Dave Gara, an accomplished drummer from Niagara Falls, New York has had a remarkable career in the world of hard rock music. His passion for drumming was nurtured in the heart of Western New York followed by a musical journey that has taken him to various corners of the United States, from the vibrant music scene of Atlanta, Georgia, to the rock capital of Los Angeles, California. Being an integral part of several prominent rock bands and moments in rock history, he has an extensive musical career that spans over two decades. Dave’s journey began in the late 90’s when he moved to Atlanta to network and collaborate with other musicians while honing his drumming skills. In 2001 he became the drummer for Betty Blowtorch, an all-female American hard rock band that emerged from Southern California. Tragically, the tour ended with the death of singer/bassist Bianca Halstead in a car accident after a show in New Orleans. The group disbanded, but Dave’s dedication to music persisted. He moved back to Atlanta and was the drummer for Vagrant Justice, Quazi Motors, Bitch and Gargantua, and a drum tech for the heavy metal cult band, Nashville Pussy. Then came a pivotal moment in his career; in 2004 he joined the hard rock band Skid Row. Dave was Skid Row’s drummer from 2004 to 2010, contributing to their album "Revolutions Per Minute" and also recording a punk rock version of "Jingle Bells" for the Christmas compilation album "Monster Ballads Xmas", the fourth in a series of collection albums that featured popular 80s metal rock bands. Skid Row's rich history and commercial success in the earlier years solidified Gara's role in the band's legacy. Following his time with Skid Row, he continued to explore the world of hard rock music by joining the Atlanta bands The Live D, The Crush and Suckerpunch, a hard rock cover band out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In January 2013, he joined BulletBoys on their three-week North American tour. Maintaining his roots and venturing into this area’s music scenes, whenever in town, Dave showcases his passion and versatility as a drummer with Los Americanos in Niagara Falls and with FLOOZIE in Buffalo. Since 2016, Dave has been the drummer for Atlanta’s Back Side of Life (B.S.O.L.), a band dead set on proving hard rock is still alive and kickin’ by priding themselves on their high energy live shows. B.S.O.L. also released a four-song debut EP, entitled “Chucky Sessions Part 1” which can be heard on YouTube and Apple Music. With a multifaceted career from the heart of Western New York to stages across the nation spanning from the early 2000s to the present day, Dave’s journey as a drummer is a testament to his passion for music and his unwavering dedication to his craft. It is a pleasure to welcome Dave Gara into the Niagara Falls Music Hall of Fame.