Great Wide Open celebrates Tom Petty's birthday with a special tribute show and party at Buffalo Iron Works on Saturday, October 17th!

Great Wide Open:

Great Wide Open brings together five seasoned Buffalo-area musicians whose combined experience spans decades of live performance, recording, and countless local stages. Mark Slimko, on lead vocals and guitar, began playing at age eight and has performed with numerous Western New York bands, while his lifelong passion for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers makes him a natural fit for the band’s sound. Lead guitarist and backing vocalist Jeff Kocher began his musical journey at seven and has spent decades developing a powerful guitar style influenced by artists such as Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Paul Gilbert, and of course Mike Campbell. Bassist and backing vocalist Mike Schill is a 45-year veteran of the Buffalo music scene, having performed with a long list of local bands and bringing a deep groove influenced by players including Pino Palladino and John Entwistle. Keyboardist, harmonica player, and backing vocalist Bruce Decker has nearly 50 years of experience performing throughout the Buffalo area and is a multiple-time Nightlife Buffalo Music Awards winner for Top Keyboardist. Drummer and backing vocalist Bill Solak, who started playing at age eight, is known for his solid, straight-ahead, “in the pocket” style and has performed with a wide variety of Western New York musicians and groups. Together, these five accomplished musicians combine decades of experience, a genuine love of live music, and a deep appreciation for the timeless sound and spirit of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Buffalo Iron Works

49 Illinois St, Buffalo, NY 14203

Doors: 7:00pm

Show: 8:00pm

Ages: 18+

All-In Pricing Notice

In accordance with New York State law, all ticketed events must display the total price of admission upfront — including all fees, charges, and taxes. This means the price you see listed is the final price you’ll pay. No hidden fees, no surprises at checkout — just full transparency from the start.