11 Musical Tribute Bands You’ve Got to Hear

Can't catch your favorite band? Give a listen to these 11 incredible tributes.

You still love their music, but miss seeing the original band. No worries. These 11 New Jersey-based tribute acts pay homage to classic rock and pop artists with meticulous recreations of their songs, look and attitude. Proving once again that rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay.

Photo courtesy of Alive! 75.

Photo courtesy of Alive! 75.

Alive! 75
Tribute to: KISS
Based in: Newton
Year began: 2014
Number of songs: 18-20
Showstopper: Deuce, Let Me Go Rock ‘N Roll
The Look: Full KISS make-up, clothes and set.
Schtick: Recreate the entire Alive! album from 1975
Ever meet the originals?: No
Upcoming NJ gigs: July 30, House of Independents, Asbury Park.

Photo courtesy of The B Street Band.

Photo courtesy of The B Street Band.

The B Street Band
Tribute to: Bruce Springsteen
Based in: Wall Township
Year began: 1980
Number of songs: 25-40
Showstopper: Rosalita
The Look: Early 1980s E Street Band.
Schtick: Jersey Shore guys play the Boss. They claim more than 5,500 performances.
Ever meet the originals?: Yes—and Springsteen has given them the okay to perform outside his shows.
Upcoming NJ gigs: June and July, Sunday nights, Jenkinson’s, Point Pleasant Beach; Thursday nights, Golden Nugget, Atlantic City.

Photo courtesy of Beatles Faux Sale.

Photo courtesy of Beatles Faux Sale.

Beatles Faux Sale
Tribute to: The Beatles
Based in: Garfield
Year began: 2008
Number of songs: 30-35
Showstopper: Hey Jude!
The Look: Dress in Beatles clothes from all eras.
Schtick: Replicating the Beatles, including British accents, Beatle boots and correct instruments.
Upcoming NJ gigs: July 31, Franklin Avenue stage, Seaside Heights.

Photo courtesy of Best of the Eagles.

Photo courtesy of Best of the Eagles.

Best of the Eagles
Tribute to: The Eagles
Based in: Princeton
Year began: 2013
Number of songs: 25-30
Showstopper: John Bushnell (as singer/guitarist Joe Walsh)
The Look: “We naturally appear like the Eagles, similar dress and look.”
Schtick: Pedal steel guitar; some obscure Eagles songs.
Ever meet the originals?: Don Henley (“He was very nice.”)
Upcoming NJ gigs: June 21, House of Independents, Asbury Park.

Photo courtesy of Danny V's 52nd Street Band.

Photo courtesy of Danny V’s 52nd Street Band.

Danny V’s 52nd Street Band
Tribute to: Billy Joel
Based in: Burlington
Year began: 1994
Number of songs: 20-30
Showstopper: Piano Man
The Look: 80’s Innocent Man with sunglasses and tie.
Schtick: Mingle with audience; capture Joel’s attitude.
Ever meet the original?: Danny V was on the stage crew when Joel performed at his school, Albright College, in 1974. (“He was very self-assured, confident.”)
Upcoming NJ gigs: July 8, Keenan’s Irish Pub, North Wildwood; July 12, Huyler Park, Tenafly.

Photo courtesy of Kashmir.

Photo courtesy of Kashmir.

Kashmir
Tribute to: Led Zeppelin
Based in: Highland Lakes
Number of songs: 20
Showstopper: Babe, I’m Gonna Leave You
The Look: True to the original, right down to Robert Plant’s golden locks.
Schtick: Emulate a live Led Zeppelin show.
Ever meet the originals?: No
Upcoming NJ gigs: July 16, Golden Nugget, Atlantic City.

Photo courtesy of Neil and the Diamonds.

Photo courtesy of Neil and the Diamonds.

Neil and the Diamonds
Tribute to: Neil Diamond
Based in: Secaucus
Year began: 2008
Number of songs: 25-30
Showstopper: Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show
The Look: Neil in eyeliner and shiny shirt.
Schtick: Self-deprecating humor.
Ever meet the original?: No
Upcoming NJ gigs: August 11, Buchmuller Park, Secaucus.

Photo courtesy of The Royal Scam.

Photo courtesy of The Royal Scam.

The Royal Scam
Tribute to: Steely Dan
Based in: Montclair
Year began: 1994
Number of songs: 20-30
Showstopper: Aja
The Look: Not Steely Dan, but cool and sharp.
Schtick: Sound like the record.
Ever meet the originals?: Yes, some. (“They said we did not take any shortcuts.”)
Upcoming NJ gigs: July 23, Darress Theatre, Boonton; August 13, Salem Roadhouse Café, Union; September 24, Trumpet’s, Montclair.

Photo courtesy of Starman.

Photo courtesy of Starman.

Starman
Tribute to: David Bowie
Based in: Bridgewater
Year began: 2014
Number of songs: 15-30
Showstopper: Let’s Dance
The Look: Lead singer Johwie “Bowie” Lisa represents each Bowie period during the course of the show.
Schtick: Recreate older material in character.
Ever meet the original?: No
Upcoming NJ gigs: June 24, Linden Amphitheatre, Linden; July 17,  Roxy and Duke’s, Dunellen; August 27, Mexicali Live, Teaneck.

Photo courtesy of Touch of Grey.

Photo courtesy of Touch of Grey.

Touch of Grey
Tribute to: The Grateful Dead
Based in: Mendham
Year began: 2014
Number of songs: 24
Showstopper: Help On the Way-Slipknot-Franklin’s Tower
The Look: Emulate the Dead as much as possible.
Schtick: Plenty of drum solos, but the focus is on accurate recreations of Dead songs.
Ever meet the originals?: No
Upcoming NJ Gigs: June 24, Poor Henry’s Pub & Restaurant, Montville; July 14, George and Martha’s American Grille, Morristown; July 15, The Mason Jar, Mahwah.

Photo courtesy of Tusk.

Photo courtesy of Tusk.

Tusk
Tribute to: Fleetwood Mac
Based in: Clinton
Year began: 2006
Number of songs: 25
Showstopper: Rhiannon, with a long guitar solo; Don’t Stop sing-along.
The Look: Fleetwood Mac, circa 1975-79.
Schtick: Two of the members are teachers; they often invite students on stage.
Ever meet the originals?: Drummer Tom Nelson met Mick Fleetwood at a Fleetwood Mac show. (“He thought it was cool.”)
Upcoming NJ gigs: June 25, Harry Wright Lake, Manchester Township; July 8, Summer Concert Series on the Beach, Seaside Heights.

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