Erie County Fair Blog

The Four Tops will perform a FREE concert (with gate admission) on Wednesday, August 18^th at 7:30 PM on the Buffalo.com Grandstand at the Erie County Fair.

Originally named The Four Aims, when they began their career while in high school in Detroit, MI.  In 1956 The Four Aims changed their name to the Four Tops, so not to be confused with the Aims Brothers, when they signed with Chess Records. The first # 1 hit was “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” in 1965 and “Reach Out I’ll Be There” for the Motown label.  Other songs are, It’s the Same Old Song” is a 1965 hit single recorded for the Motown,  “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)“, 1973 hit single for the ABC/Dunhill record label.

This group has received many accolades including an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990  and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999; additionally in 2004 Rolling Stone Magazine ranked them 79th on their list of 100 greatest artists of all time. And in 2005, the Four Tops were inducted into Michigan’s Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

The Four Tops were together from 1953 until 1997 without a single change. The first change came with Lawrence Payton died on 6/20/97. The band continued with just three members under the name of The Tops. In 1998 Theo Peoples (formerly of The Temptations) was recruited for the fourth member of the group.In 2000 Levi Stubbs suffered a stroke (Stubbs died on October 17, 2008), Peoples took over the led singing spot and Ronnie McNier filled Lawrence Payton’s position in the group. When Benson died of lung cancer on July 1, 2005, Payton’s son Roquel Payton replaced Benson.   Since 2006, Fakir, McNeir, Payton and Peoples continue to perform together.  The only original surviving member of the group is Abdul “Duke” Fakir.

Auditions for the 2010 Erie County Fair Pepsi-Cola Marching Band will take place on Monday, June 2 from 5-9pm in the Event (Agri) Center.

All WNY high school students (grades 9-12) that play clarinet, flute, piccolo, saxophone, cymbals, trumpet, bass drum, snare drum, trombone, tuba, bells, french horn, sousaphone, mellophone, quads or euphonium and color guards that are invited to try out for the 2010 season.

 Approximately 80 musicians will be accepted; students need to be available to play at various events during the Erie County Fair, which runs August 11-22, including the Daily Parade and various events throughout the community in July and August.  There will also be rehearsals twice per week in June.

Applications are available at all Erie County High Schools or by calling Russ Marquart at (716) 649-3900 ext 403.  Applications must be submitted to by May 22, 2010 to Erie County Fair, Pepsi Cola Marching Band, 5600 McKinley Parkway, Hamburg, NY 14075.

Make sure you keep August 11 open so that you will be on hand to see one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history perform on the Buffalo.com Grandstand at the Erie County Fair.    

His newest album Thank You Mr. Churchill is due out April 27 and is of an autobiographical nature that takes him back to the beginning, literally.

Tickets will be just $30/$15 and will go on sale at a later date.  Tickets purchased in advance will include free admission to the Fair on the day of the show.   

This year at the Erie County Fair, there will be a new area for Crafters.  The outdoor Craft Area will be open from 10am-10pm daily, set in a small town quaint setting against the backdrop of the Historical Building. 

We are looking to feature crafters of homemade arts and crafts including, but not limited to, jewelry, personlized bibs, hand blown glass, home decor and even items for pets.

We are offering a very reasonable booth fee for any crafter wishing to be a ground breaker for this exciting new area.  If you are interested in bringing your hand crafted items this year, click here for more info, email jcammarano@ecfair.org or call (716) 649-3900 ext 402.