Roger Daltrey, Ringo Starr and 34 more must-see fall concerts

Growing up in Carle Place, guitarist Steve Vai was listening to a steady diet of Led Zeppelin, Cream, KISS and Aerosmith. But one day he got a taste of something different.

"My friend John Sergio was a prog fan. He introduced me to King Crimson’s first record," Vai, 66, says. "It was very stimulating to me because I like high information music."

Today, Vai is joining former King Crimson guitarist-singer Adrian Belew and bassist Tony Levin plus drummer Terry Bozzio (Missing Persons, Frank Zappa) in BEAT performing the music of King Crimson, which headlines The Paramount in Huntington on Nov. 4.

"Joining BEAT and learning that music, you take a forensic microscope to it," Vai says. "Once you see it, it becomes part of your musical DNA."

BEAT is only one of the big-name acts coming to the area this fall. Here are 36 live shows not to miss this season.

TAKING BACK SUNDAY

Long Island’s own emo band comes home to Northwell at Jones Beach Theater’s Bay Stage in Wantagh on Sept. 24. Thrice and Saves the Day open the show.

"Long Island is part of our identity," says guitarist-background singer Fred Mascherino, who returns to the band after serving from 2003 to 2007. "It’s a little different when we play Long Island because it’s a hometown crowd. We don’t want to let them down. Plus, the band really gets into it."

When asked where he sees Taking Back Sunday headed in the future, Mascherino says, "I think there is no sign of stopping. No one counts on tomorrow. We are just trying to enjoy today. You just never know what’s going to happen."

• INFO $78.25; 516-221-1000, northwellatjonesbeachtheater.com

THE SMITHEREENS

Witness singer Marshall Crenshaw as he fronts The Smithereens filling in for the late Pat DiNizio at The Suffolk in Riverhead on Sept. 25.

• INFO $60-$90; 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org

RANDY TRAVIS

The Country cowboy's "More Life Tour" stops at Westbury Music Fair on Sept. 25. James Dupré will serve as a guest vocalist.

• INFO $53-$97.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

LOS LONELY BOYS

The Garza trio brings its special brand of "Texican Rock N’ Roll" to the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Sept. 27. Singer Lisa Morales opens the show.

• INFO $51-$81; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org

OUR LADY PEACE AND THE VERVE PIPE

Turn back the clock to the '90s as Our Lady Peace brings its 30th anniversary tour to Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall in Wantagh on Sept. 29 with special guests The Verve Pipe.

• INFO $41.98-$299.48; 516-783-7500, mulcahyslongisland.com

RINGO STARR AND HIS ALL-STARR BAND

A Beatle is coming to invade New York as Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band take the stage at Forest Hills Stadium on Oct. 1.

• INFO $66.25-$530.41; 888-929-7849, foresthillsstadium.com

FASTBALL AND SPACEHOG

The '90s bands Fastball ("The Way") and Spacehog ("In the Meantime") team up for "Space-Ball The Tour," which comes to Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall on Oct. 1.

• INFO $51.95; 516-783-7500, mulcahyslongisland.com

ROGER DALTREY

The lead singer of The Who flies solo for "A Great Night Out" show at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Brookville on Oct. 2. Amy Helm will serve as a special guest.

• INFO $204.95-$814.20; 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org

FOR THE LOVE OF FREESTYLE

It’s time for "Freestyle" to command the stage at Westbury Music Fair on Oct. 3. This year’s lineup includes Lisa Lisa, George Lamond, Judy Torres, Cynthia, Betty D of Sweet Sensation, C-Bank, the Cover Girls, Coro, Soave and a special tribute to the late rapper Rob Base.

• INFO $48-$210.65; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

ANN WILSON

Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Wilson, the voice of Heart, and her band Tripsitter will rock Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Oct. 4.

• INFO $71-$121; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org

FOGHAT

Take a "Slow Ride" with Foghat, featuring original drummer Roger Earl of East Setauket, for the "Twang & Bang Tour" at The Paramount on Oct. 15. Don’t miss supporting act the Kerry Kearney Band.

• INFO $37.50-$82.25; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

THE DAMNED

The UK punk band honors its 50th anniversary with the "Final Damnation Tour," which plays The Paramount on Oct. 18.

• INFO $54.75-$103.75; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

DAUGHTRY

Celebrating 20 years, Daughtry will give an unplugged performance at The Paramount on Oct. 20 with Ryan Perdz.

• INFO $98.25-$442.20; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

TOAD THE WET SPROCKET

The alternative rockers go acoustic with their "Rings Tour" at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Oct. 24. Willy Porter opens.

• INFO $67-$231; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org

A.J. McLEAN

Backstreet Boy McLean goes it alone with his "Alexander James: The Better Man Tour" at The Paramount on Oct. 25.

• INFO $44.25-$98.25; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

PAUL ANKA

Master performer and songwriter Anka does it his way on the "You Are My Destiny Tour" at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 28.

• INFO $119.55-$476.70; 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org

CANDLEBOX

Bring back the '90s with Candlebox’s "Can’t Quit You Tour" at The Paramount on Oct. 29. Expect to hear grunge staples like "Far Behind" and "You."

