My Summer of Live Rock & Roll, 2017 Edition Act VI – Alice Cooper, Deep Purple, and Edgar Winter

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

Whenever I provide a review or write up, it means that I have bought and paid for the item or admission costs myself.  In the rare instance when items or admission are being provided free of charge or at a discount, I say so.  This site is non-monetized therefore the opinions provided are truly free of influence.

This concert was very different, in that the tickets were provided to me as a result of my being a veteran, and by someone other than the act being reviewed.  Therefore, I will explain a little bit about Vet Tix before I talk about the concert itself.  

From their website:

For more details, click here

Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.

There are too many details as to how all this works to get into here, but if you are a veteran I would recommend you check it out and sign up.  Short version:  They go out and seek donations (and ask that you help), they have a fair way to make sure every Veteran gets a chance at what tickets are available and the manage the administration of the distribution of the tickets very well.  This was only my second event for which Vet Tix supplied admission, but they have recently started offering a lot more shows and events in my area.  

This show was the last for Summer 2017. It was also the best show I saw all summer.

Edgar Winter

When I was in high school Edgar and Johnny Winter put out some of the best rock 'n' roll that was on the radio. I think both were underrated and I always liked the free-form bluesy feel they added to their songs.  Edgar Winter was a great opening act and while he only played five songs, each of them had a significant punch. He started with Free Ride and ended with Frankenstein.  From the first note to the last, there was plenty of time taken for the reinvention of each song and some really spectacular solos.

Alice Cooper 

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

I thought Alice Cooper was the headliner for this show, given the fact that he was playing in his own hometown he rightly should have been. I've said it before:  I was never a big Alice Cooper fan when he was really big, but having seen him twice now in concert I have become a fan. I've talked before about the way he owns an audience from the moment he walks on stage until he takes the final bow. That is an absolutely true statement whether he is performing with the Hollywood Vampires or as Alice Cooper. The man is the best Showman in rock 'n' roll.

The playlist was filled with his biggest hits, including Billion Dollar Babies, Only Women Bleed, and I'm Eighteen -- all of which included the usual Alice Cooper frills of a guillotine, demonic ballerina, and an evil nurse with a large hypodermic needle. It was not just to show it was an event.

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

The biggest treat came at the dead center of the show when Nita Strauss, lead guitarist,  played what has to be the best guitar solo I’ve ever heard.  Notice that I didn't say the best female guitar solo  --  it was without a doubt the best guitar solo PERIOD.   She owned every string on that instrument, every fret, and put on the best playing show I have ever seen any guitarist ever do while pumping out awesome licks and sounds that were almost otherworldly.  Nita performance was overwhelming.

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

If you look at all of my reviews from last year, you will see that for almost every band I mentioned something about the bass guitar player. There was just a tremendous group of bassists last year who was flamboyant enough to be considered a large part of the performance beyond the part they were playing. Not so much this year, until I saw Chuck Garric.  The man played great bass and beyond that, he was truly a part of the show.

Likewise, I've mentioned many percussionists before – – but not so much this year – – until I saw and heard Glen Sobel playing in the background as well as his own drum solo. So much talent and such a treat to watch.

Alice’s encore was School's Out  -- and I can tell you without a doubt the man left it all on stage.

Deep Purple:  The Long Goodbye

Photo ©2017 Chris Schwegler

Most people know only one of their songs – – Smoke on the Water. I am not claiming much of a high road, because I can only add two to the list: Hush and Space Truckin'.  But, isn't that enough to make you want to listen to the rest of an album or a set? I'm glad I did, as I've added a few more songs my favorites from the band. Also, there was a terrific keyboard solo by Don Airey -- unlike many solos which have a tendency to go totally free-form his included bits and pieces from many different composers including Mozart.

The band was fired up, and so was the crowd by the time they took the stage. I hate it when a band holds their best hit until the final encore though, by then many bands are out of steam and have nothing left to provide in what should be the triumphant performance of the night. But I guess that is the difference between true road veterans and amateurs. I will tell you that Deep Purple did not leave it all on stage with that final song – – they borrowed some from the next show and found tremendous energy when performing Smoke on the Water and the crowd went wild.

