
page 10
Downtown Wild River Grille
page 14
Local The Great Italian Festival
page 18
Feature Roger Daltrey
page 22
Music Lynyrd Skynyrd
page 30
Events Calendar 4
As you turn the pages, I hope you find something that inspires you to get out, try something new, support a local business or spend time with the people you love.
That inspired this issue’s theme, Celebrate the Season.
There is always something happening around here. Let’s celebrate it.
Voices & Visionaries Bill Kopp Music & Culture
LaDonna Michelle Local & Lifestyle
Johnathan Chapin Eat & Imbibe
Morgan Massie Leadership
Daryl Butterfeild Eat & Imbibe
Isha Casagrande Fashion
Kel Rush Community
Tucker Monticelli Layout & Design
page 26
Community Booked & Outside
Northern Nevada such a wonderful place to live.
At Rock On Magazine, we love celebrating the people, businesses, artists, restaurants and experiences that make
Food Punk Rock Saute: Art of Creation
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here is something special about this time of year in Reno and Tahoe. The air gets a little cooler, the calendar fills up, and there is so much to look forward to.
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Alfyn Gestoso Photography
Jason Kincade Photography
Alita Rey Photography
Margie Enlow Layouts
Courtney Meredith Local Guide
Tony Contini Photography Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
Dance with Darkness Sierra Nevada Ballet’s Dracula Haunts the Stage
Step Into the Shadows with Sierra Nevada Ballet’s DRACULA – The Ballet. As autumn leaves begin to fall and the days grow shorter, the spirit of Halloween creeps into the air with excitement and mystery. This year, Sierra Nevada Ballet invites you to experience a thrilling blend of drama, passion, and suspense with their riveting production, DRACULA – The Ballet. Set to captivate audiences, this original full-length ballet draws from Bram Stoker’s iconic 1897 novel, breathing new life into the timeless tale of the vampire Count Dracula.
supernatural shadow, opposed only by the determined vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing and his allies. The tension builds as love, deception, and the struggle between life and death play out across the stage. Stellar Cast, Mesmerizing Choreography Internationally renowned dancers Malachi Squires and Domingo Rubio perform alongside our own Reno professionals Anthony Mcmenamy and Sara Weir, bringing their formidable talent and emotional
A Ballet Born from Darkness and Desire. Originally premiering in 2023 to enthusiastic reviews and clamoring audiences, DRACULA – The Ballet marks a rare and daring effort to retell a classic gothic story through the elegant and powerful language of dance. Choreographed by the award-winning Ananda Bena-Weber, this production intertwines the haunting melodies of Astor Piazzolla’s music with influences from Transylvanian folklore and Victorian-era mystique. The result is a sensual, suspenseful narrative that moves seamlessly between moments of horror, romance, and intrigue. The ballet follows young solicitor Jonathan Harker as he journeys to the eerie, remote castle of Count Dracula in Transylvania. Soon, Harker discovers the true, terrifying nature of his host, a vampire whose dark appetites threaten to engulf not only Harker but all those he loves. As the story transports us to the English coastal town of Whitby, the theatrical dance portrays the sinister Count spreading his
depth to this ambitious work. Supported by a full company of professional dancers, the performance dazzles with innovative set design, sumptuous costumes, and choreography infused with tango-inspired passion. This bold stylistic choice perfectly balances the eerie fantasy and nail-biting horror elements, creating a memorable sensory experience.
And the invitation to immerse yourself in the night doesn’t stop when the curtain falls. Reno audiences are encouraged to don their Halloween costumes and join the company for the DRACULA BALL, a festive after-party at the Renaissance Hotel immediately following the November 1 performance. Revelers can mingle with the cast, enjoy refreshments, and dance deep into the night, extending the ballet’s haunting atmosphere well beyond the theater. An Invitation to an Unforgettable Night. Whether you’re a dance aficionado, a horror fan, or someone simply seeking an extraordinary cultural event this fall, DRACULA – The Ballet promises to be an unforgettable experience. Performances will take place on October 17, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Carson City Community Center and November 1, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. Since its founding in 2001, Sierra Nevada Ballet has established itself as Northern Nevada’s premier professional ballet company. Renowned for seamlessly fusing classical and contemporary styles, SNB offers dynamic performances that resonate across diverse audiences. Featuring a dedicated ensemble of 10 professional dancers, apprentices, and trainees, the company also nurtures future talent through its acclaimed SNB Academy, which follows the rigorous American Ballet Theatre curriculum. Don’t miss your chance to dive into the shadows and thrill to this hauntingly beautiful ballet. Reserve your seats and RSVP today at sierranevadaballet.org or call (775) 360-8663. PHOTO CREDIT: ANDY BARRON
Food
By: Chefs Daryl Butterfield & Jonathan Chapin Photos: Chefs Daryl Butterfield & Jonathan Chapin
PUNK ROCK
The Art of Creation
S
ome of the greatest lessons we’ve learned haven’t come from kitchens—they’ve come from music venues, skate parks, surf breaks, and the incredible people we’ve met along the way.
