"BOOM" BOOM" ON SIXTH AVENUE >>>

Classic rock is the dinosaur that refuses to die, and Tacoma always seems happy to take on these guys - the many, the stoned, the deaf - and give them a room for a night. See Emerald Queen Casino.

One such dinosaur is in Tacoma tonight. Bluesy classic rocker Pat Travers - born in Toronto on April 12, 1954 - will rock The Backstage Bar & Grill around 10:30 p.m. with three opening bands, which I couldn't nail down the names. Tickets are $20.

Travers first picked up the guitar just prior to entering his teens, after catching Jimi Hendrix in concert. It wasn't long before Travers was paying his dues playing in bar bands in the Quebec area.

Most remember Travers for his 1979 Go For What You Know record - a live recording that featured most of Travers' key work to that point. It was a tribute to big, blues driven rock everywhere, and, among other things, inspired a whole generation of air guitarists.  Among axe-aficionados, Go For What You Know is still considered one of the better live albums of all time.

Of course that album was made some time ago, but tonight's crowd at the Backstage can likely expect at least a glimpse of this magic.

[Backstage Bar & Grill, Friday, Sept. 30, 9 p.m., $20, 6409 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.564.0149]