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My Summer of Live Rock & Roll, 2017 Edition Act IV - Foreigner 40th Anniversary Tour

Note:  This review was delayed.  The performance was 11 August 2017 at DTE Music Theatre

Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience

 

Jason Bonham tribute to Led Zeppelin.  Knowing that Jason was the son of original Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham made me suspicious.  How often have kids of someone famous never lived up to the legend that they descended from?  Fortunately, this one did, and they performed a robust set of Led Zeppelin’s best stuff. Finishing with an excellent rendition of Whole Lotta Love.  No question of Jason’s talent,  the only question I was left with was where was D’yer Maker?

Cheap Trick

Cheap Trick provided a great performance, just like last time.  The set list was a little different, and Kevin Zander played guitar as well as sung – last time he only sang.  Rick Nielsen was his usual fantastic self.    Flashbacks of Live at Budokan were strong.

Foreigner 

When you pay to go to a concert, you get to see three types of acts:  Singers, Performers, and

Showmen.  

Singers are those who have the talent but are still honing their skills to be truly magnificent.  They will get there with work and effort.  Usually, these are no headliners but are warm up acts and those rising among the pack.

Performers are those who have put in the time and effort and give you something truly entertaining and worth going to see.  You leave the concert satisfied in what you saw and that it was worth the cost and effort to go see the show.    Most of the shows I have seen fall into this category.

Showmen are rare, and that is what makes them worth seeking out and appreciating when you do find them.  They electrify the audience,  the music is perfect or very close to it, and they sense the crowd and guide them through what will be a special evening.  These are the concerts you talk about for years afterward.  Until this concert, I had only seen two:  Alice Cooper and Arnel Pineda (Journey).

Both of these Showmen left it all on the stage as they poured their heart and soul into the performance.  They weave their magic with every song taking the crowd up to crescendos but also being careful enough to allow the mood to calm from time to time to allow a bit of recovery before the final culmination at the end of the performance which peaks with the very last note played during the encore.

Now, I have seen a third:  Kelly Hansen of Foreigner.  What I saw at this show was memorable and augmented the old memories that each song held.   Foreigner is one of those groups where I knew and loved the songs but had not attached them all to the group.  That connection is now solidly there due to this set list:  Double Vision, Head Games, Cold As Ice, Waiting for a Girl Like You, Blue Morning Blue Day, Dirty White Boy, Feels Like the First Time, Urgent, Starrider, Juke Box Hero, I Want to Know What Love Is and Hot Blooded.    During all of this Kelly’s energy was in overdrive as he owned the stage and took the audience on a journey through some fantastic music.

Awesome night of music!

Foreigner was kind enough to donate a signed guitar to the local Shrine Club, which they auctioned off to raise money for their charitable work.  I didn't win it but I did get to pose with it.

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My Summer of Live Rock & Roll, 2017 Edition Act V – Jeff & Larry's Backyard BBQ

Whenever I provide a review or write up, it means that I have bought and paid for the item or admission costs myself.  In the rare instance when items or admission are being provided free of charge or at a discount, I say so.  This site is non-monetized therefore the opinions provided are truly free of influence.

This concert was very different, in that the tickets were provided to me as a result of my being a veteran, and by someone other than the act being reviewed.  Therefore, I will explain a little bit about Vet Tix before I talk about the concert itself.  

From their website:

For More Info Click Here

Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.

There are too many details as to how all this works to get into here, but if you are a veteran I would recommend you check it out and sign up.  Short version:  They go out and seek donations (and ask that you help), they have a fair way to make sure every Veteran gets a chance at what tickets are available and the manage the administration of the distribution of the tickets very well.  This was only my second event for which Vet Tix supplied admission, but they have recently started offering a lot more shows and events in my area.  

Jeff & Larry’s Backyard BBQ is a great concept.  A full evening of entertainment that starts with cook out foods, yard games, music, and comedy.  An MC guiding two headliner comedians, three headliner bands, and a local band.  Add some dancing girls, a comedian, and a sword swallower, and you have recreated burlesque.   Alas, that is not the evening we got.

First there no special cook out foods, just the regular bill-o-fare always available at DTE.  I would not have been upset if I had known this in advance because I would have eaten something I wanted versus all that’s available.  Had pork sliders and mac and cheese from Union Mac – delicious. Yard games – walked around the venue three times and never saw anything that looked like yard games.

A little after 6, Nick Hof got on stage and introduced the first band: Decibel.  The band was out of Indianapolis and played some wicked covers of metal, blues, and southern rock – plus an original tune.  Very enjoyable – would like to see again.

