Joe Mazzuca - Lead Guitar

Joe grew up in Berwyn, and started playing guitar at the age of 12. He took guitar lessons from the original guitar player of Styx, the late John Curulewski. Joe totally immersed himself in playing and at times practiced up to 8 hours a day! His hard work and dedication paid off; by the age of 15 he was playing out at shows and had won several "Battle of the Bands".

Unfortunately, the amount of time he dedicated to playing took its toll and Joe walked away from playing. In the beginning of 2006, a childhood friend convinced him to pick it up again. Immediately the zeal resurfaced and again he's finding it difficult to put his guitar down, even bringing it with him on business trips. Joe's current profession is a tax man. He jokingly tells people that when his day job ends. his night time job begins. practicing and learning new songs! Joe's greatest influence was Michael Schenker, the former lead guitar player from UFO.

Joe is divorced and has a wonderful son. He has a loving, understanding, and gorgeous girlfriend, Carol, who is Joe's number one fan!

 

Jeffrey Tokar - Lead Vocals

Jeff entered the arena of rock-n-roll during the mid 80's as the front man of a band called "Felony" from NW Indiana. Learning from his older brother, Dan, who was already playing the rock circuit as front man in various bands like "Brief Encounte", "Runner" and "Rough Justice", Jeff soon found his own spotlight when he joined an all original band in Chicago known as "Wicked Rhyme". These would be some of the most exciting and successful times of his career in music.

After his first son was born, Jeff brushed aside the serious music interests and settled into the role of dad, coach and president of a small union painting company but still jammed with fellow musicians on weekends and for parties.

After a 15 year hiatus, the itch to return to the arena began to grow. While putting together a large scale cover band project known as "Cherry Bomb", the opportunity to front "Lights Out Chicago" came about and so far it has been a great fit. The band has accepted him like a brother! Finding out that both Joe and Jeff's birth dates are on the exact same day, one can only expect great things from this band.

 

Lamar Almeida - Percussion

Lamar grew up in Berwyn, & started playing drums at age 12. At 15yrs old, put together his first band "Tyrant" with friends from high school, playing everything from Rush, Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Kiss, Led Zep, Rainbow, - even UFO! Remembering great times, playing various "Battle Of The Bands" & shows at youth centers - all the while, pushing to get better at his craft, because of all the competition back then.

During the 1980's-1990's, pounded away in just about every club in Chicagoland, sticking to the hard rock, & metal genres. In 2003, Lamar's tastes turned towards creating original music, and played in the all original instrumental shredfest, known as "Redshift". In 2005, Lamar put together his own all original instrumental band "Suspended Animation".

In 2008, Lamar co-founded "Chronicles - A History Of Rush", and for the past 4 years played the band's music that made him pick up drumsticks back in 1975. Neil Peart, Mike Portnoy, John Bonham, & Gavin Harrision are just some of Lamar's drumming influences. When the opportunity came about to join "Lights Out Chicago", also came a chance to not only jam out with friends, but play one of Lamar's all time favourite bands - UFO!

Lamar has been married for over 20 years to his high school sweetheart, & love of his life, Nancy.

 

Richard Leonard - Guitar / Vocals

Richard grew up in Berwyn, IL as well. He played in a band (Dilligaf) with Eric, Joe and Brian back in their younger days as well as in a band in the Joliet area called "Prodigy". He left the music scene in 1983.

Then it happened. He got a call from Eric in mid 2007 who said "Hey we're putting a band back together". He thought, Joke, right? Wrong! And there they were again. He felt he couldn't ask for a better group of guys to jam with.

Richard married Rosanne, the love of his life for 27 years and has a son, Eric who he says "is the best son ever!"

 

Eric Preisler - Bass Guitar / Vocals

Eric grew up in the same neighborhood with all of the other band members. Some he has known over 35 years. His music interest began with the accordion at age 5, a couple years playing violin with the school district orchestra in grammar school, then picking up the bass guitar in his late teenage years when his buddies wanted to get together and jam.

Starting out as one of the original members of "Dilligaf" back in the late 70's, and playing with other area bands including "Backstage" - "NRG" and "Conflict" in the early 80's, 25 years later after raising a family all it took was a few phone call's to start it all over again. Getting back together with Joe and Rich in mid 2007, finding a Drummer, Keyboard Player and Lead Vocalist a few years later, paved the way for this teenage rock 'n' roll reunion. Even though they have been out of touch for so many years, everything fell back into place after just a few practice sessions. He looks forward to getting out and playing with all of his talented 'old' and new friends.

 

George Logemann - Keyboards

George started taking piano lessons when he was 4, and music has always been a big part of his life. George has been playing with high energy bands ever since his teenage years, and "Lights Out" is no exception. Says George, "I love the music of UFO, and am fortunate to have found such a talented bunch of band mates to act cool with!!!"

Originally from New York State, George moved to Illinois in 2000 and he's been having fun playing with cover bands "AKA" and "Cherry Bomb", and recording with local artists "Jonelle Marie" and "Pure Adrenalin."

George has been married to his beautiful wife Erin for more than 17 years. They have 3 children who are also very musical and love to rock out with dad at the keys!