Live concert rocks The Bank Theatre

By Deanna Bertrand

LEAMINGTON — A tribute concert honouring health care workers and first responders rocked Leamington’s Bank Theatre Friday night and late Saturday afternoon, Nov. 5 and 6, with the Jody Raffoul Band headlining the live event.

Popular teen group Leave Those Kids Alone opened for Raffoul with a string of lively rock ’n roll hits.

Leamington Councillor John Hammond and Mayor Hilda MacDonald both welcomed theatregoers and thanked first responders, including four local firefighters on hand to represent the Leamington Fire Department.

Band members of Leave Those Kids Alone, from left are keyboardist Louis Diab, lead vocalist Timothy Hole, lead guitarist Alex Bonadonna, drummer Addisyn Bonadonna and bass player Luca Angelini.

SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand

Mayor MacDonald said that with the worst of the pandemic behind us, we may often forget what first responders and other essential workers did for us when they stayed away from their own families while putting themselves at risk going to work each day.

“We want to thank them for all of that,” she said before turning the stage and microphone over to Leave Those Kids Alone.

The talented group of young musicians had the crowd clapping along as lead vocalist 18-year-old Timothy Hole belted out classic lyrics to hits such as Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas, Renegade by Styx and the sweet sound of guitar riffs in Hotel California by The Eagles.

Jody Raffoul and his band hit the stage for the second half of the concerts held at The Bank Theatre on November 5 and 6.

SUN photo by Deanna Bertrand

Raffoul and his band came on after a short intermission and sang a mix of his hits from his legendary 40-year career.

The Bank Theatre was truly rocking as Jody and his band thoroughly entertained those in attendance.

In a more somber moment, Raffoul dedicated a rendition of ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ by the Rolling Stones, to the memory of former Bad Apples bandmate Steve Impens.