Nick Hof reappeared, did a short bit of stand-up, and then brought on the next act:  Foghat.  Foghat built on the mood the Decibel started playing their own style of slide guitar rock.  The set included both I Just Want to Make Love to You and Slow Ride,  I was happy to experience both Live.

Nick did some more stand up, a long break while Marshall Tucker Band set up and then Jeff Foxworthy came out.    My first time seeing Jeff live and he was terrific.  Some hilarious bits and even though his first You Might Be a Redneck joke was written less than 15 miles away, he did not use the phrase once.  Jeff bridged straight into Larry the Cable Guy.

Larry’s act was okay, he really didn’t seem to ever get into a groove with the crowd.  There were funny moments but not a real raucous set overall.

The final act of the night was the Marshall Tucker Band, on their 45th Anniversary Tour.  They opened with Heard It in a Love Song – one of my favorites.  I knew Toy Caldwell was no longer with the band so I was not expecting the same vocals – however, I was hoping for a close experience.  Doug Gray’s vocals were good but they were not the same, and it soured me on the experience – even though the band was pumping out great music.  Chris Hicks and Rick Wallis were both terrific.   On one song Marcus Henderson (keyboard and flute) took over vocals and did a fantastic job.  Maybe Marcus should sing more.

They closed with Can't You See, that was terrific and included Larry the Cable Guy on guitar and Jeff Foxworthy on tambourine and vocals.  They never played Fire on the Mountain or Searchin’ for a Rainbow – both favorites of mine and songs I was surprised they didn't perform.

Nick Hof deserves a lot of praise for not only doing good comedy sets but for keeping things moving and being honest about how much time there was going to be between acts.  He was great as an MC.

Note:  Eddie Money never played – and no explanation was given.  He was listed on the poster and ads for the concert.

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Finding Tranquility In The Real World

When I was 12 or so, my family spent the summer living in the campground at the edge of Lake Elmer Thomas.  Even though there is not a lot of stress in a 12 years old’s life, I did enjoy a daily escape from various chores, fishing, and swimming by taking a walk to the other side of the large hill that backed the site and into a secluded inlet that was surrounded by trees.  It offered me a bit of space that was curtained away from the rest of the world.    I would sit on the rocks at the edge of the water, dip my feet into the cool water, and listen to my radio for an hour or so being by myself and away from any other humans.  Pure tranquility.  Just me, Mungo Jerry, and the Raspberries.

Places of mental escape like that one are harder to find as you grow older.  The places are there, but you are too busy dealing with life to find them.  A while ago, I tripped over one -  The Woodhouse Spa in Ft. Wayne.  By tripping over it, I mean I was initially dragged through the door kicking and screaming against my will but then found I really enjoyed it.

After a stop at the main desk to verify services a guide is called up to lead you down a candlelit hallway to the changing room.  For me, usually an 80-minute massage, but they offer everything (hair, nails, facials, etc.)  The walk down the hall is meant to be a spiritual change and entry into a different world.  After getting undressed, you slip into a comfy robe and slippers that are laid out for you.   Leave your phone and the world in the locker provided as you leave the changing room and enter another plane of existence.

They advise you to get there thirty minutes early, fifteen of that is to get checked in and changed, the other fifteen is to finish your transition by having a seat in a comfortably appointed Quiet Room.  The whole place is appointed with flowers, candles and other details meant to set a tone of escape -- it works. Once in the Quiet Room, you can enjoy a glass of wine or cup of tea as you let your mind off load and prepare for the next step.  Your massage therapist shows up and guides you to the massage room, and after a quick discussion of your needs (aching muscles here or there, sore spots, sensitivities, and pressure level) they depart and you’re given a moment to drop the robe and get under the sheets.

I have had three dynamite therapists (Gabby, Pamela, and Shanna) but the basics of the spa’s massage are about the same.  A little aroma therapy, a foot massage to start, and then on to your requests.  The level of conversation varies, I prefer to mentally escape during the massage.  The massage itself is a release of tensions and then a reawakening of your soul.  Shanna is the only one of the three I’ve had that is still on staff, and I recommend her highly.

At the end of the session, you are again left alone to slip out from under the sheet and into your robe.   Your therapist meets you at the door with a glass of water and guides you back to the Quiet Room to recover and float away on relaxed feeling and calmness you’ve been given. 

