American rock band HELD HOSTAGE will be headlining the main stage at Watchfire 2018 to be held on May 27, 2018 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York.

This major veteran celebration event will be the precursor to the Held Hostage 5 state east coast tour with the legendary metal institution ROSS THE BOSS Band. Held Hostage will be playing as direct support for the Ross the Boss Band Starting in New Bedford, Massachusetts on June 27, Sellersville, Pennsylvania on June 28, Worcester, Massachusetts on June 29, Syracuse, New York on June 30 and Teaneck, New Jersey on July 1.

In addition, Held Hostage will be direct support for former SCORPIONS legendary guitarist Uli Jon Roth on July 13 in Liverpool, New York. This will be followed by a headlining Held Hostage show on July 29 in Auburn, New York.

More dates will be announced soon.

Since its triumphant return to the music world three years ago, Held Hostage has done a recent lineup adjustment for some up and coming concerts being billed as the Held Hostage All Star Band.

The Held Hostage All-Star band features: Lead guitarist / vocalist Tom Collier (Held Hostage founder), legendary drummer / producer Carl Canedy (The Rods, Canedy, St James); Buffalo rock and roll hall of famer and iconic lead vocalist Jim Crean (Appice Brothers, Crean, Hair Nation); bassist Madman Freddy Villano (Quiet Riot, Dee Snider's Widowmaker, American Mafia) and rhythm guitarist Scott Gregg (Held Hostage).

Back when Ross the Boss, the co-founder of Manowar were touring in the USA, Held Hostage would open for the band.

Held Hostage recently cut a new EP featuring iconic vocalist Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow / Deep Purple), in which Joe sang vocals on the hit song "Show Me The Way Back Home". Held Hostage is currently getting ready to record a new album titled "Epic".

Tom Collier, Held Hostage founder stated "This is such a dream come true to have these incredible musicians share the stage with Held Hostage and also record with us. Carl Canedy has been an incredible friend to help organize this.

Carl Canedy stated "It has been an honor and privilege to perform and be part of the Held hostage band. With the Held Hostage All-Star band, I get to perform with some great musicians, I have admired and are doing some great songs to fantastic crowd reaction. I am having a blast, and if that's not enough, the band is helping raise funds and awareness for US Veterans.

"Show Me The Way Back Home" single purchase link:

https://heldhostage.hearnow.com/

Biography:

Held Hostage was one of the premier rock bands of the 80's and 90's in the North Eastern United States and a staple in Central New York's music scene. While on the road they earned their reputation as a hard working band with a genuine compassion for those in need raising hundreds of thousands of dollars in Charity events across the state. Their compassion may be rooted in the many adversities and tragedies the band has endured for the past thirty years.

Since it's inception in 1984, Held Hostage had six members pass away. (Don Averill, Mike Tondeur, Doug Bennett, Andy Phillips, Ray McDermott, Scott Columbus - former MANOWAR drummer). The losses had profound effects on the remaining members that brought forth soul searching as well as fortitude. Forging ahead, Held Hostage has made the decision to no longer mourn but to celebrate and honor those friends who have passed on with a new (5/20/2016) CD titled "Fallen Brothers". The title song "Fallen Brothers" is a rock ballad written by original founding member Tom Collier and is not only a tribute to past members but a heartfelt work that many will relate to.

Now they are back helping veterans, as they get ready to release their new song "Show Me The Way Back Home". 50% of the sale proceeds will be donated to Vietnam Veterans. Victory for Vets, Wounded Warrior project (pending approval), They have been contacted by several other Veteran organizations. The Vietnam Veterans will be using this song as a fund raiser and are very excited, as are the Victory for Vets. Held Hostage recently (02/25/2017) played a free concert and raised monies for Victory for Vets. Held Hostage plans a 5/25/2017 release for Show Me the way back home.

To date the band Held Hostage includes original member, Tom Collier on lead guitarist / lead vocals. Newcomers Frank (The Tank) Smith on bass guitar / backing vocals, Chuck Robbins "The Animal" on drums and Scott Gregg "The Hammer" on rhythm guitar round out a solid line up. The bands unique blend of screaming guitars, thundering kick ass drums, raging bass and uninhibited vocals were found to be true to form on their last released cd. Songs such "Fallen Brothers", "Love Me - Love Me", as well as the classic hit "Hot Night In The City" and their chart ripping song "Rockin' The Night Away" were included. Held Hostage is ready and able to re-take their place in Rock and Roll history.

https://www.facebook.com/HeldHostageBand/