NRBQ

Originally known as the “New Rhythm and Blues Quintet” after forming in Louisville, KY, in 1965, NRBQ have provided their audience-delighting, high-energy blend of novelty, roots, and free-jazz sensibilities over half a century and a dozen full-time members. NRBQ released the first of more than 20 studio albums in 1969 and hit a hard-stomping stride in the mid-’70s—when Al Anderson (guitar) and Tom Ardolino (drums) joined cofounders Terry Adams (piano) and Joey Spampinato (bass)—that endured for two decades. Late-’70s releases such as At Yankee Stadium and Kick Me Hard transcend NRBQ’s world’s-greatest-bar-band rep and chart a natural course to later eclectics like Yo La Tengo. NRBQ were also comedic enough to serve as The Simpsons’ unofficial “house band” from 1998 to 2001. After a seven-year group hiatus, and with Adams as the last remaining founding member, NRBQ powered on and released the uplifting Dragnet in 2021.