Quiet Riot – Batavia, NY

Quiet Riot proved Friday night at Batavia Downs that great rock songs never lose their impact. With Rudy Sarzo still playing at an incredible level, Jizzy Pearl leading the charge, and a set packed with classics including “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health (Bang Your Head),” the Rockin the Downs Summer Concert Series turned into a celebration of one of hard rock’s most enduring catalogs.

Friday night’s installment of the Rockin’ the Downs Summer Concert Series at Batavia Downs welcomed Quiet Riot for an evening that celebrated one of hard rock’s most recognizable catalogs. While the NY crowd may have been lighter than expected, those who turned out created an atmosphere that felt much larger, responding to every familiar riff with enthusiasm. More than four decades after helping define the Sunset Strip era, Quiet Riot continues to honor its legacy with a lineup featuring bass icon Rudy Sarzo alongside guitarist Alex Grossi, vocalist Jizzy Pearl, and drummer Johnny Kelly.

The band wasted little time getting the night underway, opening with “Run for Cover.” It was an immediate burst of energy that made one thing clear. Quiet Riot remains fully invested in every performance. The chemistry between the four musicians was evident from the opening moments, each member settling comfortably into a role that kept the set moving at a steady pace.

At 75 years old, Rudy Sarzo continues to defy expectations. There is nothing restrained about his presence on stage as he moved effortlessly from one side of the platform to the other, engaging fans while never sacrificing the accuracy of his playing. His bass tone carried both weight and definition, locking tightly with Johnny Kelly’s drumming to create a sturdy foundation throughout the evening. Equipped with a polka dotted pickguard reminiscent of Randy Rhoads, Sarzo’s performance was both technically refined and visually engaging, reinforcing why he remains one of rock’s most respected bass players.

Jizzy Pearl handled vocal duties with ease, balancing the grit required for Quiet Riot’s classic material while making each song feel natural rather than forced. His voice retained plenty of bite throughout the evening, particularly during an intense rendition of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” where his range and stamina stood out. Pearl also took the opportunity to revisit his own history with a spirited performance of Love/Hate’s “Blackout in the Red Room,” a welcome addition that fit seamlessly alongside the band’s classic material.

Alex Grossi approached the evening with the mindset of a player focused on serving the songs while still finding opportunities to make them his own. His rhythm work remained crisp and consistent, while his lead playing blended melody with tasteful flashes of speed. Whether recreating Rhoads’ celebrated parts or adding subtle touches of his own personality, Grossi struck a balance between honoring the band’s history and keeping the performance feeling current.

Behind the kit, Johnny Kelly provided the steady heartbeat of the show. His drumming was powerful without becoming overpowering, driving each song with a confident sense of timing and control. Kelly’s experience was evident in the way he shifted naturally between straight ahead rock grooves and the more energetic moments that demanded extra intensity, allowing the band to maintain momentum from beginning to end.

One of the evening’s most meaningful moments came during “Thunderbird.” Originally written as a tribute to the founding guitarist following his tragic death in 1982, the song was dedicated not only to Rhoads but also to Kevin DuBrow, Frankie Banali, and Ozzy Osbourne. It was a heartfelt acknowledgement of the musicians whose contributions remain woven into Quiet Riot’s story, giving the performance an emotional weight that resonated throughout the venue.

The remainder of the set balanced fan favorites with deeper cuts, including “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” “I Can’t Hold On,” “Sign of the Times,” “Love’s a Bitch,” and “Condition Critical.”

As the show entered its closing moments, “Let’s Get Crazy” grew into an extended jam that gave each musician room to stretch out. Grossi stepped forward with a fluid guitar solo before weaving in snippets of “Crazy Train,” while Kelly tipped his hat to his years with Type O Negative through a brief tease of “Black No. 1 (Little Miss Scare All).” Without breaking the momentum, the band launched into “Cum On Feel the Noize,” instantly turning the venue into one massive singalong. There was only one way to close the night after that. “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” sent hands into the air, heads nodding in unison, and fans shouting the words back at the stage. It was a fitting finale that celebrated the songs which transformed Quiet Riot from a hardworking Los Angeles band into one of the defining names of 1980s hard rock.

setlist :

• Run for Cover
• Slick Black Cadillac
• Mama Weer All Crazee Now
• I Can’t Hold On
• Sign of the Times
• Love’s a Bitch
• Condition Critical
• Thunderbird
• Party All Night
• Breathless
• Blackout in the Red Room { Love/Hate cover }
• The Wild and the Young
• Let’s Get Crazy / Crazy Train / Guitar Solo / Eruption / Black No. 1 / Let’s Get Crazy
• Highway to Hell
• Cum On Feel the Noize
• Metal Health (Bang Your Head)