The Contrails to Perform at Taste of Brookline

A band that had one of Pittsburgh’s biggest hits in the 1960s is based in Brookline, and they’ve got a show coming up.

The Contrails—perhaps best known for their Top 40 hit “Someone”—will perform at the food tour in April.

Jack Stanizzo, a founding member of The Contrails, also is a member of South Pittsburgh Development Corporation, which is organizing the event.

Stanizzo’s training is in interior and architectural design—he now works as a contractor and building inspector—but music was always a constant presence, regardless of what else he was working toward.

“Music was something I wanted to do my whole life as a profession, but it’s just so hard to make money in it,” he said. “All through my life as I made changes, I always performed when I could.”

The Contrails formed in 1964, and two years later the band wrote and released the ballad “Someone” on the West Coast Ruben label. It wasn’t released in Pittsburgh at first because the band worried it wouldn’t get enough air time if it had to compete with other local groups. But when the song was picked up by the Diamond label, became a Top 40 hit and sold two million copies, it also became a top-five favorite in Pittsburgh.

Two other songs, “Why Do I” and “Make Me Love,” also did well in the area.

The Contrails toured for 20 years, often with bands that still receive significant radio air time: Chicago, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Blood Sweat and Tears, Three Dog Night, Grand Funk Railroad, the Temptations and others.

“There was so much camaraderie back then,” Stanizzo said. “Everybody watched everybody perform. You didn’t even know who was headlining.”

Stanizzo said he misses being on the road. The Contrails performed twice in the Civic Arena, and Stanizzo said not much compares to standing on stage in front of 15,000 screaming fans.

“I didn’t appreciate it enough then,” Stanizzo said. “It was a lot of work. It’s really a lot of work to be on tour like that.”

The Contrails still perform locally, mainly in venues throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio. Stanizzo said he doesn’t think he’ll tour nationally again, but wouldn’t mind writing songs for other artists.

Stanizzo and guitarist Paul Lowe performed last week at in Brookline, and will perform at Taste of Brookline next month.

tickets are now available. The $25 tour tickets include food, drinks and music. Proceeds will help SPDC with community revitalization efforts.

If you’re going:

• What: Taste of Brookline Food Tour.
• When: April 29, from 6 to 9 p.m.
• Where: Ritz Banquet Hall, 736 Brookline Blvd.
• Cost: Tickets are $25 per person.

For more information, see the Taste of Brookline website.