The Glendale Star
12
July 15, 2021
For more features visit glendalestar.com GlendaleStar.com
/GlendaleStar
Priscilla Rose Band brings rock to Westgate BY JORDAN HOUSTON Glendale Star Staff Writer
From a young age, Priscilla Pinches knew she was enamored by rock ’n’ roll. Now, she’s living her dream as an industry vocalist performing across the West Valley. An East Coast native and Glendale resident, Pinches is a singer and keyboardist for the Priscilla Rose Band. The group, combining a unique blend of classic rock and pop, is largely comprised of Pinches and her Sun City counterpart Rich La Rose, a vocalist and lead guitarist, and at least two other alternating members. “Priscilla and I are the main parts of the band and have been together since the beginning,” La Rose explained. “We have a regular bass player and drummer — sometimes we have to replace them — but we are the mainstays of the band.” The band will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 16, at the Fountain Park stage in the Westgate Entertainment District, located at 6770 N. Sunrise Boulevard. With free admission, Pinches encourages audience members to bring their own seating if they prefer. The venue is also packed with plenty of dining and shopping options, she added. “I would describe us as your favorite dance band,” Pinches said. “That’s what our aim is, to get people dancing and to lighten their hearts and bring them joy.”
La Rose echoes Pinches sentiments, saying the Priscilla Rose Band covers bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. “I like to call it family-friendly rock ’n’ roll,” La Rose added. Pinches and La Rose will be joined at the Westgate Entertainment District by Surprise resident Charles “Spanky” Lake on the drums and vocals and Rich Alfano on the bass. Pinches, a self-described “Army brat,” grew up with a colonel father in the military and spent most of her child-
hood in North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania, she said. Joining her church choir at 6, and then picking up the piano at age 9, she recalls developing a passion for rock ’n’ roll early on. “The beat and the variety of melodies that are available, it’s not all the same. It uses many notes to make common couples, and they don’t seem to repeat,” she said, adding, “They tell a story and they are complex.” Pinches continued to sing for her church choir and play the piano through-
BY GLENDALE STAR STAFF Mobile On-Site Mammography by SimonMed is offering 3D mammogram screenings to encourage early detection in the fight against breast cancer. On July 17, the company will host the screenings at the Fry’s grocery store located at 5771 W. Thunderbird Road
from 1 to 4 p.m. MOM said most insurances will be accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. The screenings will also be offered for a cash fee of $217. MOM offers the newest 3D mammography technology, accompanied by a professional staff that focuses on
patient comfort, care and privacy. Each exam takes only 15 minutes. Screening results are sent to the patients’ health care provider, and they receive notification of the results at their home. Mobile On-Site Mammography has been dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer by providing mo-
From left to right are Charles “Spanky” Lake, drummer and vocalist; Rich La Rose, guitarist and vocalist; Priscilla Pinches, keyboardist and vocalist; and Ray Carter, bassist and vocalist. (Photo courtesy of Priscilla Pinches)
out high school, she said. It wasn’t until her senior year in 1968 that she realized she wanted to pursue rock ’n’ roll professionally. Pinches skipped her school’s prom to attend a Rolling Stones concert in North Carolina, she explained. “I saw Billy Joel’s first gig ever at Appalachian State University in North Carolina,” she said. “I knew when I was in high school and the choir started singing contemporary songs that I wanted to play music for people to sing and dance to.” The aspiring vocalist started teaching vocal and piano lessons before moving to Arizona with her husband, where she continued to teach. In October 2015, she ran into La Rose at a local “jam session” in Surprise for other aspiring musicians. “I finally met Rich at this jam session and I knew I wanted to play in a rock ’n’ roll band — it was my life’s dream,” she said. “I started pretty late, but I had all of this experience behind me.” La Rose, who hails from Upstate New York, was also bitten by the musical bug during his youth. The self-taught guitarist first picked up his brother’s guitar in junior high school after his sibling lost interest, he said. “In the ’70s my brother had a guitar and he lost interest, so I picked it up,” he said. “The first song I learned to play SEE BAND PAGE 13
Fry’s to host 3D mammogram screenings
bile mammography screening serves to women where they work and live, at both the work site and community events, in all 15 counties in Arizona. To schedule an appointment, call 480-967-3767 or 1-800-285-00272. Physician referrals are not required for a screening mammogram.
