The Return

The Return is an Ohio-based quartet of veteran musicians specializing in progressive classic rock of the 60s, 70s and 80s.  While earning degrees, raising families and pursuing professional careers, they have never abandoned their love for or involvement in music, playing in various successful acts along life’s way.  With that background, The Return is not a typical band and theirs is not a typical musical tribute show.

For example, in the 1980s, lead guitarist/vocalist, Larry Cesare, helped found and was "George" in the Akron-based "Revolver", one the first Beatles tribute bands which later morphed into the world-renown and still active Beatles band, "1964: The Tribute".  In the 1990s, Larry also played lead guitar for the very popular and still active "British Invasion" tribute band of Columbus, Ohio.  In the 1980s, guitarist/vocalist, Scott Canfield, led "Redcliff" a popular Sandusky-based band that opened for America and The Byrds.  Back in the mid-60s, bassist/vocalist, Ed Gerken, and Larry played in one of the northcoast area's first rock bands known simply as "Us" before playing in various church-based bands in Ohio and North Carolina.  The Return is so named, partly because it represents the band members’ return to their first love of playing great live music, and partly because it inspires audiences to return to the music and times that shaped so many lives.

With a tasty mix of British invasion, vintage pop and “underground” rock, folk rock and country rock, The Return’s shows have something for everyone. Each performance consists of an array of timeless tunes, many of which remain popular, if not downright anthemic. Whether big hits or slightly more obscure B-sides, The Return’s songs trigger fond memories of "Wow! Does that take me back!" or "I forgot how much I loved that one!". And, just for variety, the shows usually include an original or two. It’s always a family-friendly good time for all ages with The Return!  


More specifically, The Return's song list includes a revolving collection of about a hundred of some of the best songs from the Beatles, Stones, Kinks, Yardbirds, Animals, Who, Moody Blues, Badfinger, Jethro Tull, Donovan, Troggs, Status Quo and other British Invasion artists, as well as Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Crosby Stills & Nash, Neil Young, Pure Prairie League, Eagles, Traveling Wilburys, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, America, Grass Roots, Spirit, Turtles, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Shadows of Knight, Standells, Syndicate of Sound and even Elvis.

The Return is a hit with people of all ages who love the coolest music of the 60s, 70s and 80s and appreciate its faithful live reproduction with period-appropriate electric and acoustic instruments, strong vocal harmonies and plenty of “jingle-jangle”, energy and attention to detail. With sweet acoustic ballads and rocking electric numbers, The Return takes audiences back to a special time when popular music matured, creativity blossomed, originality reigned and songs could shape culture.

Return to those days with The Return!