• Blog,  Concerts

    I Saw Another Beatle and his Phenomenal Band: Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band Concert Review

    June 23 2016 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: June 22, 2016
    • Location of Concert: PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati, OH
    My concert tour continued Wednesday night in Cincinnati, Ohio.
     
    I went to see Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band!!
     
    And wow what a band they are.
     
    This is not just a showcase for the great Beatle.
     
    This is a showcase for the whole band.
     
    This band includes Ringo on vocals/drums/keyboards on one song, but guitarist/vocalist Steve Lukather of Toto and many session works (including Michael Jackson’s Thriller album), guitarist/vocalist/bassist/percussionist Todd Rundgren (who celebrated his birthday at this show), vocalist/keyboardist Greg Rolie (Santana/Journey), bassist/vocalist Richard Page (Mr. Mister), drummer Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth’s solo band), and vocalist/saxophonist/keyboardist Warren Ham.
     
    Throughout the show, they played songs from each of their respective careers.
     
    So many highlights.
     
    Really, the whole show was a highlight.
     
    I’m honored to say that I finally saw the other surviving member of The Beatles, Ringo Starr (I saw Sir Paul McCartney last year.)
     
    He’s still amazing.
    But again, so is his band.
     
    Holy cow!
     
    They totally blew me away.
     
    Just Steve Lukather, Todd Rundgren, Greg Rolie, Richard Page, and Greg Bissonette alone were worth the price of admission.
     
    I kid you not, when the band played Santana songs, Steve Lukather played Carlos Santana’s guitar parts note for note.
     
    The guy is just out of this world.
     
    And hearing Steve sing and play Toto songs was quite a treat.
     
    And birthday boy Todd Rundgren is a favorite of mine.
     
    His double album Something Anything is a masterpiece, in my opinion.
     
    He played a couple of his songs, and they blew me away.
     
    Hearing the band playing Richard Page’s Mr. Mister song Broken Wings was a huge highlight.
     
    Greg Rolie’s voice is still quite strong, and hearing him sing Santana songs was a treat.
     
    Gregg Bissonette is a monster drummer.
     
    Enough said.
     
    And again, the man himself, Mr. Peace and Love Ringo.
     
    He sang a lot of his Beatles and solo songs.
     
    I could tell the band really loves playing and singing together.
     
    And why not?
     
    Because they’re phenomenal.
     
    Anyway, a fun night 2 hours of great music was had by all.
     
    I’m so glad I went to this show.
     
    In 2 weeks (July 6), I’m finally seeing one of my favorite bands since I was 10, Guns N Roses!!! Woo!!
     
    More shows and reviews to come.
     
    As Ringo loves to say, “Peace and Love”.
     
     
    P. S. Here is the setlist and pics.

    Set List:

    1. Matchbox (Carl Perkins Cover song sung by Ringo)
    2. It Don’t Come Easy (Ringo)
    3. What Goes On (The Beatles song sung by Ringo)
    4. I Saw The Light (Todd Rundgren)
    5. Evil Ways (Willie Bobo cover, recorded by Santana, sung by Greg Rolie)
    6. Rosanna (Toto song sung by Steve Lukather)
    7. Kyrie (Mr. Mister song sung by bassist Richard Page)
    8. Bang The Drum All Day (Todd Rundgren)
    9. Boys (The Shirelles cover sung by Ringo)
    10. Don’t Pass Me By (The Beatles song sung by Ringo)
    11. Yellow Submarine (The Beatles song sung by Ringo. When introducing this song, Ringo said that this was the magical moment of the show. When he said people were expecting Led Zeppelin, in which Steve Lukather played the main riff to the Zeppelin classic Stairway To Heaven. Ringo even joked about seeing Zeppelin singer Robert Plant in the audience. Then he told Steve to play the right chords, and tore into Yellow Submarine.)
    12. Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen (Fleetwood Mac cover, recorded by Santana, sung by Greg Rolie)
    13. You’re Sixteen (Johnny Burdette Cover song sung by Ringo)
    14. I’m The Greatest (Ringo song written by John Lennon)
    15. You Are Mine (Richard Page)
    16. Africa (Toto song sung by Steve)
    17. Oye Como Va (Tito Puente cover, recorded by Santana, sung by Greg)
    18. I Wanna Be Your Man (The Beatles song sung by Ringo)
    19. Love Is The Answer (Todd Rundgren’s band Utopia song sung by Todd. Amazing!!)
    20. Broken Wings (Mr. Mister song sung by Richard Page)
    21. Hold The Line (Toto song sung by Steve)
    22. Photograph (Ringo)
    23. Act Naturally (Buck Owens Cover song, recorded by The Beatles, sung by Ringo)
    24. With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles song sung by Ringo. This concludes with part of John Lennon’s song Give Peace A Chance.)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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    Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)

