Nazareth w/ Special Guest Steelheart
May 31, 2025 • 8:00 pm - 9:45 pm
DOORS 6:00pm • All Ages
Nazareth, the Scottish hard rock band that rose to prominence in the 1970s, owes much of its signature sound to the powerful vocals of Dan McCafferty. Known for his raspy, blues-tinged voice, McCafferty was one of the key driving forces behind the band’s success and played a significant role in shaping its identity.
Dan McCafferty and Pete Agnew shared a lifelong friendship that began long before the formation of Nazareth. Both born and raised in Dunfermline, Scotland, they played together in local bands before founding Nazareth in 1968. Their deep bond and mutual respect were the foundation upon which the band was built, with McCafferty’s distinctive voice and Agnew’s steady bass driving Nazareth’s sound for decades. Together, they weathered the ups and downs of the music industry, from early struggles to international stardom with hits like “Love Hurts” and “Hair of the Dog.”
After the passing of drummer Darrell Sweet in 1999, Pete’s son Lee Agnew joined Nazareth as the new drummer. Lee, having grown up around the band, naturally integrated into the group, bringing fresh energy while honoring the legacy his father helped establish. Guitarist Jimmy Murrison, who joined in 1994, has since become Nazareth’s longest-serving guitarist. His powerful, riff-driven style has been key in keeping the band’s signature hard rock sound alive. Together, McCafferty, Pete Agnew, Lee Agnew, and Murrison formed a tight-knit unit that carried Nazareth through the 2000s and beyond, with McCafferty retiring in 2013 but leaving an enduring legacy alongside his lifelong friend Pete.
Early Days and Formation
Dan McCafferty, born William Daniel McCafferty on October 14, 1946, in Dunfermline, Scotland, co-founded Nazareth in 1968 alongside guitarist Manny Charlton, bassist Pete Agnew, and drummer Darrell Sweet. McCafferty’s distinctive vocal style was integral to Nazareth’s gritty yet melodic sound, which set them apart from many contemporaries. As the band’s popularity grew, they continued to develop their hard rock identity, with each new member adding their own flavor.
Breakthrough Success
Nazareth gained international recognition with their 1973 album Razamanaz, produced by Deep Purple’s Roger Glover. The record featured hard-hitting tracks like “Broken Down Angel” and “Bad Bad Boy,” with McCafferty’s voice taking center stage. His range and raw emotional delivery became synonymous with Nazareth’s biggest hits.
Their cover of “Love Hurts,” released in 1975, catapulted them to even greater fame. McCafferty’s aching, gravelly vocals gave the song a poignant edge, helping it become a worldwide hit. His voice conveyed a sense of longing and heartache that resonated with millions.
Billy Rankin: New Band Member in the 1980’s
Billy Rankin joined Nazareth in 1980, initially replacing Zal Cleminson as the band’s guitarist. He first played on the album The Fool Circle (1981), which marked a stylistic shift for the band as they experimented with more diverse sounds. Rankin’s addition to the group helped rejuvenate Nazareth during a time when the band was transitioning into the new decade and dealing with the changing musical landscape.
After a brief departure from the band, Rankin returned in 1982 and played a more central role on the 1983 album Sound Elixir. The album featured a more radio-friendly, melodic rock sound, which showcased Rankin’s versatility as a guitarist. Songs like “Where Are You Now” demonstrated his ability to blend rock riffs with a softer, more polished sound, bringing a new energy to the band.
Rankin’s work with Nazareth continued until 1984, when he left to pursue a solo career. During his time with the band, he made notable contributions that helped Nazareth remain relevant in a rapidly evolving rock scene.
McCafferty’s Unique Voice and Billy Rankin’s Impact
Dan McCafferty’s voice remained the focal point of Nazareth’s sound throughout the band’s various lineups. Often compared to Rod Stewart and Bon Scott of AC/DC, McCafferty’s vocal style was raw, emotional, and packed with grit. His performances on iconic tracks like “Hair of the Dog” and “This Flight Tonight” highlighted his powerful range and intensity.
Billy Rankin’s guitar work brought a fresh dynamic to the band during his tenure. His contributions helped Nazareth navigate the 1980s, a time when many classic rock bands struggled to stay relevant. Rankin’s influence on albums like Sound Elixir and The Fool Circle showed his ability to push the band in new directions, keeping their sound fresh while respecting their hard rock roots.
Challenges and McCafferty’s Retirement
After decades of touring and recording, McCafferty faced health challenges. In 2013, he announced his retirement from live performances due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Despite this, McCafferty remained a beloved figure in the rock world, and his contributions to the band continued to be celebrated. He officially stepped down as Nazareth’s lead vocalist after 45 years, marking the end of an era for the group.