This summer, a trip to Southern California reminded us that creativity takes many forms. Whether it’s a drummer shaping surfboards, an executive chef composing a dish, or a private chef creating memories around a dining table, the common thread is passion. At Reno Recipes, that’s what we’re really creating. Experiences.
Passion Shapes More Than Surfboards One of the things we’ve always admired about creative people is that they rarely limit themselves to one craft. Recently, we traveled to Southern California to meet up with our longtime friend Erik “Smelly” Sandin, legendary drummer for NOFX. After many opportunities through catering festivals like Punk in
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Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
As chefs, we couldn’t stop studying the details. Every garnish served a purpose. Every flavor had intention. Drublic and cooking for NOFX and other touring bands, backstage introductions eventually became genuine friendships. This trip, however, wasn’t about music. It was about surfing. During the pandemic, Smelly turned another lifelong passion into Pickle Stix Surfboards, hand-shaping custom boards from his Long Beach workshop. Every board begins as a rough block of foam before being transformed into something completely unique for the individual surfer. Watching him explain his process reminded us how similar all creative work really is. As chefs, we begin with raw ingredients. Musicians begin with an idea. A surfboard shaper begins with foam and imagination. None of it is rushed. Every detail matters. Daryl spent ten years living and surfing in Venice Beach while opening restaurants throughout Southern California, the connection felt especially familiar. Surf culture has always celebrated individuality, craftsmanship, music,
rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
photography, and style. Every wave is different, and every board tells its own story. That week surfing Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, and Newport Beach, watching surfers catch the evening swell. It reminded us that not all art hangs on a gallery wall. Sometimes… it’s meant to be ridden.
The Art of the Dish Another highlight of our trip was reconnecting with our friend, Executive Chef Zack Kasmar at The Resort at Pelican Hill. From the moment we sat down, Chef Zack wasn’t simply serving dinner—he was telling a story. Course after course arrived like edible works of art: pristine bluefin tuna, Spanish octopus, Kaluga caviar, hand-cut beef tartare, each plate showcasing remarkable precision and restraint. As chefs, we couldn’t stop studying the details. Every garnish served a purpose. Every flavor had intention. But what impressed us most wasn’t just the food—it was Zack’s journey.
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Growing up in Orange County, he was immersed in skateboarding and punk rock, skating around the world, spending weekends at Warped Tour before discovering that cooking could become another creative outlet. Inspired by his father, a chef and culinary instructor, Zack built a career through luxury resorts, award shows, wineries, and eventually The Resort at Pelican Hill, where he now helps lead one of California’s premier culinary destinations. During our conversation, one idea kept resurfacing. Artists all speak the same language. Whether you’re playing drums, shaping surfboards, skateboarding, or building a memorable dish, every craft demands patience, repetition, and heart.
Since our last Rock On Magazine article, we’ve helped raise nearly $50,000 for local nonprofits by donating private chef dining experiences to fundraising auctions—raising $11,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation, $21,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and $16,500 for LEAD with Horses. Each dinner is completely customized. We cook in our guests’ homes, share the stories behind every course, teach everyone how to saber a bottle of champagne, and by the end of the evening we’re usually leaving with hugs instead of handshakes. Those dinners have reminded us that food has an incredible ability to bring people together. Every family that welcomes us into their home also helps support organizations that are changing lives throughout our community. Together, we truly rise by lifting others.
One moment from lunch perfectly captured that idea. We joked that musicians and chefs create things that are meant to be consumed. A song lasts a few minutes. A meal lasts an evening. The memory lasts a lifetime.
Celebrate the Season
Watching Chef Zack effortlessly move between the kitchen and dining room reminded us that hospitality is its own art form. Great food may bring people to the table, but genuine connection is what keeps them talking about the experience long after dinner is over.
Whether it’s a Thanksgiving dinner, Friendsgiving, a holiday party, or an intimate evening with family and friends, we’d be honored to help create an experience filled with incredible food, meaningful conversation, and lasting memories. Because in the end, that’s what Reno Recipes has always been about. Creating experiences, one recipe at a time.
Cooking With Purpose One of the greatest gifts this journey has given us is the opportunity to give back through the work we love.
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As the holidays approach, we hope you’ll find a reason to gather around the table.
Planning a fall or holiday gathering? Learn more at renorecipes.com and follow @renorecipes on Instagram and Facebook.
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
A Bigger Vision
Is Coming to Reno
Truck Envy has built a reputation for creating some of Northern Nevada’s most impressive custom truck and SUV builds. Now, the locally owned company is preparing for an exciting new chapter with a brand-new location designed to take the customer experience to the next level.
a larger selection of lift kits, wheels, tires, lighting, overlanding equipment, and expert installation. While the new location is under construction, Truck Envy remains open and ready to help customers prepare for ‘Falliday,’ winter weather, and holiday travel. From complete custom builds to individual upgrades, the team is ready to bring each customer’s vision to life.
