The Ned Green Show: Niagara’s Soul Legend Lives On
Joe Ruicci 
Recently I received the following email from my good friend Thomas Nelson regarding Ned Green. You probably recognize his name from the Jambone days and his ever present musical talent at all the most popular venues in the Niagara Region with his very popular Thomas Nelson Band.
“Since hearing the news of Ned’s passing, I’ve been lost for words. Seems like I’ve known him forever. We first met when I was 17 years old. My band, Supreme Soul, started playing at The Main Restaurant in Niagara Falls, NY. Ned was a waiter there. During a meeting with the owner, Larry Goughasian (RIP), we were informed that Ned would be entertaining during the second show. Me, Tom Tarpinian, Jan Krupa and Frank Grizanti would back him up. We were a little put out but we knew all the songs.
The first time I saw Ned perform was mezmerizing. He started his show standing in the middle of the Main and Falls Street intersection. Running at full speed through the side door he would jump over a line of chairs and land on the floor in the splits. From there he launched into his James Brown routine. Then there was the costume change for his Geraldine skits that he picked up from the Flip Wilson Show that was popular at the time. The famous dance contest with the $2000.00 bottle of wine to the winner, was Ned’s opportunity to “out dance” anyone that tried. And so it went that summer of 1968.
Ned’s powerful stage presence and soulful voice brought him to the stages of a myriad of Canadian venues. He provided an opportunity for so many local musicians to hone their skills in the performance of “Motown Rhythm and Blues” music his signature saying. If you are a musician in the local scene, you were either in his band at some point or you knew someone that was.
Over the 50 years since meeting Ned, I subbed in to his band on several occassions. For the first time, I was a member of his band for three summers at My Cousin Vinny’s Restaurant. His routine hadn’t changed much but he performed it with the same enthusiasm as he did 50 years ago. After telling the same jokes, he’d bend backward, tilt his head back, and his unmistakable laugh would ring throughout the concrete statues surrounding him and ricochet back.
The summer of 2018 was the last time I saw Ned. He was making his way to Vinny’s from the staff parking lot for his evening’s performance. My band was performing on the patio across the street and I was singing Stand By Me. Ned paused, pointed his finger at me, sat down and listened to the song. When it was over he applauded and continued on his way. I’m gonna miss you Ned. RIP.”
~ Thomas
I remember back when Joe’s Place was a brick and mortar Entertainment venue, we had the honour of hosting the The Ned Green Show.
Ned had come in to the club to speak to me about playing the club. He had some promo material with photos that were probably from the late 60’s with his afro and looking very young. It was now the 90’s, and the guy I was speaking to was a much older version of his promo shots.
That did not perturb me as I had heard of his show from some musicians that backed him up at many shows, all with good vibes. It was a good decision. Ned Green was a great Entertainer, Frontman, Band Leader that the audiences loved.
His flashy outfits, his James Brown like dancing, amazing dance contest and so much more.
Audience participation was his thing and he did it well. Although his base show was the same for many years, he always had a variety of great musicians backing him, so it never got stale.
The Ned Green Show: A Niagara Legend
In the rich tapestry of Niagara’s live music history, few acts commanded the kind of local legend status as The Ned Green Show. Fronted by the charismatic Ned Green (April 30, 1947 – December 20, 2018), this was more than a band — it was an entertainment institution in the Niagara region. (Facebook)
The seeds of The Ned Green Show were sown in the vibrant nightlife of Niagara
In bars, clubs and dance halls scattered throughout Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and points between. Ned Green, often referred to by fans as “Niagara’s own James Brown” for his high-energy performances, drew from a mixture of soul, R&B, funk, and rhythm & blues in his early inspiration. (Facebook)
While details about exactly when the band officially formed are elusive, by the 1970s and 1980s Ned was already gaining attention on the circuit, supplementing his live shows with a theatrical flair and a reputation for showmanship that set him apart in the Niagara club scene. (Facebook)
Because The Ned Green Show was, above all, a dynamic live act, its personnel evolved over the years. What remains clear from local accounts:
- Ned Green was the heart of the show — lead vocalist and focal point of the performance.