Solo Work and Final Years
McCafferty also released solo material, including the albums Dan McCafferty (1975) and Into the Ring (1987), which showcased his versatility outside Nazareth. Meanwhile, Billy Rankin found success in his solo endeavors, with the hit single “Baby Come Back” from his 1989 album Growin’ Up Too Fast.
Even after stepping away from the stage, McCafferty remained active in the music scene and recorded Last Testament in 2019, a fitting end to a legendary career. Rankin, too, remains an admired figure in rock, known for his energetic guitar work and contribution to Nazareth’s evolving sound.
Dan McCafferty and Billy Rankin
Dan McCafferty passed away on November 8, 2022, but his influence on rock music and Nazareth’s success is undeniable. Billy Rankin’s time with the band added another layer to their rich history, helping them navigate new eras of rock music while maintaining their signature edge.
Together, McCafferty and Rankin played pivotal roles in shaping Nazareth’s identity. McCafferty’s unforgettable voice and Rankin’s fresh guitar riffs ensured the band’s place in rock history. Their legacy continues to resonate with fans, old and new, around the world.
STEELHEART
MILJENKO MATIJEVIC
Lead singer and Founder
Who Is Miljenko Matijevic?
Born Miljenko Matijevic on November 30, 1964, in Zagreb, Croatia. He moved to America, with his family, at the young age of six, and began crafting his singing voice. Miljenko knew in his early teens he wanted to be a rock star. He joined a newly formed band named “Red Alert” in the 1980’s who later changed the name to “SteelHeart”. SteelHeart became popular for the multi-octave range of Miljenko’s singing voice, well- crafted melodies, power ballads as well as heavy hitting, hard driving, edgy guitar riffs. Miljenko also was the voice of Mark Wahlberg’s character Chris “Iggy” Cole in the movie Rock Star.
Music Career:
At age nine Miljenko began singing in the church choir, and playing country music such as Johnny Cash, and John Denver. However at age eleven he was introduced to Led Zeppelin; that is when his musical journey began to come alive. When Miljenko was thirteen years old he formed a band name “Teaser”, playing covers tunes as well as original music. Despite much interest by producer Morgan Walker, “Teaser” fizzled out.
Miljenko joined a band called “The Mission”, at the age of fifteen. He worked very closely with the leader of the band, Elliot Lewis, (who later became a member of “The Average White Band”). Miljenko was now equipped with studio and writing experience.
Miljenko, now sixteen years old, joined up with James Ward (Bassist), Chris Risola (Guitar), and Jack Wilkinson (Drums), “Red Alert” was formed. Jack was eventually replaced by John Fowler (Drums), Frank Di Costanzo (Rhythm) was added to form a five-piece.
Right after high school Miljenko attended college to major in mechanical engineering. During his second year of college it dawned on him… “I was meant to be a singer”, so Miljenko promptly tossed his books out the second story window and focused all his time and energy on the band.
After completing a five song demo, Miljenko, Jimmy Ward and Miljenko’s friend John Belmont travelled to Los Angeles, with one thing in mind… to get a record deal. Within a month they had secured a new manager and a record deal with MCA. Band ultimately changed name from “Red Alert” to “SteelHeart”.
Commercial Success:
SteelHeart’s self titled debut album ‘SteelHeart’ was released in 1990, bringing them almost immediate commercial success, with critics comparing their forceful hard rock sound to Led Zeppelin’s. Since then, Miljenko and band-mates have showcased their broad influences and the raw strength of his vocals; their sound drawing comparisons to hard rock and pop metal greats like Ratt and Whitesnake. The original line up included Miljenko Matijevic (Vox, Guitar, Piano), Chris Risola (Guitar), Frank Di Costanzo (Guitar), James Ward (Bass), and John Fowler (Drums). The guys found themselves hitting the big time as their first album reached #40 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1990, the band’s fan-base growing swiftly around the world. “SteelHeart” sold 33,000 albums on its first day in Japan alone. Before long, the album hit platinum – and its power ballad, “She’s Gone,” hit #1 on the international charts, staying there 17 weeks. The second single, “I’ll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)” reached #14 on the Billboard charts. Another song, “Can’t Stop Me Loving’ You” further showcased Miljenko’s vocal range, but this time, Risola’s lead guitar skills were also noticed.