Owner Andy Henry recently confirmed that Truck Envy has purchased the former Carpeteria building and is transforming the space into a premier destination for truck enthusiasts.
The holiday season is also the perfect time for truck enthusiasts. Gift cards, accessories, and upgrades make memorable gifts that will be enjoyed long after the holidays.
“We are excited and hoping to open our doors in Q4 2026,” Henry said. “This move represents a major step forward for Truck Envy and our commitment to providing the best products, service, and custom builds in the area.” The new showroom will feature full-size trucks and SUVs showcasing real products, custom upgrades, and the latest accessories. Customers can expect
Current Location 75 E Patriot Blvd, Suite 13
rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
The next chapter is coming, and Truck Envy is ready to bring Reno an even bigger and better truck accessory experience.
New LocatioN COMING SOON 8150 S Virginia St.
Truckenvy.com (775) 993-3700
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Fashion
By: Isha Casagrande Photos: Alfyn Gestoso Location: Calafuria
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Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
T
here is something deliciously impractical about dressing for glamour, and the only drama I like is in your outfit.
Recently, I gathered a group of girlfriends for an afternoon at a gorgeous restaurant, and we gave ourselves one assignment: glamour. No quiet outfits. No waiting for the perfect event. No saving fabulous pieces for someday. And the result was magic. A different energy happens when women decide to dress all the way up. The conversation changes. The posture changes. The laughter gets louder. The room feels different. This happens not because the clothes have power on their own, but because of what they invite us to remember: that we are still allowed to rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
play, still allowed to be seen, and still allowed to have fun getting dressed. Sometimes confidence begins with a little sparkle, a bold lip, faux fur over your shoulders, and a few women beside you saying, “Yes. Wear that.” So many women have a someday section in their closets. The dress waiting for the right dinner. The heels waiting for the right invitation. The jacket that feels a little too much for ordinary life. But what if ordinary life is exactly where we need more beauty? What if the occasion is simply being alive in this season of your life?
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W E A R E S T I L L A L L O W E D T O P L AY
Reality Check Did you know your skirt can double as a dress? The black satin dress you see here actually started as a skirt. We pulled it up, added a belt at the waist, layered on jewelry, and suddenly it became a completely new look. Same piece. Instant glamour. Do not be afraid to play with the pieces already in your wardrobe. Designers often create clothing with movement, shape, and versatility in mind, which means your clothes may have more possibilities than you first realize.
That is the heart of style for me. Not trends. Not shopping. Not becoming someone else. It is remembering yourself. Let’s get dressed. Because your real life is worthy of glamour. rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
A skirt might become a dress. A scarf might become a belt. A jacket might become the whole outfit. Before you say you have nothing to wear, look again. You do not need a new wardrobe. You need a new way to see the one you already have. Let’s get dressed.
SPECIAL THANKS Calafuria Restaurant for allowing us to use their amazing patio as a shoot location. Alfyn Gestoso, REALTOR® and Owner of Alfyn Photography. Labels Consignment Boutique for glamorous fashion selections.
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eH r e
istory Meets
Wild River Grille N
F
and Art Alo ng or lav
By: Courtney Meredith Photos: Wild River Grille
Wh
Food
Riverwa lk no’s Re
Walking Through a Piece of Reno’s History ot every restaurant can boast an address steeped in nearly a century of history, but Wild River Grille does just that. Situated inside the iconic Riverside Hotel building at 17 South Virginia Street in Reno, this landmark has been a defining part of the downtown skyline since 1927. Beyond being a culinary hotspot, Wild River Grille is a living testament to Reno’s layered past and its vibrant arts and culture scene today. Before Reno blossomed into the city we know today, the Riverside site already welcomed travelers along the banks of the Truckee River. The original lodging began here in 1870 under pioneer Myron C. Lake, eventually evolving into the Riverside Hotel, a jewel of the city’s early hospitality scene. Celebrated architect Frederick DeLongchamps crafted the building standing today in an impressive Gothic Revival style: striking red brick, elegant cream terracotta trim, and a generous riverfront veranda that opens to scenic views of the Truckee. At the time of its construction, this was Nevada’s tallest building and a hub for luminaries such as Frank Sinatra and Gloria Vanderbilt. Though the hotel closed in the 1980s, this storied building refused to retire into silence. Now, as the Riverside Artist Lofts, it pulses with creative energy, supporting local artists and their families in live/work studios while also sheltering Wild River Grille and the River Room event space, sites where food, music, and art converge in daily celebration.
