The Numbers Band marks 40th milestone

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

The Numbers Band has been together for 40 years and will mark the milestone with a concert Saturday at Kent Stage.

The jazzy art-rock band (official name: 15 60 75) has garnered reams of critical praise in the four decades since it formed in Kent. Its loyal fanbase extends throughout Northeast Ohio — and far beyond.

But after all those years, the band comprised of brothers Robert and Jack Kidney, Terry Hynde, Frank Casamento and Frank Reynolds takes nothing for granted.

They never expected to make it 40, said guitarist-vocalist Robert Kidney. “We did a 35-year concert in 2005 because I didn’t think we would have a 40-year concert,” Kidney told The Vindicator. “Thirty-five years seemed like a big number and I did not think 40 would be possible. Then all of a sudden, 40 years was staring me in the face and I couldn’t let it go by. I had to do another show.”

Kidney called the milestone “overwhelming, humbling. It’s an honor, after 40 years, to be able to play music that we compose ourselves and have people come to hear it. In the end, after all, the only reason we still exist is because of the people.”

Fans who attend Saturday’s show might be in for an extra-long feast, as the band will give a retrospective sketch of its 40-year body of work.

“For the 35th anniversary show we played four hours, nonstop,” said Kidney. “Many musicians came from different parts of the country and different parts of Ohio to play with the band again. This time, the band will come out first and play for an hour or more, then we will start bringing musicians out to play. We will be covering some older songs and material from our recent CD [2009’s ‘Inward City’]. We will also cover some favorites.”

While the Numbers Band hasn’t played a Youngstown gig in several months, two shows are in the planning stage in September and October.

Also on the horizon is a solo album to be released this year by Jack Kidney, while Robert Kidney will be heading to New York to perform with the Golden Palominos.

The band will eventually release a CD of live performances from its 35- and 40-year anniversary concerts.

“We will also try to do another new Numbers Band CD,” said Robert Kidney, adding “I also have some solo recordings that will end up on a CD.”