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See our Events Page for Upcoming Performances!
The Rillito River Band, a vintage rock n’ roll band,
is a group of musicians who originally met and formed
in a building on the banks of the Rillito River in
Tucson, Arizona . . . from whence floweth their name.
The band mates are all long time Tucsonans whose musical
roots are steeped in the heritage of The Old
Pueblo, in mariachi music, in folk and folk rock music
and primarily in vintage rock. Influences range
from The Beatles to the Rolling Stones, from Creedence
Clearwater Revival to Thin Lizzy, from Van
Morrison to The Eagles , from The Beach Boys to The
Kinks, from The Knack to Tommy James, all of
whose songs you hear at their performances along with a
smattering of originals.
Band mates include Oscar Chavez (lead singer, guitar
and bass) who grew up in Tex-Mex bands and who
has performed for President George W. Bush. Russell Long
(songwriter, harmony vocals, finger-style
guitar and bass) has been in rock, folk, bluegrass and
rock bands including Rocky & His Friends since he
was 14. John McCaleb (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocals
and guitar collector), is one of Tucson’s finest
improvisational lead and finger-style musicians and
brings a bit of a country sound to the set list. Drums
and percussion are provided by master drummer “Cowboy”
Mike Joyal, formerly of the band “The Last
Call Girls”. Oscar and Russell have been inducted into
the Tucson Musicians’ Museum “Hall of Fame”.
Together they make a mellifluous blend of delicate
three and four part harmonies, haunting love songs,
raucous rock n’ roll and enjoy engaging the audience in
their music and humorous antics. Nothing (with
the exception of tightly crafted, fine music) is sacred
when the boys are at the microphones. Watch out,
a good time is to be had by all. The Rillito River Band
plays at local historic venues, for weddings,
dances, private parties, has been featured at The Tucson
Folk Festival, has played with the Tucson Pops
Orchestra, opened for Jim Messina and has played a
variety of benefit concerts, where their
performances are typically sold out. One recent concert
goer said “You jam a lot of entertainment into
three hours”. Well, that’s their goal . . . to have
people enjoy the show and leave in a much better mood
than when they arrived. They are available for your
function by calling Russell Long at 520-529-1116.
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