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Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
WILD RIVER GRILLE A Culinary Beacon on the River Since its inception in 2007, Wild River Grille has anchored the downtown scene with contemporary American cuisine rooted in local flavors. The family-owned restaurant marries a nature-inspired interior with the historic charm of its setting, inviting guests to linger over both plates and panoramic views of the rushing Truckee River. But beyond the exceptional food and handcrafted cocktails lies a vibrant calendar of community connection. From June to September, the much-loved Summer Concert Series fills the air on the riverfront patio with the talents of Northern Nevada’s top musicians, including favorites like Moon Gravy, Erika Paul, Mel & Gia, Tyler Stafford, and Eric Anderson. These free concerts (with food or drink purchase) have become a summertime mainstay, blending live music with the magic of riverside dining. The concert series also dovetails with Reno’s famous Artown Festival, underscoring Wild River Grille’s ongoing commitment to artist support and cultural enrichment. Through music performances and culinary excellence, the restaurant fosters a cultural legacy, building Reno’s identity as a modern hub for the arts and community.
The Riverwalk: Reno’s Cultural Tapestry The Riverwalk District itself is one of Reno’s most cherished neighborhoods, an area where natural beauty weaves through historic architecture and a flourishing arts scene. Wild River Grille sits at the crossroads of this cultural tapestry, bridging past and present not merely through preserved bricks but by living history every day.
EST. 2007
More Than a Meal: A Shared Experience Dining at Wild River Grille offers something refreshingly unique: a seat beside the flowing Truckee River, where the ambiance is as much a part of the experience as the food. The outdoor patio is a favored spot, especially on warm summer nights when the gentle river sounds mingle with laughter and music, creating an easy, laid-back vibe. Because the patio fills quickly, particularly on weekends, reservations are highly recommended. Guests often enjoy strolling the nearby Riverwalk path afterward, a scenic pedestrian trail along the river that cuts through downtown and offers an alternative view of Reno, far removed from the casino corridors. Wild River Grille’s location, cuisine, and spirit make it more than a restaurant; it’s a destination for those seeking to connect with Reno’s heart, culture, and community. As the 2026 Summer Concert Series returns, anticipation builds for evenings bursting with melody and conviviality on the water’s edge. This seasonal celebration of local music, paired with inspired dishes and cocktails, promises to reaffirm Wild River Grille’s role as a pillar of arts and culture in Reno’s historic Riverwalk. Whether you’re a lifelong Reno resident or a visitor hungry for a true sense of place, an evening here offers an unforgettable fusion of history, culinary artistry, and live music a vibrant testament to the enduring magic of the Truckee River and the community it nourishes.
The juxtaposition of Riverside Artist Lofts with the restaurant creates a dynamic ecosystem; artists engage with visitors through studios and exhibits, perfectly complementing the Summer Concert Series and other community happenings here. This fusion of dining, art, and history nurtures an authentic downtown culture appreciative of Reno’s roots and its urban future.
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Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
Local Event
By: Kel Rush Photos: Caesars Entertainment
T
here is a version of this story that starts with statistics. Six city blocks. Eight to ten bands. A VIP operation that has outgrown its own tent, twice. But that version misses the point, as Tony Marini, VP of Player Services, would tell you himself, while gesturing at a pot of ravioli filling unchanged in decades. The real story starts in a parking lot between the Eldorado and what used to be Fitzgerald's, with twenty families and a sauce cook-off, and
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it has never really left that parking lot, even as it swallowed most of downtown Virginia Street. Marini was six years old the first time around. He has been there for all forty-four festivals, first as a kid trailing his grandfather, then as an employee, and now as the man running his artichoke booth and marshaling three generations of family through the busiest weekend of his professional life.
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
"It started in a parking lot right here," Marini said. "Twenty families cooking sauce and a stage, and music, and a bocce ball tournament. And in the middle of the day, Don Carano would grab a microphone and go booth to booth and ask about the sauce and how it was made. It was just so awesome to watch." Don Carano, founder of the Eldorado and patriarch of the family behind The Row, is the reason any of this exists. Executive Chef Ivano Centemeri, who arrived from Italy in 1995 and has run the kitchen alongside Marini for thirty years, put it bluntly: Carano reached out to him overseas and invited him to cross an ocean for a job he'd never seen. "Don contacted me in Italy directly," Centemeri said. "So me, I'm the proof of what Don, for Don, means to be Italian." Centemeri had opened a restaurant in Spain at twenty-one and figured, why not America too. He was one of only a small handful of people in the building who spoke Italian when he landed, alongside Marini's grandfather, Dario Bevilacqua, the property's pasta chef, and a casino operations manager named Nick Rossi.
