Bill Janovitz and Mike Gent paying tribute to the Rolling Stones at The Burren on Saturday, February 25. ~ Photos by Mina Rose Morales

By Mina Rose Morales

Bill Janovitz and his band member’s tribute to the Rolling Stones on Saturday, February 25, at The Burren brought nostalgic fans back to a Stones concert.

Janovitz is the founding member of Buffalo Tom. His acoustic residency with friends and family at The Burren Backroom Series morphed into a tribute to the Rolling Stones. He joined musicians Mike Gent, Phil Aiken, Matt Tahaney, and Chris Anzalone to honor them.

“I’ve been a Stones fan since I was a kid,” said Janovitz, “The Stones are like water to me … like sustenance.”

Chris Anzalone and Matt Tahaney playing their instruments.

Janovitz’s vocals resembled Mick Jagger’s rich bass notes, screams, and squeals. Mike Gent’s voice also almost mimicked Jagger’s. Bass player Tahaney’s thin, high vocals also resembled Jagger’s.

“I should know the lyrics to this, but I don’t,” said Gent to the audience. The crowd laughed and cheered at his comment. Some told their neighbors how they went to rock concerts in the 60s and 70s.

The audience cheered more when Janovitz and Gent announced they were singing You Can’t Always Get What You Want next. Janovitz sung the London Bach Choir intro while asking the audience to reach the thin high notes. The crowd following Janovitz request and Gent’s encouragement. 

The band finished the show with the Stone’s Midnight Ramble. Janovitz took out his harmonica to play during the song. The band progressively took the audience home as their beats got faster. The crowd stomping their feet following Anzalone’s drums. Tahaney sweating while playing his bass guitar. Their wedding rings occasionally showing while they played their instruments.

“Thank you for coming out,” said Janovitz and Gent.

Bill Janovitz and the band will perform at the Cotuit Center for the Arts on Sunday, July 2.