• INFO $49.50-$165.20; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

A BOOGIE WIT DA HOODIE

Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (nee Artist Julius Dubose) from the Bronx is celebrating "10 Years of Artist" (his 2016 debut album) at UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont on Oct. 30. Opening acts include G Herbo, Loe Shimmy and J.I. Prince.

• INFO $97.75-$243.10; 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com

BEAT

The aforementioned Belew, Levin, Bozzio and Vai will dust King Crimson classics from the ’80s when BEAT takes over The Paramount on Nov. 4. The set will focus on material from the band’s albums, "Discipline" (1981), "Beat" (1982) and "Three of a Perfect Pair" (1984).

"What those guys did on those three records is remarkable," Vai says. "It’s hard to decipher because it’s rocked up in this very accessible package, but under the hood, there’s a lot of intense things going on. I like that."

• INFO $72-$306.20; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

DWEEZIL ZAPPA

Guitarist Zappa tackles his dad Frank Zappa's catalog in his "DZ20: Like Father, Like Son" show at The Paramount on Nov. 5.

• INFO $59.75-$1,086.20; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

JOURNEY

The melodic rockers make their way to Nassau Coliseum on Nov. 7 for the "Final Frontier Tour."

• INFO $68.65-$1,727.40; 516-654-8203, nassaucoliseum.com

COWBOY JUNKIES

The alt country rockers will be "Celebrating 40 Years and Beyond" at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts’ Krasnoff Theater on Nov. 12.

• INFO $68.50-$84.90; 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org

CHICAGO

The band from the Windy City presents its nearly 60 years of classics ("25 or 6 to 4," "Saturday in the Park," "You’re the Inspiration") at Westbury Music Fair on Nov. 13.

• INFO $86.50-$648.40; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

ZEBRA

Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame band Zebra returns home for back-to-back nights at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 13 and 14 as part of the power trio’s ongoing 50th anniversary tour.

"The first night will be all Zebra tunes including some cuts from our upcoming album, ‘Zebra V,’ ” guitarist-vocalist Randy Jackson, 71, of South Setauket, says. "About 75% of the second night set will be Led Zeppelin covers with a couple of Zebra tunes. This is something we’ve never done before. Since it’s Long Island, we thought people from the old days would appreciate it. We love playing Long Island at least once a year. It feels like home for us."

• INFO $67-$107; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org

AIR SUPPLY

The soft rock duo of vocalist-guitarist Graham Russell and vocalist Russell Hitchcock brings its "A Matter of Time Tour" to Westbury Music Fair on Nov. 14.

• INFO $48-$246.60; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

JIM MESSINA

The '70s singer-guitarist will churn out his hits ("Your Mama Don’t Dance," "Angry Eyes") at The Suffolk on Nov. 14.

• INFO $50-$100; 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org

GEOFF TATE

The former lead singer of Queensrÿche re-creates his masterpiece "Operation: Mindcrime" for the last time at The Paramount on Nov. 15.

• INFO $37.25-$89.50; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

THREE DOG NIGHT

Hear "Joy to the World," "Mama Told Me (Not to Come)" and "One" when Three Dog Night works the stage at Westbury Music Fair on Nov. 19.

• INFO $41.75-$129.50; 516-247-5200, thetheatreatwestbury.com

JIMMY WEBB

The singer-songwriter, who lives on Nassau County's North Shore, is set to perform his classics ("MacArthur Park," "Wichita Lineman," "Up, Up and Away") at My Father’s Place in Roslyn on Nov. 21.

• INFO $78; 516-580-0887, mfpproductions.com

RIVAL SONS

The California rock band's “Domestic Bliss Tour” hits The Paramount on Nov. 21. Opening acts include The Blue Stones and The Velveteers.

• INFO $49.25-$135.70; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT

The crowd will be calling out for “More Cowbell!” when Long Island’s own Blue Öyster Cult celebrates the 50th anniversary of “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Nov. 27.

• INFO $81-$121; 631-207-1313, patchoguetheatre.org

A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS AND MEN WITHOUT HATS

Experience the heart of the '80s with A Flock of Seagulls (“I Ran”) and Men Without Hats (“Safety Dance”) at LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 5.

• INFO $68.50-$100.75; 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org

RICK SPRINGFIELD

Ladies will be screamin’ for Dr. Noah Drake of “General Hospital” who turns rock star as Rick Springfield conquers The Paramount on Dec. 5.

• INFO $54.50-$259; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com

SMOKEY ROBINSON

The Motown legend will deliver classics like “Tears of a Clown,” “I Second That Emotion” and “Ooo Baby Baby” during his “Legacy of Love Tour” coming to LIU Post’s Tilles Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 12.

• INFO $140.55-$413; 516-299-3100, tillescenter.org

JONAS BROTHERS

The Brothers Jonas -- Joe, Nick and Kevin -- reunite for “The Burning Up Tour All Over Again” arriving at UBS Arena on Dec. 19. Will Ferrell’s son, pop singer Magnus Ferrell (“Asleep Talking”), opens the show.

• INFO $63.50-$613.55; 516-460-8950, ubsarena.com

RICHARD MARX

The '80s pop star brings his cavalcade of hits (“Hold On to the Nights,” “Don't Mean Nothing,” “Right Here Waiting") to The Paramount on Dec. 20.

• INFO $54.50-$386.45; 631-673-7300, paramountny.com