The DNA Festival What makes the festival unusual, even among ethnic-heritage street fairs, is how aggressively it has resisted becoming anything other than what it is. Marini calls it a lifestyle. Centemeri, rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
without missing a beat, upgrades it: "It's a DNA festival. You can't, like, when you say change, what do you want to change in a DNA? You can't change DNA. They try, I guess, you know, it's called clone." That DNA runs through the bloodlines working the booths. Marini's mother has cooked sauce at all forty-four festivals, a habit he says he has tried and failed to talk her out of. Centemeri's wife cooks; his kids work the booth so eagerly he sometimes has to send them away. Marini's own children work the booth too, alongside his wife on the register. Every family has staked out its own territory, generation after generation, and the competition between booths gets fierce: "Oh yeah, who makes the most money, which booth makes better." And presiding over all of it is the Carano family. Marini describes chairman of the board Gary Carano posting up at the flatbread station for ten straight hours. Rhonda Carano, Marini's aunt, was on that line last year too, decades after she dressed her young nephew as Pinocchio and paraded him through the festival handing out balloons—a memory Marini brings up with a fondness that knows how ridiculous it sounds and doesn't care.
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"It's a testament to the Carano family," he said. "Never giving up, never veering off, staying with the direction of this festival. It has never changed, okay? It's food and family, period." Rhonda Carano died August 1, making this year's festival the first without her and lending Tony's Pinocchio memory new poignancy.
The Recipe Doesn't Know Who You Are If there is an organizing principle here, it is consistency bordering on the sacred. The mushroom and meat ravioli recipes have never been altered, Marini insists, in his entire time there. "The recipe don't count on the level of who you are," Centemeri said. "From the president down to the last one that just got a green card, we are the same." The polenta was once cooked in a pot Marini describes as the size of a swimming pool. Dario Bevilacqua ran that station for years with legendary frugality, resisting butter and béchamel on the grounds that polenta was a peasant dish made from grain leftovers and water, until his daughter Rhonda talked him into adding cheese.
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"He was Genovese," Centemeri said, "which is the cheapest son of a gun that you can get." The station is gone now, retired after Bevilacqua died in 2002, and it's the one thing Marini says he misses.
The Sound of an Italian Fest Music runs underneath the festival, structural rather than decorative. Two stages carry eight to ten bands across the weekend, largely the same acts returning year after year, because Marini's philosophy on entertainment mirrors his philosophy on ravioli: don't touch what works. "We don't bear off. We don't change," he said. The accordion, once played by Marini's father and his aunt Rhonda, is rarely heard anymore, but the stiltwalkers still function as an opening bell. "Everybody says, where's the stiltwalkers? That means Italian Fest is here," Marini said.
Two Days in Reno, Like Two Weeks in Italy Centemeri, who grew up in Italy, offers the most vivid explanation for why the festival matters: it's not an event, it's a state of mind he can find on any street in Rome or Florence, any day of the year. Marini has adopted the theory wholesale, describing calling Centemeri from a trip through
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
Italy just to report it felt, everywhere, like Italian Fest Saturday. "If I wasn't in Reno for our Italian Fest, I would probably be in New York or San Francisco or somewhere there was an Italian Festival on the Columbus Day weekend the rest of my life." The festival has become a reunion point for regulars who structure vacations around it, some in their nineties, calling ahead every year to confirm they're coming. The company has formalized that loyalty with a seven-star VIP experience, its tent now expanded to two. There's also the Friday ritual outsiders never see: the Paisano Open, a golf tournament benefiting the Humane Society, followed Saturday morning by coffee and the first sfinge of the weekend. "It's also the level of respect," Centemeri said, explaining why they haven't absorbed outside vendors in-house. "We're looking for Mamma Rosa coming with whatever. Of course we can do everything. But why?"
What Gets Passed Down Both men note that "family" at the Great Italian Festival was never a bloodline requirement. Longtime vendors, musicians, and regulars get folded into the same orbit. What holds it together is stewardship rather than nostalgia: an obligation to the people who built it, and a refusal to let convenience erode what made it worth building. Weather has tested that resolve, with October forecasts unpredictable enough that the team starts monitoring a month out. But the show goes on, because the festival has stopped being optional for anyone connected to it. "It means something to every employee here," Marini said. "It means something to every person in the family." Forty-four years on, neither man expects credit to outlast him. "They might not remember the two of us," Centemeri said, "but that would be nice." What they expect is that the festival keeps going, unaltered, run by whichever generation inherits the booths next. As Marini put it, it's generational, timeless, and a staple he hopes lives on for another forty-four years. The 44th annual Great Italian Festival Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 Free Admission rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
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Feature
By: Bill Kopp Photos: Rick Guest
R
oger Daltrey is one of the most distinctive voices in rock. Lead singer for The Who, he has been the voice of one of the greatest rock bands of all time, delivering the words of guitarist and extraordinary songwriter Pete Townshend on albums and in live concerts from 1964 until present day. On breakthrough albums like The Who Sell Out and the double-album rock opera Tommy (both 1967), the juggernaut Who’s Next (1971) and 1978’s classic Who Are You, the band’s remarkable balance of power and depth showcased music that hit hard, connecting with both head and heart. Countless classics have come out of The Who’s discography. From the anthemic “My Generation” in 1965 to “Behind Blue Eyes” (1971) and album rock classics like “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” The Who created the soundtrack for a generation. Leading the charge vocally, Roger Daltrey has been the band’s indefatigable front man. Today – more than 62 years after The Who’s first charting single – the band remains active, with Daltrey and Townshend fronting a lineup that features younger musicians.
