PRESS
Historic Places of Buffalo & WNY
Falkowski profiles 75 influential people in latest history book
BY TONI RUBERTO
GUSTO EDITOR
The Buffalo News
Rick Falkowski has long been known as one of the biggest ambassadors of Buffalo music and its history. Lately, however, he has turned his passion for history toward a broader spectrum of influential people with a local connection.
In his new book “Profiles Volume II – Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the Early 1900s,” Falkowski profiles 75 people who he feels contributed greatly to the area from 1900 to 1950. Yes, there are musicians and entertainers, but also people who worked in law, sports, industry and politics.
Among those in the new book, a follow-up to “Profiles Volume I: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the 1800s” are:
Rick Falkowski has long been known as one of the biggest ambassadors of Buffalo music and its history. Lately, however, he has turned his passion for history toward a broader spectrum of influential people with a local connection.
In his new book “Profiles Volume II – Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the Early 1900s,” Falkowski profiles 75 people who he feels contributed greatly to the area from 1900 to 1950. Yes, there are musicians and entertainers, but also people who worked in law, sports, industry and politics.
Among those in the new book, a follow-up to “Profiles Volume I: Historic & Influential People from Buffalo & WNY – the 1800s” are:
- Buffalo-born Sidney Farber, a doctor and researcher considered the father of modern chemotherapy and is the “Farber” in the world-famous Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
- Zorah Berry, who moved to Buffalo as a child and made a name for herself as a concert promoter starting with the Buffalo Philharmonic Concert Company. Her 40year career included bringing such greats as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra to Kleinhans Music Hall.
- Glenn H. Curtiss, who became the father of naval aviation and the namesake of the Glenn H. Curtiss Aviation Museum in Hammondsport.
- William “Wild Bill” Donovan, a Buffalo native who went on to be a highly decorated World War I hero and is regarded as the founding father of the CIA.
Falkowski shares their stories, among others, in a purposely concise and informative way. He also talked to family members and friends.
“No one was doing a short synopsis of Buffalo history. These are profiles, not biographies. They are written in a way to make it interesting, not stale history,” said Falkowski, adding he hopes the two books can be used to help with local history curriculum in Buffalo schools.
Falkowski, the founder of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and Buffalo Music Awards, has been involved in the local music scene for the last 55 years. He coordinates Tonawanda’s Gateway Harbor Concerts and gives classes on Buffalo music, entertainment and history throughout the community.
He published “History of Buffalo Music & Entertainment” in 2017 and realized he enjoyed the public presentations so much that he wanted to do more. He combined his love of history and doing public presentations to write his two “Profiles” books and conduct talks on various historical topics.
“When I give a presentation, I say I have three goals,” Falkowski said. “One, I’m going to talk about some things you were previously not aware. Two, I will bring some things up you have forgotten about. And three, when you hear my presentation, you will be proud you are from Buffalo.”
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Copyright (c)2021 Buffalo News, Edition 11/11/2021
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