• Blog,  Concerts

    3 Favorites: Foreigner/Whitesnake/Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening Concert Review

    I saw another great show in Cincinnati.
     
    Foreigner/Whitesnake/Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening
     
    The show started with JBLZE.
     
    They played a set of Zeppelin classics.
     
    I want a Zeppelin reunion soooo bad (it won’t happen), but Jason is amazing and has a great group.
     
    The singer, James Dylan (no relation to Bob) sounds a lot like Robert Plant.
     
    This was my third time seeing this group, and fourth time seeing Jason.
     
    Great stuff.
     
    Then Whitesnake tore it up!!
     
    They played almost all of their monster 1987 album, plus a few songs from their 84 album Slide It In.
     
    My fourth time seeing WS.
     
    David Coverdale is the man!! I wish I was as confident as he is.
     
    Then Foreigner closed the night with a great set.
     
    My second time seeing them, and they did not disappoint.
     
    Big crowd, great show.
     
    My last until July 29.

    Foreigner Set List:

    1. Long Long Way From Home
    2. Double Vision
    3. Head Games
    4. Cold As Ice
    5. Waiting For A Girl Like You
    6. Dirty White Boy
    7. Feels Like The First Time
    8. Urgent
    9. Starrider
    10. Juke Box Hero
    11. Encore: I Want To Know What Love Is (featuring a local high school choir)
    12. Hot Blooded

    Whitesnake Set List:

    1. Bad Boys
    2. Give Me All Your Love Tonight
    3. Love Ain’t No Stranger
    4. Slow And Easy
    5. Guitar Solos
    6. Crying In The Rain (w/Drum Solo)
    7. Is This Love
    8. Slide It In
    9. Here I Go Again
    10. Still Of The Night

    Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening Set List:

    1. Immigrant Song
    2. Good Times Bad Times
    3. The Ocean
    4. Over The Hills And Far Away
    5. Whole Lotta Love
    6. Rock And Roll
    7. Stairway To Heaven

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Happy Birthday Mom and Dad!! Alison Krauss and ZZ Top/John Fogerty Concert Reviews

    This week I was able to do something not only for myself, but most importantly, for my parents.
     
    On Tuesday, June 12, I took my Mom to see Alison Krauss in concert in Charleston, WV.
     
    And on Thursday, June 14, I took my Dad to see John Fogerty and ZZ Top in concert in Cincinnati, Ohio.
     
    These were early birthday presents to them from me.
     
    I’m not always the best son (usually Moody actually), but I really wanted to give them something special.
     
    I think I did.
     
    Both of them enjoyed their present, and I had a good time, too.
     
    Alison was amazing!
     
    She sang several songs and her band is incredible.
     
    John Fogerty was great. His band is KILLER, especially his drummer and saxophone player.
     
    He played several of his Creedence Clearwater Revival hits, as well as solo hits, covers, and a new song.
     
    My Dad and I thought Fogerty was better than ZZ because he played more songs and had more of a show.
     
    However, ZZ Top were great as usual. Played a lot of hits and brought the amps in your face.
     
    But most importantly, as fun as all of this was, I gave something fun to my parents.
     
    I may not act like it a lot, but I do love them and appreciate them.
     
    I have posted set lists from Fogerty and ZZ Top below.

    ZZ Top Set List:

    1. Got Me Under Pressure
    2. I Thank You
    3. Waitin’ For The Bus
    4. Jesus Just Left Chicago
    5. Gimme All Your Lovin’
    6. Pearl Necklace
    7. I’m Bad I’m Nationwide
    8. I Gotsta Get Paid
    9. Sixteen Tons
    10. Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers
    11. Just Got Paid
    12. Sharp Dressed Man
    13. Legs
    14. Encore: La Grange’
    15. Tush
    16. Encore 2:  Jailhouse Rock

    John Fogerty Set List:

    1. Travelin’ Band
    2. Hey Tonight
    3. Rock And Roll Girls
    4. Who’ll Stop The Rain
    5. Good Golly Miss Molly
    6. Up Around The Bend
    7. Holy Grail
    8. Green River
    9. Love And War
    10. Have You Ever Seen The Rain
    11. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
    12. Long As I Can See The Light
    13. Keep On Chooglin’
    14. Born On The Bayou
    15. Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
    16. New Orleans
    17. Down On The Corner
    18. Centerfield
    19. The Old Man Down The Road
    20. Fortunate Son
    21. Encore: Bad Moon Rising
    22. Proud Mary

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Not Runnin’ On Empty: Jackson Browne Concert Review

    Jackson Browne in concert in Cincinnati.
     