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And since 1973, Daltrey has also maintained a creatively rich solo career outside The Who. To date, the London-born singer has released nine studio albums. Beginning with his silver screen debut in 1975, Daltrey has also acted in many films and on television. Knighted in 2025, today the 82-year-old Daltrey remains active; he’s currently gearing up for a solo tour with a band of his own. Ahead of that tour, Roger Daltrey spoke with Rock On about his life in and beyond music, and the other pursuits that keep him engaged.
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
What was the first song that Pete Townshend brought to The Who where you thought, “Hey, this is something special; he’s not just any songwriter”? Probably [1967’s] “Pictures of Lily.” It was so left-field for me as a singer, because as you know, we came out of doing John Lee Hooker and Howlin’ Wolf songs. And then all of a sudden there’s this song with a kind of childlike quality to it. Because it was sung from the perspective of a child. And I thought, “Well, this is extraordinary. And it’s telling a story.” And then I thought, “There’s a lot of potential here!” And sure enough, look what happened. And then of course, he followed it with “I’m a Boy,” which in today’s world [laughs] could cause a lot of fights! I just thought, “This guy has got an ability to reach people in the way most people can’t.” And I wasn’t proved wrong. So, how lucky did I get? But what a stretch! I really stretch myself; I try to live the words as a character in the song so that you are in the song, living it too, if that makes sense. It’s so difficult to talk about singing! But I try to connect every word so that it touches the spirit of that word to the listener.
For your current tour, you’re playing with an acoustic-based band… Well, they call it an acoustic-based band because it’s got very different instrumentation. It’s got squeeze box, a harmonica player, guitarist, bass player, violin, mandola, and acoustic guitar player. And a drummer, of course. And a percussionist, Jody Linscott.
rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
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This is about just coming out and having a good night out. And it’s all about having a good time; that’s all I want to do now. I do “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and I do “Baba O’Riley” [both from 1971’s Who’s Next], but not with a loop of tape doing the backing. We do it all on instruments, which allows us to stretch the songs, change the instrumentation on the solos. It’s a lot of fun. And what I’ve found is that when people hear it done differently like that, they’ve told me that it’s almost like hearing the song again for the first time ever. I’ve been in one of the hardest-working, hardest-delivering bands of all time. There’s no cheating a Who show; it’s footto-the-floor, kick-ass, hard-nosed rock. And this is the opposite. This is about just coming out and having a good night out. And it’s all about having a good time; that’s all I want to do now. I wanted to call [the tour] A Bloody Good Night Out, which is a more English [way of saying it]. But unfortunately, it’s not quite American, is it?
When you first began acting, how did your experience as a singer provide a foundation for that? Well, obviously quite a lot, because the first thing I ever acted in was [Ken Russell’s 1975 film] Tommy. Because it was all music, I was incredibly comfortable; I made the character up and I managed to hold the character through the whole film. So that was easy. But it was when I got my first speaking part, I suddenly realized, “Oh, this is a whole new ball game!” Plus the fact that the dialogue that was written was so awful...
You did do some, um, unusual movies like Lizstomania… Well, [laughs] yes, that was my second film. And I didn’t know my ass from my elbow; I didn’t know how to open my mouth and talk. [Before that] everything I’d done would have been sung, and all of a sudden someone took the backing track away!
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Do you find that acting provides a different creative fulfillment for you than singing does? It’s all part of the one big thing. I do enjoy acting very much, if I get a really good part that I can get my teeth into. But they’re few and far between; good product these days is extremely hard to find.
For many years now, you’ve been an advocate for nonprofits supporting work in the field of teenage cancer. What inspired you in that particular direction? The original charity, which was in England, is called the Teenage Cancer Trust. It was started by my GP, my doctor. He asked me to be a patron; he told me what they were trying to do, and I suddenly realized that he was right. I thought about my childhood and how disturbing some of my teenage years were, growing up. They can be incredibly painful when you’re trying to find who you are in life. And I could imagine what it would have been like to be diagnosed with cancer [as well].
Of all the songs you sing, do you have a favorite? Well, if any one I sing has an effect on an audience unlike any of the others, it would be a solo song that I did, “Giving It All Away” [from 1973’s Daltrey]. I don’t know why, but when you start singing that song, the opening chords – C to E minor to G – have an effect on people; you can hear a pin drop. It’s really weird. Even in the most rowdy audience, you start playing that song, and there’s this silence; it’s really strange. I don’t know whether it’s something in the top line of the vocal, the sound of the vocal, the chord changes. I don’t know what it is, but something happens. And I love playing that song.