- Supporting musicians included rhythm section members (bass, drums, guitar, keyboards) who could adapt to multiple genres on the fly.
- Backing vocalists, horn players, and dancers often augmented the stage to give the show depth and visual excitement.
While full archival rosters are hard to track down, local tributes remember the ensemble as tight, professional, and ever ready to back Ned’s bold vocal and dance moves
(Facebook)
At its core, The Ned Green Show blended soul, funk, and R&B with touches of pop, gospel, and even a swing toward blues depending on venue and audience. Ned’s vocal style was powerful, with a full-bodied delivery, emotive phrasing, and a keen sense of rhythm. His shows weren’t just concerts — they were experiences.
A few hallmarks of the Ned Green Show:
- High energy, danceable grooves: Even in a slower number, the band would lock into solid pocket grooves, engaging the crowd.
- Dynamic arrangements: Songs often featured call-and-response sections, horn lines, breakdowns, and extended solos.
- Genre fluidity: The show might swing from a deep soul ballad into a funky uptempo number or a gospel-tinged anthem seamlessly.
- Audience interplay: Ned was known to pull audience members on stage or to incite singalongs, making every show interactive.
This approach rooted the show in the tradition of classic soul entertainers, while still giving it a Niagara flavor — familiar, local, and immediate.
What set The Ned Green Show apart was as much visual as musical. The costumes and stagecraft were integral:
- Costume flair: Ned and his singers often donned vibrant, flashy outfits — sequined jackets, bold colors, tailored suits, and stage attire that glowed under lights. The visual contrast made the performers shine under stage lighting.
- Choreographed movement: While not a dance troop per se, the band and backing performers moved with precision, shaping the stage space and supporting Ned’s lead with synchronized flair.
- Lighting & staging: Lighting cues, spotlights, and effects enhanced the mood of each set. Smoke or fog effects were used in climactic moments, and the stage was often dressed to complement the music (backdrops, banners, etc.).
- Theatrical pacing: Ned understood pacing — an emotional ballad would lead into a fiery uptempo number, with breaks for audience engagement, dramatic pauses, and tension before releasing into chorus. He was equally comfortable as a showman as a singer.
Together, the costumes and showcraft turned each concert into more than a gig — it was a spectacle, a shared event, a night people talked about long afterward.
Since Ned Green passed away in December 2018, his reputation has only grown in Niagara’s collective memory.
His influence is often invoked in local music circles: as a standard-bearer for showmanship, for bridging stylistic boundaries, and for giving audiences a full sensory experience.
In 2025, that legacy receives formal recognition: Ned Green has been named among the inductees for the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame class of 2025.
The induction ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at the Bears Den (Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino). (Facebook) Fans and admirers have welcomed the honor, seeing it as long overdue for a local legend whose live presence still looms large in Niagara lore. (Yahoo)
His induction will place him alongside other Niagara region stars and preserve his contributions in the musical archives and public memory. (NFMusicHallofFame)
The story of The Ned Green Show is more than nostalgia — it’s a reminder of the power of live performance, local roots, and artistic ambition. In an era when playlists and studio polish often dominate, the visceral thrill of a frontman commanding a crowd — backed by tight players, dazzling visuals, and a willingness to take risks — becomes all the more precious.
For Niagara’s music community, the upcoming induction is not just an honor for Ned Green — it is a celebration of a time when live music was central to social gathering, identity, and shared joy. It’s an opportunity for new generations to discover the shows that shaped the local scene.
If you’re in the Niagara area in November 2025, consider attending the induction to not only honor Ned, but to deepen your connection to the region’s musical heritage.
Thank You Thomas Nelson for that wonderful email you sent me