Poison & Warrant- Pine Knob 7/26/11

This show was a throw back to the 80's. Back in the mid to late 80's, you could not have WRIF, WWWW, or ABX playing without hearing some Warrant and a whole lot of Poison. I found it strange that Poison would return within 3 weeks of the CrueFest. My guess is an hour long set was not enough for Detroit.

The weather was typical of what we've had lately, "Hot & Sticky". With nothing better to do, good weather, and Poison on the bill, why not boogie over to the Knob for another show. BLT and her favorite Dogg grabbed some 5th row seats 3 hours before showtime for a measly $30.00 each. A quick dinner in the Starlight and a few drinks will set the night properly.

I must digress and offer mad props to VIP Starlight manager, Blair. this dude is a true "Detroit Rock Dogg" Hall of Famer! On Thursday he had an emergency appendectomy and not the easy laproscopic kind. Blair had seats for Sunday's Paul McCartney show and come hell or high water, he was gonna be there. Well... my man checks himself out a day early and stays for the whole show! Way to go Blair, you are my hero.

Warrant was never one of the Hair Bands that I really cared for, but they put on an energetic, good sounding, hour long set. Of course they clesed their set with "Heaven" and "Cherry Pie" Well done mates! You set a good tone for Poison.

A few more cocktails and some great people watching (boobs a poppin) and we were back to the seats for the show.

Typically Poison is very high energy, full of good staging and pyro. Often overlooked is the strong musianship this band has. After 30+ years together, Brett, Ricky, CeCe, and Bobby can still out rock 90% of the known world. Tonight they were on their game BIG TIME! Kinda funny, when we arrived for dinner only 100 or so cars on site. Management predicted only 4-6000 attendance. Beetween ticket discounts, the great weather, and the band, Poison filled the place to near capacity and rocked for 1 3/4 hours. All the hits covered, and the highlight (as ususal) was when Brett make a passionate thank you speech to all the veterans in the crowd. In fact, any veteran, active or not, could get 2 free pavillion seats for the show. I'd guess 2,000 + Armed Forces were there. What a great gesture! Poison, you guys do rock and roll proud and you are truly adopted sons of the "D". Can't wait to see you next time.

Weather A
Crowd A
Sound A
Staging/Effects A-
Lighting B
Atmosphere A+
Line up B
Set List B+

Overall A. A great time and a ton of fun!

Paul McCartney- Comerica Park 7/24/11

Paul McCartney takes Detroit by storm

Susan Whitall/ Detroit News Music Writer

Thunder and lightning raked across the sky over Comerica Park Sunday night, but it was no match for the fireworks Paul McCartney mustered onstage, both figuratively and literally.

His well-honed showmanship and impeccable music filled hearts and minds in the sold-out ballpark even before fireworks exploded over the stage during "Live and Let Die."

And he was a gracious visitor. McCartney gave heartfelt thanks to Detroit and Motown early on.

"We had a little time off today and we went to the Motown museum," McCartney told the crowd, six songs into the set. "Holy grail! When I was listening to records as a kid in Liverpool, learning the songs 'You Really Got a Hold on Me' (by the Miracles) and 'Money' (by Barrett Strong), wow! So we'd like to do a song we don't normally do, for Detroit and for Motown, one of my favorites by Mr. Marvin Gaye."

And with that, he led his tight band into "Hitchhike," one of Gaye's early hits. "Thank you Detroit, and thank you Motown!" the former Beatle said after a rendition rhythmic enough to make a Funk Brother smile.

Rain showers cooled off the audience earlier, and a boom of thunder hit just before 8 p.m., prompting the crowd to cheer — what a way to go, right? Watching an original Beatle from a $200 seat as lightning arcs across downtown Detroit.

But the rain let up by the time McCartney took the stage. He's racked up 69 years but looks as trim as when he first played Olympia Stadium in Detroit in 1964, a brash 22-year-old.

(Yes, at this point he'd have to sing "When I Was 64").

He strode onto the stage at 8:30 sharp on black Beatle boots, clutching his Hofner "Beatle" bass guitar.

"You say yes, I say no you say stop but I say go go go" were the first words we heard as he kicked off with the Beatles' "Hello, Goodbye."

Dressed in a black collarless jacket with red piping down the front over a white button-up shirt, McCartney shucked his jacket early on to reveal thin suspenders.

At one point, the former Beatle stopped the show, to "take a minute to drink in these Detroit vibrations," he said, nodding and smiling as the crowd cheered, wetting his finger and then waggling it in the universal sign for "hot"!