    I almost didn’t go to this, but I’m glad I did.
     
    He played two sets, has a great band, was very loud (love it!!), and the songs. Oh my!!
     
    He still has the voice.
     
    I don’t have time for a lot in my life, but I make time to see great artists like him.

    Set Lists:

    Set 1:

    1. Some Bridges
    2. You Love The Thunder
    3. The Long Way Around
    4. The Dreamer
    5. Lives In The Balance
    6. Sky Blue And Black
    7. Doctor My Eyes
    8. These Days
    9. For A Dancer
    10. For Everyman

    Set 2:

    1. Looking East
    2. Your Bright Baby Blues
    3. For Taking The Trouble
    4. Somebody’s Baby
    5. Red Neck Friend
    6. Never Stop
    7. Lawyers, Guns, & Money (Warren Zevon cover)
    8. In The Shape Of A Heart
    9. The Pretender
    10. Running On Empty
    11. Encore:  Take It Easy
    12. Our Lady Of The Well

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Chicago 2 in Full & More: Chicago Concert Review

    Chicago at Charleston Municipal Auditorium Tuesday May 22, 2018.
     
    My first time seeing this band.
     
    I’ve been a fan for 20 years.
     
    Original members, Singer/keyboardist Robert Lamm, Trombone player Jimmy Pankow, and Trumpet player Lee Loughnane are still there (original Saxophonist Walt Parazaider is out due to health issues. I wish him well.), along with other members who are new to the band, as well as others who have been there for some time.
     
    The show was fantastic.
     
    Great lighting, use of screens, and of course, the sound was impeccable.
     
    They did two sets. First, they played all of their second album, Chicago 2.
     
    They then took a 20 minute break and returned to play a lot of their hits from the late 60s, 70s and 80s.
     
    Again, they’re not all original, but there’s still enough foundation for them to be called Chicago.
     
    This is their 51st Anniversary as a band.
     
    They’re still going strong.
     
    My next concert is Jackson Browne June 5 in Cincinnati.
     
    But first, I have to have nose surgery later today to clear out my passages.
     
    Wish me luck.
     
    Love and Peace always.

    Set List:

    1. Movin’ In
    2. The Road
    3. Poem For The People
    4. In The Country
    5. Wake Up Sunshine
    6. Make Me Smile
    7. So Much To Say, So Much To Give
    8. Anxiety’s Moment
    9. West Virginia Fantasies
    10. Colour My World
    11. To Be Free
    12. Now More Than Ever
    13. Fancy Colors
    14. Memories Of Love
    15. It Better End Soon
    16. Where Do We Go From Here
    17. 25 Or 6 To 4
    18. Beginnings
    19. Questions 67 & 68
    20. If You Leave Me Now
    21. Dialogue (Part 1 & 2)
    22. Call On Me
    23. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
    24. Hard Habit To Break
    25. You’re The Inspiration
    26. I’m A Man
    27. Street Player
    28. Just You ‘N’ Me
    29. Hard To Say I’m Sorry/Get Away
    30. Saturday In The Park
    31. Feelin’ Stronger Every Day

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    A Long Rocking Night: Foo Fighters/The Struts Concert Review

    I FINALLY saw Foo Fighters in Lexington last week.
     
    They’re not my favorite band, but I do like them, Dave Grohl is a super talent, and the band is very good at what they do.
     
    They played a lot of songs and gave the fans their money’s worth.
     
    The Struts opened and were very good, also.  I was super impressed with them.
     
    Go see them both.
     
    My next concert is the band Chicago May 22.
     
    More after that.
     
    Bring on a Them Crooked Vultures reunion!!!!

