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10,000 Maniacs – Thanks For Bringing Us Along For A Wonderful Ride

It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years since 10,000 Maniacs formed in Jamestown.

The band has reached some amazing highs — releasing four albums between 1987 and 1993 that charted in the top 50 in the U.S.: “In My Tribe” in 1987, “Blind Man’s Zoo” in 1989; “Our Time In Eden” in 1992 and the band’s MTV Unplugged album in 1993. 10,000 Maniacs cover of “Because The Night,” a song penned by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, became a ubiquitous staple of music video channels and popular radio radio that reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, the highest-charting version of the song in the United States.

All told, the band has sold more than 10 million albums, with eight Billboard Hot 100 singles, and has made countless appearances on national TV, including Saturday Night Live and The Late Show with David Letterman.

Through lineup changes and the untimely passing of founding band member Rob Buck, 10,000 Maniacs are still here, still touring, still making music and, perhaps most importantly, making a positive impact on their hometown. Dennis Drew helped launch and establish WRFA-LP. Steve Gustafson was instrumental in running the Scharmann Theater at Jamestown Community College. Both have served on several local boards and commissions. Jeff Erickson, too, has been a staple of the local arts community for years.

While 2021 was the actual 40th anniversary of the band’s founding, Saturday was the homecoming concert for 10,000 Maniacs 40th anniversary tour with a sold-out show at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts. Happy anniversary to a group of local musicians who hit the big time but never forgot where they came from. Thanks for inviting your hometown along for what has been one heck of a ride.

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