  • Blog,  Concerts

    Two Singing Superstars Together: Sting/Peter Gabriel Concert Review

    June 22 2016 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: June 21, 2016
    • Location of Concert: Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH
    My concert tour continued Tuesday night in Columbus, Ohio.
     
    I went to Nationwide Arena to see the opening night of Sting/Peter Gabriel’s Rock Paper Scissors Tour.
     
    This tour features both Sting and Peter going back and forth playing their own songs separately as well as together.
     
    It’s pretty cool, actually.
     
    They share the band, which features many talented people, including Peter’s long time bassist Tony Levin and drummer extraordinaire Vinnie Colaiuta.
     
    Look these people up.
     
    Peter started the show, then Sting came out, then both were together on and off throughout the show.
     
    They were mostly together, though.
     
    They mostly let the music do the talking, but near the beginning of the show, Sting said they had been in Columbus rehearsing for two weeks for this show, which he figured made them honorary Columbians.
     
    Also, Peter said that he grew up where you milked cows, while Sting grew up where you built ships.
     
    So, Peter then joked that by the end of this tour, he wants Sting to know how to milk cows, and for him to know how to build ships.
     
    I love their humor.
     
    Anyway, both Sting and Peter had fun with the show, and the band was phenomenal.
     
    They played for about 2 hours and 45 minutes, playing many songs from both their legendary careers.
     
    I highly recommend checking out this tour.
     
    I had never seen Sting or Peter before, so I’m glad I got to see them together for their first show of this tour.
     
    When they were done, Peter told the audience that “the Rock Paper Scissors tour started here”. Very cool.
     
    My next concert is tonight in Cincinnati, where I will see Ringo Starr And His All-Starr Band.
     
    More concerts and reviews to come.
     
    Lucas Hannon
     
    P.S. Here is the set list (showing who sang what in parentheses) and pics.
     
    I was way up in the bleachers, so some of my pics are not the greatest, and some are from the big screens.
     
    But you’ll get the idea.
     
    Either way, I could see them fine and it was another great experience.

    Set List:

    1. The Rhythm of the Heat (Peter)
    2. If I Ever Lose My Faith In You (Sting)
    3. No Self Control (Peter/Sting)
    4. Invisible Sun (Sting/Peter)
    5. Games Without Frontiers (Peter/Sting)
    6. Shock The Monkey (Sting/Peter)
    7. Secret World (Peter)
    8. Driven To Tears (Sting)
    9. Fragile (Sting/Peter-Sting dedicated this song to the victims in Orlando.)
    10. Red Rain (Peter)
    11. Dancing With The Moonlit Night Intro (Sting)
    12. Message In A Bottle (Sting/Peter)
    13. Walking In Your Footsteps (Sting)
    14. Darkness (Peter)
    15. Kiss That Frog (Sting/Peter)
    16. Don’t Give Up (Peter)
    17. The Hounds Of Winter (Sting)
    18. Big Time (Peter/Sting)
    19. Englishman In New York (Peter/Sting)
    20. Solsbury Hill (Peter/Sting)
    21. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (Sting)
    22. If You Love Somebody, Set Me Free (Peter sings this Sting song himself.)
    23. Roxanne (Sting-During Roxanne, Sting sings part of Ain’t No Sunshine.)
    24. Love Can Heal (Peter-He dedicated this song to Jo Cox, an MP who was assassinated recently.)
    25. Desert Rose (Sting)
    26. In Your Eyes (Peter/Sting)
    27. Encore: Every Breath You Take (Sting/Peter)
    28. Sledgehammer (Peter/Sting)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Two Rocking Bands: Whitesnake and Whitford/St. Holmes Concert Review

    June 15 2016 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: June 14, 2016
    • Location of Concert: PNC Pavilion in Cincinnati, OH
    My concert summer continued Tuesday.
     