    Foo Fighters Set List:

    1. Run
    2. All My Life
    3. Learn To Fly
    4. The Pretender
    5. The Sky Is A Neighborhood
    6. Rope (w/Drum Solo)
    7. Sunday Rain
    8. My Hero
    9. These Days
    10. Walk
    11. Breakout
    12. Under My Wheels (Alice Cooper cover, sung by guitarist Chris Shiflett)
    13. You’re The One That I Want/Imagine/Jump/Blitzkrieg Bop
    14. Under Pressure (Queen cover, sung by FF Drummer Taylor Hawkins and The Struts singer Luke Spiller, Dave played drums)
    15. Monkey Wrench
    16. Times Like These
    17. Young Man Blues (Mose Allison cover)
    18. Best Of You
    19. Encore:  Dirty Water
    20. This Is A Call
    21. Let There Be Rock (AC/DC cover)
    22. Everlong

    The Struts Set List:

    1. Put Your Hands Up
    2. These Times Are Changing
    3. The Ol’ Switcheroo
    4. Pimadonna Like Me
    5. Kiss This
    6. Put Your Money On Me
    7. Where Did She Go
    8. Could Have Been Me

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Hello Cleveland! Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2018 Review

    I also went to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, OH.
     
    I will NEVER agree with the way they vote people in, but I still wanted to see the show.
     
    My best friend Jamie went with me.
     
    We went to the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Museum first, which was a lot of fun.  I definitely want to go there again.
     
    Now to the show.
     
    It was really special seeing the original Bon Jovi band together.
     
    Jon Bon Jovi gave a great speech.
     
    Howard Stern, who inducted them, gave a great, funny speech.
     
    Dire Straits did not perform because Mark and David Knopfler did not attend.
     
    The tributes to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Nina Simone were fun.
     
    Especially when Lauryn Hill did some Nina Simone songs.
     
    She was incredible.
     
    Ann Wilson and Jerry Cantrell paid tribute to Chris Cornell and played Black Hole Sun, which was cool. I was not expecting that.
     
    I’ll get to The Moody Blues in a second, but the biggest highlight of the night for me was seeing The Cars!!!
     
    They reunited specifically for this occasion.
     
    They had not done anything in 7 years, but on this night, it was like they never stopped.
     
    I’m very glad I saw them.
    They tore it up!!!!!!
     
    The Moody Blues closed the show and were cool.
     
    Each artist had 4 songs.
     
    The show was 4.5 hours. HBO aired 3 hours of it this past Saturday. Check repeats or on HBOGO for repeats.
     
    I’m not being super descriptive here, but again, you get the drift that I’m continuing to live out my dream/obsession.
     
    Most people want marriages and kids. God bless all of you, but what I want is the next concert experience.
     
    And believe me, I have more coming.

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    3 Classic Rock Shows in 1 Night: REO Speedwagon/Styx/Don Felder Concert Review

    Here is another show I went to.
     
    REO Speedwagon/Styx/Don Felder (guitarist of the Eagles).
     
    Don started first with an hour of Eagles classics.
     
    He actually sang Henley/Frey songs, and he sang them well.
     
    His band was tight, and he even had Tommy Shaw of Styx and Dave Amato of REO come out to play Hotel California with him.
     
    Tommy also sang with Don on Take It Easy.
     
    Again, his set was great.
     
    Then, Styx took the stage and tore it up!!!!!
     
    I had seen them before, and knew they were fantastic in concert.
     
    They were this night, too.
     
    REO I had not seen and unfortunately had to leave 5 songs in because I had to get to work.
     
    But I liked what I saw and heard and am glad I saw what I saw.
     
    I hope to see them again someday (Edit:  I did.).
     
    Another fun show in the book.

    REO Speedwagon Set List:

    1. Don’t Let Him Go
    2. In Your Letter
    3. Keep Pushin’
    4. Can’t Fight This Feeling
    5. Tough Guys
    6. Whipping Boy
    7. That Ain’t Love
    8. Take It On The Run
    9. Time For Me To Fly
    10. Back On The Road Again
    11. Ridin’ The Storm Out
    12. Keep On Loving You
    13. Roll With The Changes
    14. Listen To Her Heart (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers cover)

    Styx Set List:

    1. Gone Gone Gone
    2. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
    3. The Grand Illusion
    4. Lady
    5. Light Up
    6. Radio Silence
    7. Miss America
    8. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
    9. Too Much Time On My Hands
    10. Khedive
    11. Lawrence Gowan Solo (did some of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen)
    12. Come Sail Away
    13. Rockin’ The Paradise
    14. Renegade

    Don Felder Set List:

    1. Already Gone
    2. One Of These Nights
    3. Heavy Metal (Takin’ A Ride)
    4. Seven Bridges Road
    5. Witchy Woman
    6. The Long Run
    7. Take It Easy
    8. Heartache Tonight
    9. Life In The Fast Lane
    10. Hotel California

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Fast As A Shark: U.D.O. Dirkschneider Concert Review

    Here is another show I went to.
     