No rush from there, but when ready you go back to the changing room and have a nice sauna, then a rain forest shower before getting dressed.  When you are willing to re-enter the real world, you guide yourself back to the front of the spa and then leave – facing the world again but carrying a small piece of serenity in the back of your mind.

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My Summer of Live Rock & Roll, 2017 Edition Act III – Queen + Adam Lambert

  

Whenever I provide a review or write up, it means that I have bought and paid for the item or admission costs myself.  In the extremely rare instance when items or admission are being provided free of charge or at a discount, I say so.  This site is non-monetized therefore the opinions provided are truly free of influence.

Queen + Adam Lambert

The start was delayed 45 minutes without explanation. While the concert did include all songs played in previous performances of this tour,  I think the delay at the very least should have been explained to the audience who were told in the pre-concert email to “Be on time there is no opening act.”  We were there –they should have been too.

The lights dimmed, and the familiar opening notes of We Will Rock You brought the entire arena to their feet, and they remained there for the next two hours.   The playlist moved back and forth between new or Adam Lambert songs and older, familiar Queen hits.   Another One Bites the Dust, Fat Bottomed Girls, and Killer Queen was presented back to back to great response.  Adam had several costume changes during the show and aside from stage prancing also road a pink bicycle during one number, Bicycle Race.  

Brian May was the hottest performer of the night.  He was relaxed, in control, and having fun as he rocked with guitar solos and stand out performances during every number.

The performance deco centered around a robot with a face from an Easter Island head.  The figure originally appeared on the cover of the News of the World album in 1977 -- but without a firm tie in to this particular concert.  No explanation was ever provided about the figure other than a vague reference to 3D.  (NOTE: A Brian May penned the biography of the group has recently been released that includes 3D pictures.)   

Somebody to Love & Crazy Little Thing Called Love was followed by a drum battle between Roger Taylor and a drummer who was touring with them (did not hear the name).    Roger backed that up by performing the Bowie part for Under Pressure.  Fantastic, as was Lambert’s take on I Want to Break Free.

No one can ever replace Freddie Mercury – not as a vocalist -- not as a showman.  Adam Lambert put his own style and spin on many of the songs early in the concert and then settled into his role as lead singer for the band.  Really enjoyed his performance of Radio Ga Ga.

The performance of Bohemian Rhapsody was a unique mix that included the use of the 1975 music video along with outtakes for Mercury's original vocals mixed into the live performance.  A wonderful way to include the history of the song and the band within the performance.

The encore was a rousing performance of We Will Rock You & We Are the Champions.  I walked out feeling energized and satisfied.

Evolution, The Thing Darwin Didn’t Think About  - Rock Bands

People change – sometimes by taking a different path and sometimes by departing entirely.  Because of this, rock bands evolve over time.  It doesn't mean the group no longer exists or has suddenly become a tribute band instead, it just means that the band has developed into its next iteration.    After all,  if the Beatles had never evolved,  it would have been John, Paul, George, Pete & Stu.

My own opinion about band evolution changed as more and more of the bands I listened to and enjoyed were forced to make changes in their line ups.  I have never seen Steve Perry live, but I have seen Journey.  Arnel Pineda was fronting the band when I saw them, and he was excellent.  His vocals were powerful and genuine to the music  -- and no it was not note for note, but that is why you go to a live performance to participate in the differences that occur when the band and crowd enjoy a synergy  -- when the music becomes something more than notes on a page.

I will never see David Ruffin or Eddie Hendricks either, but the Temptations are still pumping out a high-level performance of their best music.  In this case, only one original member remains, Otis Williams, but even with an 80% replacement of members, the Temp’s spirit lives on.

Sometimes, a band is lucky enough to have a younger brother to replace a lead singer, as was the case with Lynyrd Skynyrd. It doesn’t guarantee the same level of performance but you start with a good base of similarities that aids in the evolution.  Considering they have also had to replace guitarist Allen Collins and bassist Larry Junstrom over the years, the band maintains a remarkably authentic sound and live performance ethos.

The one group that chose to downsize versus replace as their evolution was America.  Dan Peek was an excellent musician but was not something so extraordinary that he could not be replaced – and yes, his absence in the trio was sorely felt by the band and the audience.

So, do you buy the tickets when you know one or more of the members of the band are not the original folks?  Hell yes.  Think of it as the 2.0 version of the band,  the basics are still there and can be recognized.  Sometimes it is better,  sometimes not – you ever know until you try. 