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
For audiences who have seen you in the past with The Who – but have not seen one of your solo tours – what will they experience that’s different? Everything. It’s very, very different. It’s a totally different band, different sound. I have a lot more rapport with the audience. I don’t mind answering questions. I take the piss out of them, and they take the piss out of me. And I love all that. That’s what life should be about: banter. Roger Daltrey’s A Great Night Out tour comes to the Grand Theatre at Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort on September 5.
rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
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Music
By: Bill Kopp Photos: Lynyrd Skynyrd
Once More on the Road
The quintessential Southern rock band, Lynyrd Skynyrd was riding a major crest of popularity and success when tragedy struck. Founded in Jacksonville in the late 1960s, the band scored a record deal and released five studio albums and a double-live LP between 1973 and ‘77. But only three days after releasing Street Survivors, a plane carrying most of the group crashed in rural Mississippi. Six persons died in the crash including lead singer and founder Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and singer Cassie Gaines. The original band effectively ended then and there, and that could have been the end of the story.
But the legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd continued to grow. Songs like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Free Bird,” “Saturday Night Special and “What’s Your Name all made the Top 40 singles charts, and many songs from the band’s catalog became staples of FM rock (and later classic rock) radio. Surviving members launched the Rossington-Collins Band in 1979; that group released two albums and toured for three years. Ten years after the tragic crash, former members reunited to pay tribute to Ronnie Van Zant. Bringing the original lead singer’s younger brother Johnny
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on board, Lynyrd Skynyrd resumed recording and touring. With numerous lineup changes, the band has continued since then, releasing many live and studio albums and touring to the delight of a dedicated fan base. In 2026 Lynyrd Skynyrd is once again in familiar territory: on the road. This summer the band is joined by another group that came to fame in the 1970s: Foreigner. The Double Trouble Double Vision tour takes the two beloved groups to 19 North American cities, including a September 25 date at Reno Events Center. Just ahead of the tour, lead singer Johnny Van Zant spoke with Rock On about his decades fronting the band, what keeps the group going, and the enduring legacy of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Rock On: In the 1980s, you had a successful career of your own leading the Johnny Van Zant Band; you released four albums with them between 1980 and ‘85. Tell me how you came to join Lynyrd Skynyrd. Johnny Van Zant: Well, I had three records on Polygram. Then I did one album for Geffen [1985’s Van Zant], and then – honestly – in one week, I had gotten out of the music business. I was kind of like, “I just like writing songs.” I was driving a Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
truck at the time. But a friend of mine said that Ahmet Ertegun [president of Atlantic Records] had heard some of my songs and liked them; he wanted to speak to me. And I thought, “Well, it’s a music business.” Ahmet signed me the next Monday. And then that Friday, I got a call from [Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist] Gary Rossington: 10 years after the plane crash, they wanted to do a tribute tour. And I was like, “You know what? I just got signed to Atlantic! I got a deal there.” But these were Ronnie’s guys, so I wanted to go meet with Gary. My dad and I went to a hotel in Baymeadows here in Jacksonville. We walked into the room with all the guys who Ronnie had made all these great songs with. They had the Rossington-Collins band, but their hearts were still into Lynyrd Skynyrd. And they wanted to do a tribute to Ronnie. I thought me and Donnie, as brothers, could do it. I wanted Donnie to be a part of it, but 38 Special was really taking off, so he couldn’t. So I said, “Let’s rehearse; let’s play some of the songs.” And from the moment that I started singing with those guys and seeing the smiles on their face, it was so awesome and so wonderful. I knew it was the right thing to do; I really did. So we said, “Let’s go for it.” And the rest is history. Back in 2018, Lynyrd Skynyrd launched what was initially billed as a farewell tour. In 2020, the pandemic put a hold to that, and to everything else. Once the pandemic was over, you guys changed your mind. What led to that? Gary called me up again. He said, “You know what? I had 15 months off in ‘20. And I figured it out: Musicians don’t retire; we do [fewer] shows.” After Gary decided he wanted to do this again, he got sick. But I was going to follow Gary no matter what, because he’s the one who made the call in the first place back in ‘86. All he ever wanted to do was carry on the legacy of Allen [Collins] and Ronnie and the boys. And he got sick and he said, “Hey, Bubba, I’ve been looking at the situation. Charlie Daniels is gone. Greg Allman’s gone. I’ve spent most of my years carrying on this legacy, and when I’m gone, I would like to see it carried on.” [Rossington died in March 2023.] In recent years, the band has toured in tandem with some of your peers, fellow major acts like ZZ Top and Foreigner. What are the advantages of that kind of a tour?
rockonmagazine.com | Sep • Oct
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I started singing. I knew it was the right thing to do; I really did. So we said, “Let’s go for it.” And the rest is history.