    I went to Cincinnati again to see Whitesnake and the opener Whitford/St. Holmes.
     
    I’ll get to what happened before the show at the end, but first, I’ll tell you about the show.
     
    Whitford/St. Holmes (Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford and Ted Nugent band singer/guitarist Derek St. Holmes) started the show with a 30 minute rocking set of songs from their new album Reunion (they put out another album in the early 80s), and also played a medley of a couple Aerosmith/Ted Nugent songs.
     
    It was great to see Brad Whitford out front as guitarist, playing great as always, and even talking to the crowd.
     
    In Aerosmith, Brad’s forever in the shadow of Joe Perry. But in my opinion, as great as Joe is, Brad is just as good or better of a guitarist.
     
    And he really shines in this band.
     
    I have seen him 3 times with Aerosmith, and trust me, he shines there, too.
     
    But even more so in this band.
     
    And Derek is still a really good singer, too.
     
    Very soulful.
     
    And he is also a really good guitarist in his own right.
     
    This was my first time seeing Derek.
     
    I’m glad I finally did.
     
    Their band includes drummer Brent Fitz, who has played with Billy Idol, and has been part of Slash’s band in recent years.
     
    Their band also includes bassist Chopper Anderson and keyboardist Buck Johnson, who sang a medley of the Aerosmith classic Last Child, which Brad wrote.
     
    And Johnson really did a great Steven Tyler impersonation, vocally. 
     
    It just so happens he plays for Aerosmith too.
     
    Really cool set, but I just wish they would have had more time to play.
     
    Check out their new album Reunion, which as a bonus, comes with their self titled debut album from the 80s, also.
     
    More about Whitford/St. Holmes later on this review.
     
    Stick around for it.
     
    Now, to the headliner, Whitesnake!!
     
    This was my 3rd time seeing them.
     
    This has always been lead singer David Coverdale’s group, and has had many great players with him throughout the years.
     
    Especially right now.
     
    His band includes guitarists Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra, bassist Michael Devin, the drumming machine Tommy Aldridge, and keyboardist Michele Luppi.
     
    The band did a very tight, loud, and rocking set of the band’s greatest hits.
     
    David Coverdale’s voice is still really strong and I could tell he was having a great time, interacting with the crowd and with the band.
     
    I love seeing bands not “phone it in”, and I swear neither of these bands did.
     
    Both had fun and gave the crowd everything they had.
     
    David Coverdale is a great frontman, very witty and funny, and again, such an amazing voice.
     
    When he was 20 or 21 years old (he’s 65 now), the legendary rock band Deep Purple, who along with David were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame this year, hired him from nowhere and helped him launch his career.
     
    If you get a chance, check out the Deep Purple albums that David sings on: Burn, Stormbringer, and Come Taste The Band.
     
    In fact, Whitesnake put out a great album last year of some of David’s era of Deep Purple songs, called The Purple Album.
     
    Check it out, too.
     
    In fact, check out all of David’s catalogue. He’s made a lot of great music.
     
    I would go see Whitesnake again anytime.
     
    They’re always fun.
     
    Check out this tour if you get a chance.
     
    Oh and before I forget: I want to tell you about something cool that happened to me before the show.
     
    When I was about 10 minutes from the venue, I received a call from Whitford/St. Holmes’ tour manager about meeting them.
     
    You see, a few weeks before the show, and several months after I bought my ticket, I also bought a VIP package, in which I would be able to meet Whitford/St. Holmes before the show.
     
    Well again, their tour manager called me, and told me where to go, in which he would come and get me and take me to meet them.
     
    Well, I showed up at the gate where all the band buses and trucks were located, I called him back saying I was there, and he came out saying they were having dinner, but that when they were ready to meet me, he would come and get me.
     
    Well, shortly before I met them, I spotted Brad Whitford coming out of a tour bus, just walking around a little, and smoking a cigarette with the crew.
     