The Venue

The Place of Auburn Hills is quickly becoming my favorite large venue.  Easy in and out,  the staff is friendly and helpful, and the prices (while including the normal markups) were not too outrageous.  

The only wrinkle I encountered was when I left my seat to go to the bathroom.  Upon re-entering the main hall,  I was confronted by a staff member wanting to see my ticket.  No problem there – I produced the ticket, and while she checked it, I took out my phone and took a few pix from the different vantage point.  She then informed me I couldn’t stand there as it was a walkway—Okay – but you stopped me there, and I was still waiting for my ticket to be returned.  If not blocking the passage was the point, she should’ve been positioned elsewhere – feel free to verify my ticket but don’t let it ruffle your feathers if I make use of the time while you figure out that I paid to be there.

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Back From My Day Job

Advance look at the book's cover Copyright 2017, All Rights Reserved

The initial draft of my novel is finished and now rests with the Editor for her to do her job. At this point, I am kind of confused.  Not sure if I'm writing this as a break from my day job or if this is my day job and writing my novel was my hobby. Either way, I'm glad to say that after six months of diligent work, the book is finished and a tale that has been playing around in my head for five years is at last on paper -- or sitting in the cloud waiting for publishing.-- and readers.

The most abrupt change that happened from the way I visualized it, to the way it was finished, was the title of the book. Originally I called it Allah's Numbers, a totally appropriate title due to the subject matter – – you can find that out when you read it. After much thought, I shifted that title to From within the Firebird's Nest – – also totally appropriate. For what it's worth, the shift had nothing to do with outside influences – – but what I felt in rereading the entire book during my final edit of the work.

I think that titles are important, for one reason only – – to get someone to read what is written underneath it. I talked all about that in my blog entry entitled  PJ O'Rourke Taught Me How to Drive Fast While Getting My Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill My Drink, if you're curious, read it for yourself -- I will apologize here for again using the words Wing-Wang in this blog after saying I wouldn't.

Anyway, I should have the final edits back from the Editor, in about three weeks or so, and then if there are no major rewrites needed it goes to press.   I am excited and at the same time exhausted from what I've just finished doing.

Here is a synopsis of the book:

Wars are won or lost, but if the loser can still strike back from the ashes of defeat, it is never truly over.

Sergei Kirill Mikhailov, a former KGB Strategic Intelligence Director, has had one goal since his fall from power during the Soviet breakup – revenge on the West. Unlike many who are armed with similar hatred, Sergei is armed with much more thanks to the Crimson Firebird Initiative, a program with a catastrophic goal he conceived and launched while he was in power. Now the time has come for him to take advantage of that tool and to use a young, confused Arab computer wizard to launch the attack which will redirect any retaliation from the West towards the young man’s organization instead of Sergei’s beloved motherland.

Meanwhile Sergei’s deputy in the program, Fyodor Ilyich Maldroski, aware that his former boss is setting events in motion enlists a friend and former Stasi officer to defang the Crimson Firebird, but time is running out. Enlisting the help of an American writer and Fyodor’s son they must all work together to prevent the Initiative from being triggered while working against a host of foes that are still lurking in the dark decades after the Cold War has ended. Standing guardian angel over this group of heroes is Nikki Grey, an intelligent and beautiful Mossad operative who has found herself falling in love with the American, Evan Davis.

A riveting tale that starts during World War II and is still playing itself out today, because wars never truly end.

Please consider this an invitation to read the book as soon as it is released --   It also makes a great Birthday, Graduation, Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Bachelor Party, Just Because It's Thursday -- gift for all your friends, family, and anyone else you may or may not know.

... and speaking of reunions --  Nah -- that's next week. 

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Best of the Blog – The Deep South

This is the fourth week of reruns and with it the happy announcement that the first draft of Allah's Numbers was finished at 1:30 AM last Friday.  It took 600 pages to tell the story and now comes the arduous task of editing it before it is sent on to a real editor on Friday.

Today there will not be a regular weekly blog post. Instead, I am providing a link to a Best of the Blog entry.  This time, it is my thoughts about the Deep South, in honor of a recent trip to visit my Dad.  But coming soon --  My first stay at an Airbnb;  after the stay, there were rave reviews – for MacBeth.  So,  join me in the Way Back Machine and hope you enjoy my thoughts about the Deep South. 

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