There’s a lot of advantages when you bring two iconic bands together. I think it’s great, because ticket prices are so high these days. You’re getting a lot of music and a lot of hit songs whenever you team up with somebody like that. We’ve been doing it for a while – on and off over the years – with ZZ Top, and they’re just like family. We’re hooking up with Foreigner this year. Years ago, we did a Canadian run when Lou Gramm was in their band, and it was a great time. And people were wondering, how do Foreigner’s “Urgent” and “I Want to Know What Love Is” go with “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Bird”? But it worked out so good that when this opportunity came, I was like, “Yeah! Let’s go out and do some shows with those guys this year.” And I’m looking forward to it. The crowds are going to have a night of hits. You’ve been fronting Lynyrd Skynyrd for nearly 40 years now. What keeps it interesting for you?
excitement. I never phone it in; we’re all giving it 110, 120%. Whenever we go into a song like “Simple Man” and see the audience’s response, it’s an amazing thing. And that keeps me coming back. Lynyrd Skynyrd has been a household name for more than a half century. What are people going to say about Lynyrd Skynyrd 50, 100 years from now? Real songs, real people. My brother Ronnie was as down to earth as you could get, but when he hit the stage, he was a badass. And whenever he wrote a song, he wrote for real, hardworking people. I would hope that people would appreciate all the stuff that the band did – from the beginning until the very end, whenever it ends. There’s been a lot of heartache, and I think people love an underdog. When the band started, there was no American Idol. There was nothing for bands except for honkytonks and hard knocks. But you know what? That created the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
The love of the people who made the music, and the love of the fans. There’s not a night that I go out on stage and I’m not excited. Some people would call it anxiety, but I call it
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Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
BOOKED & OUTSIDE WITH LADONNA MICHELLE
WHY YOUR NEXT FALL ADVENTURE STARTS WITH A GLASS. I spend a lot of time looking for things to do around Reno. If there’s a festival, concert, grand opening or weekend event, chances are I’ve either been there or added it to my calendar. So when fall rolls around, I usually do what everyone else does. I start looking for pumpkin patches, haunted houses, Apple Hill and the seasonal traditions we’ve all come to expect. But this year, I started What stood out was that none of these thinking about fall a little differently. places felt like just another stop for a Instead of chasing another crowded event, drink. Each one gave me something to I found three local tasting experiences that discover, whether it was learning what celebrate the season in completely mead actually is, finding a workshop different ways, from locally crafted mead worth coming back for or seeing what and Nevada wine to seasonal beers paired was new on tap. with live music and community events. That is what makes them different. The drink may get you through the door, but the experience is what makes the outing feel worth it. And once I realized how different all three were, I knew this was a fall lineup worth sharing. You do not have to drive far or wait for a major festival to celebrate the season. Sometimes your next fall adventure really does start with a glass.
SLOW DOWN. STAY AWHILE. TOAST THE SEASON.
Whether you're discovering mead for the first time, sipping locally crafted Nevada wine or enjoying a seasonal craft beer with friends, these three local experiences prove that fall isn't about doing more. It's about making time for the moments you'll remember long after the season ends. 30
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
Tires & Tonneau Covers
Current Location 75 E Patriot Blvd, Suite 13
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SIP YOUR WAY THROUGH FALL BLACK RABBIT MEAD TRY SOMETHING UNEXPECTED
NEVADA'S FIRST MEADERY • LOCALLY SOURCED HONEY • SEMI-DRY CIDER-STYLE MEADS I'll be honest, I didn't even know what mead was. Turns out, it's one of the oldest alcoholic beverages in the world, and Black Rabbit gives it a fresh twist with locally sourced honey, creating crisp, ciderstyle pours that are nothing like I expected. Before you go: Start with a flight. It's the easiest way to discover your favorite.
NEVADA SUNSET WINERY MORE THAN A TASTING
NEVADA-MADE WINES • WINE FLIGHTS WORKSHOPS • SOCIAL CLUB I thought I was walking into a tasting room. I didn't realize I had found one of those places you'll end up telling your friends about. The wine flights are just the beginning. Add in charcuterie workshops, wine socials and warm spiced wine during the fall, and it's easy to see why people keep coming back. Before you go: The calendar is just as important as the wine list.
LEAD DOG BREWING TOAST TO THE SEASON
ROTATING TAPS • SEASONAL RELEASES LIVE MUSIC • POP-UPS Lead Dog knows how to make a fall beer feel like part of the plan. Past fall seasons have featured Oktoberfest pours, darker seasonal brews and even a secret menu. There's usually more happening than just the beer, with live music, comedy, workshops and seasonal events. Before you go: Ask what’s seasonal or off-menu 32
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com
SEP • OCT 2026
Lynyrd Skynyrd @ Reno Events Center
EVENTS
September
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October
Rib Cook Off
Dinner on the Bridge
SEP 2-7
OCT 3
Diana Ross
Offbeat Music Festival
SEP 2
OCT 2-3
Roger Daltrey
Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo
SEP 5
OCT 3
Earth, Wind & Fire
VC Outhouse Races
SEP 11-12
OCT 3
Chicago
Great Italian Festival
SEP 20
OCT 10-11
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Reno Zombie Crawl
SEP 25
OCT 17-18
Sep • Oct | rockonmagazine.com