LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band in Fall River, MA (08.09.25)
On Saturday, August 9, 2025, John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band performed to a capacity crowd at The Narrows Center For the Arts, in Fall River, Massachusetts.
One of the most consistently active bands I know of, John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band began as a Rhode Island club-band out of Narragansett, RI, in 1972. I remember going to see them perform during my college years in the late ‘70’s/early ‘80’s. They always drew a huge following.
By the 1980’s, they were no longer just a local club band. Notice and success came when some of their songs were included on the soundtracks of major movies such as There’s Something About Mary, Dumb and Dumber To, Eddie and the Cruisers and Eddie And The Cruisers Il: Eddie Lives, as well as a couple of Sylvester Stallone’s movies, Cobra and Rocky lV. Since then, they continue to maintain a large following, often filling venues throughout their tours.
Saturday, August 9th was no different than any other performance. John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band’s loyal following showed up to fill The Narrows Center For the Arts venue to capacity. As the band left the Green Room to take the stage, the enthusiastic crowd greeted them with a thunderous applause. Noticeably absent, however, was their celebrated saxophonist, Michael “Tunes” Antunes. We soon found out that he was out and about celebrating his 85th birthday with family and friends.
The band took the stage and began their set. John’s songs are very recognizable and popular, so the audience always joins in and sings along. Every so often, John takes a moment to speak to the crowd with an anecdote that often acts as a lead into the next song. Their set list is a mixture of upbeat rockin’ songs, and slower, emotion-filled tunes (see set-list that follows, below). Recently, they released their first album in 37 years, containing 13 original songs written by John. That night’s set list included songs from this recent release, as well.
A little more than halfway into their performance, a roar of the crowd erupted and brought everyone to their feet when their popular saxophonist arrived and took the stage with his bandmates. He joined them for a few songs, which really got the crowd rockin’. John also got the crowd to join the band in singing Happy Birthday to “Tunes.” It was quite a moment!!
As the night ended and the band played its final tune, the crowd showed its love and appreciation with a long ovation.
Photos – John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band at Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA on August 9th:
Writer’s note: On August 19th, only 10 days after his last performance (the performance reviewed above), the world lost a very talented and gentle soul, Michael Antunes. Although I did not know him as a friend, I was fortunate enough to engage with him on numerous occasions over the years; through the camera lens, as well as talking after shows. Often one of the last to retire to the band’s VIP room, “Tunes” would stay out to spend time talking with fans and signing autographs. I recently covered another one of John Cafferty And The Beaver Brown Band’s performances. Little did I know that that would be the last time I would hear the amazing sounds he was able to produce with his saxophone. Following the show, as usual I found him taking time to speak with fans and signing autographs. That night, I asked him to sign a baseball, an idea I’ve recently borrowed from Rush’s Geddy Lee. I will certainly miss this wonderful man and his talents.
