Popular Canadian Band Coming To Batavia, New York

April Wine, one of the most popular Canadian bands, has always had a strong Western New York following - beginning in its earliest touring days in the 1970s. April Wine was one of the bands that shared a July 1978 bill with The Rolling Stones at what was then Rich Stadium (now Highmark Stadium).

“Growing up, I remember listening to KB and Joey Reynolds,” recalled Greenway, 72, and a 47-year member with April Wine.

The Batavia Downs show is April Wine’s first local concert in the past few years.

“We do love the Buffalo area,” Greenway said.

Greenway, April Wine’s lead guitarist, said fans of the band should expect a highly energetic performance.

The show will be the band’s first in Western New York with new lead singer/guitar player Marc Parent, who joined April Wine two years ago to replace founder Myles Goodwin. Goodwin died last year.

“It’s kind of a rebirth,” Greenway said of Parent joining April Wine. “In a way, he has helped revitalize our show.”

Greenway said Parent bears an uncanny resemblance to Goodwin - both as a singer and musician. The transition has been seamless.

“Myles is the right guy and at the right time,” Greenway said. "He is exactly what we were looking for and found. There are times when I have took over because Marc sounds so much like Myles.”

April Wine remains a quartet. Besides Greenway and Parent, the band includes bass player Richard Lanthier and drummer Roy “Nip” Nichol. Both Nichol and Lanthier have been with April Wine for 14 years.

Greenway said April Wine tries to stay true to its sound, so fans recognize such hits as “Just Like You and Me”, “Signs of a Gypsy Queen” and “You Won’t Dance With Me.”

“I think it is important to play the songs the way people - our fans - remember them,” Greenway said. “Can you imagine seeing Led Zeppelin and not see a Jimmy Page guitar solo on ‘Stairway to Heaven’?”

Greenway said all four April Wine members put their “hearts and feelings” into each note.

“We owe that to our fans,” Greenway. “Music, to me, is what happens between all the notes."

The band is in the middle of a summer tour that included two late June dates opening for the Steve Miller Band in London, Ontario.

April Wine has 31 dates booked this year. Greenway said they’d like to play as many as 50 or 60 shows next year.

No way is April Wine slowing down.

“Hey, we are only one year into our new lineup,” Greenway said.