    He was looking in my direction, but I figured I’d be respectful and leave him alone until I met him.
     
    Well, a few minutes later, the tour manager comes and gets me and takes me to Brad and Derek’s tour bus, and lets me in to meet them.
     
    Both Brad and Derek immediately greeted me and were very kind.
     
    Brad asked me my name, and I told him my name.
     
    And he said “great to meet you Lucas”, and shook my hand.
     
    Derek did the same. Both signed their CDs for me that came with the VIP package, as well as a CD bonus track, and an 8×10 pic.
     
    I also got guitar picks in the package, and Derek also handed me one of his personal Ted Nugent guitar picks from 2013.
     
    He jokingly told me to put it in my pocket real quick before someone else grabbed it.
     
    Derek asked me where I was from, and I told him Ashland, Kentucky, and he said “I know where that is.”
     
    And, I got 5 pics with them!!!
     
    I thanked them for seeing me and I wished them a great show.
     
    And they both thanked me and seemed very appreciative, which was great to see.
     
    So, if anyone wants to say that they’re jerks, think again.
     
    They’re both two genuinely good guys who love what they do and are great at it.
     
    Very good experience.
     
    In fact, I want to do more VIP visits sometime. Stay tuned!
     
    I’ll post pics and setlists from both bands below.
     
    My concert tour continues next Tuesday and Wednesday.
     
    Stay tuned for more reviews.
     
    Rock on!!!!
     
     
    P.S. One more thing: for those of you who have seen the movie This Is Spinal Tap, you will appreciate this.
     
    After I met Brad and Derek, and went into the venue, I was going to my seat and saw aside from some venue security, there was no one in the seats.
     
    Or on the venue’s lawn. I was wondering what was going on for a second, because there were plenty of people there.
     
    But then I remembered that there was another part of the venue where the concert was happening.
     
    So yes, I had a Spinal Tap moment. Hahahaha!!! It was great.
     
    Ok, here come the setlists and pics:

    Whitesnake Set List:

    1. Bad Boys
    2. Slide It In
    3. Love Ain’t No Stranger
    4. The Deeper The Love
    5. Fool For Your Loving
    6. Sailing Ships
    7. Judgment Day
    8. Guitar Solos
    9. Slow And Easy
    10. Bass Solo
    11. Crying In The Rain (w/Drum Solo)
    12. Is This Love
    13. Give Me All Your Love Tonight
    14. Here I Go Again
    15. Encore:  Still Of The Night

    Whitford/St. Holmes Set List:

    1. Shapes
    2. Rock All Day
    3. Hell Is On Fire
    4. Shake It
    5. Gotta Keep On Movin’
    6. Medley:  Last Child/Hey Baby/Train Kept A Rollin’/Stranglehold

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Musicanship Extraordinaire: Steely Dan/Steve Winwood Concert Review

    June 8 2016 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: June 7, 2016
    • Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
    My brother Christopher and I went to Cincinnati, Ohio to see the band Steely Dan and the solo artist Steve Winwood.
     
    Steve Winwood opened the show with several songs from throughout his career, ranging from his time with The Spencer Davis Group, Blind Faith, Traffic, and his solo career.
     
    His voice is still strong.
     
    I had never seen Winwood before, and he did not disappoint.
     
    Now to the headliner: Steely Dan
     
    Some of you know may not know who Steely Dan are.
     
    They are made up of two men, singer/keyboardist Donald Fagen and guitarist/bassist Walter Becker.
     
    They started off in the early 70s as a band, but quickly became Donald and Walter’s project, in which they brought in several session players to bring their music to life.
     
    Actually, an interesting factoid: the actor Chevy Chase played drums for Donald and Walter while all of them were still in college in the 60s.
     
    It’s hard to describe their music, but I will describe it as highly sophisticated and elegant jazz/rock.
     
    My brother was the one who got me into Steely Dan’s music back in 1998.
     
    I finally saw them in 2011, and saw them again Tuesday.
     
    They were amazing, as usual.
     
    I took several pics, but they did not turn out great.
     
    But when you see them below, you’ll get the idea.
     