SteelHeart’s next effort album-wise, “Tangled In Reins,” released July 10, 1992, had a more mixed eclectic song style. With heavy hitting, hard driving songs like “Loaded Mutha”, “SteelHeart”, “Electric Love Child”, and fun loving “Sticky Side Up,” to tear jerking ballads such as “Mama Don’t You Cry.” to name a few. The song, “SteelHeart” featured Miljenko hitting the highest note of his song catalogue. While the ballad “Mama Don’t You Cry” charted #1 in many East Asian Countries, including Hong Kong, prompting their live unplugged performance in Hong Kong followed by an extensive unplugged tour of Asia in September, 1992. The album did not reap the same commercial success as StealHeart’s debut album, reaching only #144 on Billboard charts, signaling the grunge-sound invasion was starting to take force in the music business.
Miljenko’s Stage Accident:
Steelheart was asked by heavy metal band Slaughter to perform a show with them on Oct. 31, 1992, Halloween night. This was to be the 50th show of Steelheart’s last leg of the tour. It turned out to be momentous in a way they didn’t expect as tragedy struck. While performing “Dancing in the Fire,” from their “Tangled in Reins” album, Miljenko decided to climb a lighting truss, which was improperly secured, forever changing the lives of Steelheart and their fans. Trying to dodge the massive rig without success, the 1000 pound truss hit the back of his head – hard – driving one of the greatest vocalists of all time face first into the stage: breaking his nose, cheekbone, jaw and twisting his spine.
SteelHeart Reboot:
In 1996, after much physical rehabilitation, Miljenko formed a new version of SteelHeart: Kenny Kanowski (guitars), Vincent Mele (bass) and Alex Makarovich (drums) – to record and release the album “Wait.” This album was very different to the previous two. The single “Wait” went #1 in many Asian countries, & the song “We All Die Young” was later used in the 2001 Mark Wahlberg / Jennifer Aniston film, “ROCK STAR.”
In 2008, Miljenko released “Good 2B Alive,” which he wrote, produced and engineered with producer Kit Woolen. March 16, 2017 SteelHeart signed a new record deal with Italian label “Frontiers Records”. Miljenko wrote and produced SteelHeart’s latest album “Through Worlds of Stardust”, which was released by Frontiers Records on September 6, 2017. Miljenko produced, directed and starred in two music videos, “Lips Of Rain” and “You Got Me Twisted” both songs are cut from the latest album “Through Worlds of Stardust”. The album and videos earned rave reviews from fans and critics alike.
Other Projects:
• Miljenko played a huge part in the ROCK STAR (2001) movie by lending his voice to Mark Wahlberg’s character Chris Cole in a Steel Dragon cover band and later as his alter ego Chris “Iggy” Cole of Steel Dragon.
• In 2010 Miljenko joined Ray Manzerak and Robby Krieger as the lead singer transcending the late Jim Morrison of “The Doors”. Two remarkable tours performing theatres and festivals throughout the US and Europe including a 52 piece orchestra in London, Dublin and Wolverhampton with “The Royal Phil Harmonic Orchestra”. Miljenko delivered a remarkable performance every night with rave reviews.
• Performing on several continents such as Europe, Asia and North America. Early January 2016, Miljenko was in Korea for six months – a country where he’s a super star – performing on various TV shows, festivals including The Dream concert. Miljenko is the only foreign artist ever to perform this concert to a 60,000 audience strong and televised to many countries. Miljenko’s’ performance that night received outstanding reviews with the whole stadium singing the chorus alone. He also penned two songs, one late 2015 and another early 2016, for two of OST Korea tv’s top hit dramas, “My Love Is Gone” and “Stay.” Miljenko then took just one week off from touring/playing Korea to join three festivals in the US and perform at the Hollywood Bowl for the sold- out Los Angeles Korean Times Music Festival on May 7th 2016
JOE PESSIA
Guitar
Hailing from Boston, MA, Joe started playing guitar in his early teens inspired by The Beatles, AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Queen.
Playing in bands throughout high school lead him to attending Berklee College of Music in Boston where he graduated with a degree in Professional Music. As a member of the bands Dramagods – with Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme / Rihanna, Tantric, the platinum selling band with albums produced by Toby Wright of Alice In Chains fame, and Hurtsmile – featuring Gary Cherone of Extreme and formerly of Van Halen, and currently Steelheart, Joe has toured the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia and performed on national television programs like The Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Joe has shared stages with the likes of Perry Farrell of Janes Addiction, Mike Mangini of Dream Theater, George Lynch of Dokken, Michael Anthony of Van Halen, Warren DeMartini of Ratt and has opened for artists such as Alice in Chains, Sammy Hagar, Bret Michaels, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck, YES, and Judas Priest.
Joe has also collaborated on various albums as a guitarist, bassist, co-writer co-producer, and engineer. His music has been used by ESPN, The NHL, MLB, and on the video game ‘MLB-2K10’ featuring former Tampa Bay Ray’s 3rd baseman Evan Longoria as his walk up music.