Rick Ray at Classic Rockstock 8.20.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

The Rick Ray Band (hailing from Painesville, OH) was the first to play on Saturday, with their prowess. Lead guitarist Rick Ray’s  fretwork was simply outstanding, and despite playing to a less-than-capacity crowd, the band undoubtedly made new fans out of everyone who did hear them play that day…

Eric Gales at Classic Rockstock 8.20.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

Eric Gales was next, and the guitar virtuoso showed his prowess through soulful blues riffs and extensive use of the wah pedal, evoking visions of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Jimi Hendrix[/lastfm]. The 36-year-old Gales began playing live at the age of nine and has ten studio albums to his credit, including such hit songs as “Sign of the Storm” and “Paralyzed.”

Katelin Deutsch and Eric Gales at Classic Rockstock 8.20.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

As a former child prodigy, Gales had no problem welcoming 12-year-old bass guitarist Katelin Deutsch to play with him during his set. The pair thrilled the crowd as they performed a rousing rendition of Hendix’s “Voodoo Child.”

Pat Travers at Classic Rockstock 8.20.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Pat Travers[/lastfm] played many of his hits from the 70s and 80s, thrilling the diehard fans who came to see the Canadian singer/guitarist perform. It wasn’t hard to see why Kirk Hammett of [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Metallica[/lastfm] has cited Travers as one of his favorite guitar players!

Crack the Sky at Classic Rockstock 8.20.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

Rounding out Saturday was [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Crack the Sky[/lastfm], who used its trio of guitarists to great effect during extended jams. During the band’s set the Hot Air Balloon Festival was also underway, and Rockstock attendees marveled at the brightly colored balloons soaring above the park as the band rocked the stage.

Blue Öyster Cult at Classic Rockstock 8.21.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

[photogallerylink id=51813 align=left]On Sunday, the theme was 70s, and the night certainly belonged to [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Blue Öyster Cult[/lastfm]. BOC was simply on fire during their set (epitomized in their second song of the set, “Buring For You”), and the crowd responded in kind. The band saved their best for last, and their final song “(Don’t Fear) the Reaper” was indistinguishable from the studio recording except MUCH louder and with an extra dose of metal.

Chuck Negron at Classic Rockstock 8.21.11 (Photo: Carl Harp / WNCX)

[photogallerylink id=51810 align=left] [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Chuck Negron[/lastfm] from [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Three Dog Night[/lastfm] and [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Starz[/lastfm] each rocked the stage on Sunday, and both were well-received by their respective audiences. Negron may not have played a strictly Three Dog Night set, but he had no trouble belting out hits like “One” and “Joy to the World.” Starz, meanwhile, thrilled their devotees with a throwback setlist that included hits like “Detroit Girls.” Some of those devotees traveled long distances just to see Starz – including a pair of fans who made the four-hour drive from Buffalo, NY – dedication, indeed!

Ritchie Ranno and Joe Dube of Starz at Classic Rockstock 8.21.11 (Photo: Gene Natale / WNCX)

In all, a long weekend, but quite the rockin’ time! While many of the bands that played may have been a blast in their respective pasts, each band that played showed that their present (and future) is just as bright.