    But anyway, it was another fun experience.
     
    We both had fun.
     
    I will post Set Lists below, as well.
    Lucas Hannon

    Steely Dan Set List:

    1. Band Jazz Intro (The band starts the show and Donald and Walter walk on stage near the end of this intro)
    2. Black Cow
    3. Aja
    4. Hey Nineteen
    5. Black Friday
    6. Rikki Don’t Lose That Number
    7. Kid Charlemagne
    8. Show Biz Kids
    9. Dirty Work
    10. Bodhisattva
    11. Daddy Don’t Live In That New York City No More
    12. Godwhacker
    13. I Want To (Do Everything For You)
    14. Josie
    15. Peg
    16. My Old School
    17. Reelin’ In The Years
    18. Encore:  Pretzel Logic

    Steve Winwood Set List:

    1. I’m A Man (The Spencer Davis Group Song)
    2. Roll With It
    3. Them Changes (Buddy Miles Cover)
    4. Pearly Queen (Traffic Song)
    5. Can’t Find My Way Home (Blind Faith Song)
    6. The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys (Traffic Song)
    7. Higher Love
    8. Dear Mr. Fantasy (Traffic Song)
    9. Gimme Some Lovin’ (The Spencer Davis Group Song)

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Phenomenal Tribute: Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience Concert Review

    June 1 2016 / No Comments
    • Date of Concert: May 29, 2016
    • Location of Concert: Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, OH
    Well better late than never…
     
    On Sunday, I went to Cincinnati to see a Led Zeppelin tribute band.
     
    But it wasn’t just any Led Zeppelin tribute band.
     
    It was Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.
     
    For those of you who don’t know, Jason Bonham is the son of Led Zeppelin’s drummer John Bonham, who passed away September 25 of 1980.
     
    Jason was only 14.
     
    Since that time, Jason, who was taught by his Dad to play drums, has had a pretty interesting and varied musical career, ranging from having his own band Bonham, has played in bands such as Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin’s solo group, UFO, Black Country Communion, California Breed, Foreigner, and oh, he has played with Led Zeppelin on most of their one off reunion shows.
     
    Most famously, their last show in 2007, which was released on Bluray/DVD/CD called Celebration Day.
     
    I cannot recommend it enough.
     
    He also, on and off for the past 6 years, has gone on the road to do his own tribute show to his Dad’s band.
    It’s very good.
     
    They do faithful versions of Led Zeppelin songs.
     
    The show starts with a video tribute to Jason’s Dad John, with a narration from Jason.
     
    Then the show begins.
     
    Throughout the show, Jason tells stories about his Dad, his family, and of course, about Led Zeppelin.
     
    They played many Zeppelin classics, as well as deep album cuts.
     
    I was very close to the stage.
     
    Believe it or not, I was so close that when the bass player threw a guitar pick at my direction, it hit my forehead.
     
    I looked for it on the floor, but I couldn’t find it lol!
     
    But anyway, I had a really fun night.
     
    See the show if you get a chance.
     
    My next stop on my summer concert tour is Cincinnati again on Tuesday, June 7, when my brother Christopher and I will see Steely Dan and Steve Winwood.
     
    More reviews to come.
     
    Rock On!
     

    Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience Band Members:

    • Jason Bonham (Drums)
    • James Dylan (Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar)
    • Tony Catania (Guitar)
    • Dorian Heartsong (Bass)
    • Stephen LeBlanc (Keyboards/Guitar/Lap Steel Guitar)

    Set List:

    1. Rock And Roll
    2. Wearing And Tearing
    3. Over The Hills And Far Away
    4. Good Times, Bad Times
    5. The Wanton Song
    6. What Is And What Should Never Be
    7. Thank You
    8. Since I’ve Been Loving You
    9. Moby Dick (Jason played his Dad’s famous drum solo with his Dad playing with him in sync on a video screen. Pretty cool.)
    10. Going To California
    11. The Rain Song
    12. The Ocean
    13. When The Levee Breaks
    14. Fool In The Rain
    15. Trampled Underfoot
    16. Kashmir
    17. Stairway To Heaven
    18. Encore:  Whole Lotta Love

    Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)


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