Let there be no mistake, McCartney can still sing. His voice has deepened over the years from the sparkling, high Irish tenor of the '60s, but there is a burnished suppleness to it that serves him well over what would be a long show for a 30-year-old. And in a pinch he can evince a fab winsomeness with a well-chosen high note.

There is no substitute, not even the Beatles' "Love" show, for singing the "Nah nah nah" chorus along with the real thing. For three hours, we were all fab again.

Styx and Yes 7/20/11 Pine Knob

Wednesday, Brenda, Bob, Linda and I braved 100 degree heat and high humidity to see one of all time favorite bands Styx, and oh yeah, "YES". After a nice but terribly uncomfortable dinner in the VIP and numerous drinks, the gang takes our seats in the 16th row and settle in for a long, hot night.

To our dismay, Styx came on first and absolutely played the best set I've seen them play in the past 15 years! The interplay between Tommy Shaw and JY- James Young was perfect. Add in the superb backing players, including Chuckie Panozza on bass for 1/2the show. With the huge catalog of songs to choose from, Styx never disappoints us. Tonight all the classics, Crystal Ball, Suite Madame Blue, Lorilie, Come Sail Away,Man in the Wilderness, Castle Walls, Miss America, Fooling Yourself, Grand Illusion, etc. Despite the temps pushing 100 degrees, the hill was 70
% full and the pavilion about the same. Tommy Shaw announced just after the second song that the temperature on stage was 132 degrees. What pros! They rocked like they were 30, not 50 something. The crowd had a rocking time and sang along passionately. Isn't it time for Styx to be in the Hall of Fame. Come on America, start chirping about this injustice.

We try to take a break in the VIP to rehydrate between sets, but this heat id stifling. We fear the ancient members of YES may play their last show tonight. this weather can kill the old, weak and infirm ed. Most of YES have qualified for all 3 for over 2 decades!

When YES took the stage about 9:20, most of the crowd had no idea they lost their lead singer and replaced him with a man that is a clone. Whoever this guy is, he is Jon Andersen reincarnate. The band is tight , the singer rocks, but it is not near enough. Me and Brenda walked out during the last 10 minutes of the show. Not a bad show, but it was not as advertised. The crowd of approx. 10,000 was well behaved, well dressed, and stayed in their seats until Roundabout and Starship Troopers. Then they finally stood up and rocked. Just an average headliner. Styx would have been a true crowd pleaser as headliner. In any event, Styx kicked ass and YES was a bore.

Crowd B
Atmosphere C
Staging B
Band line up B
Sound A
Lighting B-
Staging B

This concert was difficult to judge. Styx was great, YES below average, weather horrible to sit in. Overall I give it a B-. Styx an A, Yes a C the weather a D

Rare Earth- Quake on the Lake

60's Motown Rockers, Rare Earth headlined the 2011 Quake on the Lake Saturday. Since BLT and I are walking distance to the Lake, and it was a pleasnt night, we trekked on down to see these Motown legends.

True story, Berry Gordy, owner of Motown, heard a demo tape of Rare Earth and said "You must sign these boys, now". sight unseen, Rare Earth signs with Motown and are recording their first albums days later, when Barry gordy walks in and discovers they are white. imagine his surprize that his "Black Label" no had 7 honkies in studio. Of course the boys in the band proved to be a good hire 18 albums later and a ticket to rock and Roll Hall of Fame waiting.

The band played long, loud and well. The interplay between band mates showed the years of touring had turned them into a well oiled machine. the crowd of approx. 1,200 was very into the scene. Lots of old hippies, Motown fans, and casual fans loved the set list. Hey Big Brother was a 15 minute jam, followed by a 20 minute Born to Wander jam, followed by a 20 minute Get Ready jam. Whew, these boys be a jammin. Alittle I can't Stand Losing you, Celebrate and a little Temptations thrown in , made for an awesome set list. A very fun, well enjoyed night of music.

Weather A
Atmospher B
Crowd B
Lighting C
Staging C
Set List A

Overall B show that was fun and free.

Verve Pipe-6/16/11 White Lake

The lovely BLT and I went to see The Verve Pipe on Saturday at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area. A truly hot day turned into a perfect night when the Verve Pipe took the stage. From our perch 50' from the stage, we surveyed the crowd of maybe, 250 for signs of life, but there was no pulse. Based on the strong sounds and and excellent set list, the crowd appeared that they had no clue who these guys were.

After 7 songs from villians and other albums, the band started to play "The Freshman". It was at this time we hear a man behind us say " gosh they sound like the originals, "Tears for Fears"! I almost laughed in his face. Here is a late 20's man, from Michigan, and he does not know the Verve Pipe? Why are you here? He gave it all away when they played "Take the Long Way Home" by Supertramp and he was heard to say he remembers this song vaguely. You are not a ROCKER!

