Air Products' Rock Band to Play Final Shows Next Month

The Difference, Air Products’ award-winning rock and roll band, will take its final bows when it performs the last two shows of its storied career Sept. 8, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m., at the Musikfest Café.  

A limited number of public tickets will be available for free for both shows on a first-come basis starting at 10 a.m. Thursday.  

Tickets are limited to one pair (two tickets) per person and may be reserved online only at www.artsquest.org. The 7:30 p.m. show is also being recorded by Service Electric Cable TV for broadcast later this fall.

Since Fortune magazine named The Difference “Best Corporate Rock Band in America” in 2001, the band has played over 300 concerts, recorded four studio albums, and helped to raise more than $700,000 for charities throughout the United States, according to an Air Products news release.

The Difference has even shared the stage with rock stars, such as long-time Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto and 38 Special guitarist Jeff Carlisi.

“A company that allows a rock and roll band to represent it is a great company because, I believe, that music is a team builder – even more than sports,” DeVitto said.

The band is calling it quits because drummer and vocalist Sal Nicrone is retiring, the company news release said. Air Products and ArtsQuest will pay tribute to Nicrone and fellow band members Joe Hilgar (bass guitar, keyboards, vocals), Ed McKendry (lead guitar, vocals), Jim “J.T.” Meyer (lead guitar and vocals) and Terry Wetzel (sound technician) when they sponsor two free thank you concerts by the band.

Through their music, the band has supported various non-profit organizations and causes, including the Special Olympics, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Diabetes Foundation, American Heart Association and many local charities.

In addition, The Difference has recorded four charitable albums – “Rockin’ for Charities” (2001); “Anything at All…for Charity” (2003); “Grow” (2005), titled in tribute and dedicated to founding member Barry Grow, who died of cancer in 2003; and “Songs I Always Wanted to Do with a Band” (2008), titled in tribute and dedicated to founding band member Steve Eck, who died of cancer in 2007.