The set was a little over 65 minutes long and was well played and the sound was quite good. Props to the harmonica player. You my friend were in rare form. Well done boys.

Weather A
Staging C
Lighting C
Sound B
Set List B+
Atmosphere D
Crowd E

Overall, a strong B for the band and a D- for the event.

Michael Jackson Experience 7/15/11 Meadowbrook

The Dogg Days of concert going season are upon the Townespeople. Good shows for free, nearly free, and moderate prices to choose from. Friday, on a whim, we trekked off to Meadowbrook to give the Michael Jackson Experience a try. This show is put on by the same folks that have been doing the Pink Floyd Laser show for 25 years. This show would be more than just lasers and some movie clips. This had all the Pink Floyd lasers + a 4 screen multi-media backdrop + professional dancers + a Michael Jackson look alike and move alike. The show starts at the period of his death and backtracks to his Jackson Five days.

With little to no expectations for this show, we were rewarded with 5th row VIP seats for $10.00 each. The crowd was around 5,000 strong and most were life time Michael Jackson fans. Showtime happened at 9:20 due to the late sunset. Once it began, it was fast paced, visually stimulating, and a whole lot of fun. The dancers were very professional and well choreographed. Multiple costume changes to suit the song and era added to the scene. Michael Jackson impersonator was spot on his moves, looked quite similar, same build, and lipsynched fantastically! It was too cool to see Michael change from White to Black.

Personal highlights for me were: Smooth Criminal, Beat It, Thriller, Off the Wall, and the oldies like ABC and Ben were quite nostalgic for us. Frankly it was the best $10.00 I've spent in a long time. Great fun, professionally done, and what the hell, Michael is the BOMB!

Weather A
Crowd B
Atmosphere B+
Sound B
Lighting A+
Staging A+
Effects A+
Set List A

Overall this was an A event. We can't call it a concert, but since we knew what we were going to see, it made no difference.

Frampton Comes Alive 35th Annivesary- 7/8/11 Pine Knob

One of the most influential albums of my youth, had to be Frampton Comes Alive. I had it on vinyl, 8 track, cassette, CD, and now DVD. The memories of a smokey Cobo Arena, hair down the middle of my back, and a group of 12 of my best friends at the 1976 show, are indelibly etched into my brain. With this memory, off to Pine Knob we go. Dinner and drinks with friends Ed & Maureen and meeting up with Jimmy & Peggy after dinner. This is going to be an epic night!

The weather was perfect for an outdoor show, 84 and sunny. The crowd was mostly 40 and 50ish, but here to have a great time and chill to good old rock and roll. I'd guess the crowd size at about 10,000. The VIP Starlight Lounge was buzzing with anticipation of tonight's show.

Tonight, there is no warm up act, just 3 hours of Frampton. When we went to take our seats, much to our surprise, we were held at the concourse for the first 4 songs (just like at a hockey game) due to filming and the band not wanting any additional movement in the shots, or some crap like that. Being the 50 something, loud mouth, get my own way sort of brat that I am, I put up severe protest and tryed in vain to rally an uprising. ATTICA, ATTICA or whatever. Once we were in our seats, the sound, crowd appreciation, and interplay between band mates was excellent. Even in his best days, Frampton never went for elaborate sets or lighting. tonight was no different. Just the usual screen and overhead lights that all acts have. Side one and two were played in sequential order with a few cuts from other Frampton albums thrown in. From 7:30-9:15 the band played flawless renditions of all the songs and the crowd was truly into this Rock Legend! Intermission from 9:15 to 9:35 went by real quick. Just enough time for a quick JaeggerBomb and another Long Island.

Set two was album sides three and four, with a few more oldies thrown in. Just like the first set, this set rocked the house. For the most part, the crowd was on their feet dancing and singing in mass. When the show ended at 10:55, by my count, Frampton played 33 songs. No one should have felt short changed by this show.

Also feel the need to toss out a big vote to Brandon, owner of BAB Tickets. This local reseller of tickets is the most ethical and trustworthy reseller I've ever dealt with. If you ever need tickets, check out his Facebook site or on Craigslist. His prices are fair and when a show date is near and he has tickets unsold, prices drop exponentially. Twice this season, Brandon has called me with great seats at the last minute at prioe's I can't refuse. Brandon you my friend, are a class act! Thank you for the great seats.

Weather A+
Crowd B
Atmosphere B
Sound A
Lighting C
Staging C
Effects N/A
Line up A

Overall this was a very enjoyable night out and I give the overall show a strong B.