    U.D.O. Dirkschneider, the former singer of the band Accept.
     
    I saw him do an all Accept set in Louisville.
     
    I was so close that he actually high-fived me!!!
     
    Two hours of Metal!!
     
    Great show.
     
    Don’t have much to say on this one, other than I’m glad I got to see U.D.O.  since he doesn’t come to America as much these days.
     
    He’s still putting out great albums and can still sing all those Accept songs well.

    Set List:

    1. The Beast Inside
    2. Aiming High
    3. Bulletproof
    4. Midnight Mover
    5. Living For Tonite
    6. Another Second To Be
    7. Fight It Back
    8. Can’t Stand The Night
    9. Amamos la Vida
    10. London Leatherboys
    11. Up To The Limit
    12. Breaker
    13. Screaming For A Love-Bite
    14. Love Child
    15. Objection Overruled
    16. Russian Roulette
    17. Encore:  Princess Of The Dawn
    18. Metal Heart
    19. Fast As A Shark
    20. Balls To The Wall

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  • Blog,  Concerts

    Schenker Fest: Michael Schenker Concert Review

    My first concert of 2018 is another one for the books.
     
    I saw the Michael Schenker Fest in Cleveland.
     
    Michael is a super amazing guitarist who has played with Scorpions, UFO, his own group Michael Schenker Group, and others.
     
    On this tour, as well as his latest album Resurrection, he has three of his classic singers with him, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet, and Robin McAuley, as well as current singer Doogie White.
     
    Yes four singers!!!!
     
    His rhythm section is one he had in the early 80s.
     
    They include bassist Chris Glen and Ted McKenna, and second guitarist/keyboardist Steve Mann.
     
    Believe it or not, all of these musicians make a fun and loud rock show.
     
    Several songs from Michael’s past and present, with each singer having their moments to shine, not only on their own, but together.
     
    This was a very fun show.
     
    I went with my friend Kevin Montavon and we had a great time.
     
    Michael is a true genius on the guitar.
     
    If you don’t know who he is, look him up.
     
    Rock And Roll!!!!
     
    More shows to come.
     
    My next one is April 3 in Louisville, KY, in which I will be seeing Accept singer UDO Dirkschneider.

    Set List:

    1. Into The Arena
    2. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
    3. Cry For The Nations
    4. Attack Of The Mad Axeman
    5. Messin’ Around
    6. Armed And Ready
    7. Coast To Coast
    8. Desert Song
    9. Dancer
    10. Night Moods
    11. Searching For A Reason
    12. Assault Attack
    13. Captain Nemo
    14. Bad Boys
    15. Save Yourself
    16. Anytime
    17. Heart And Soul
    18. Love Is Not A Game
    19. Searching For Freedom
    20. Live and Let Live
    21. Vigilante Man
    22. Lord Of The Lost And Lonely
    23. Take Me To The Church
    24. Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
    25. Warrior
    26. Rock Bottom
    27. Encore:  Doctor Doctor
    28. Shoot Shoot
    29. Natural Thing
    30. Lights Out

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  • Blog,  Conventions

    A Long But Rewarding Day: My Lexington Comic & Toy Convention 2018 Experience

    Well, aside from having to wait in line much too many times and being disorganized, Lexington ComicCon was fun.
     
    I wish I could’ve accomplished more, but I accomplished a lot.
     
    I met my hero Chuck Norris twice!!! On his birthday, no less.
     
    The first time to get his autograph and give him his birthday card I bought for him.
     
    And I got my picture taken with him later.
     
    Very kind man. All smiles, very appreciative, and when I told him he was the highlight of Expendables 2 for me (one of my favorite movies), he told me it was a lot of fun to do.
     
    He did appreciate the card. I wasn’t sure if security would allow it, but I saw someone before me had given him one, also.
     
    He definitely had the biggest turnout of fans, and deservedly so, in my opinion.
     
    He’s not done many of these types of events, so for him to be there was HUGE.
     
    I first met wrestling manager Jim Cornette.
     
    I almost missed his photo op.
     
    He was walking away, and I came up behind him shouting his name. He turned around and I introduced myself, and he was very gracious and cool.
     
    I told him I had already paid for the photo, and he said, oh let’s go back and get it done.
     
    He soon invited me over to his merch table to hang out, but I was not able to until near the end of my day. But when I did, again, he was beyond cool.
     
    I had some email exchanges with him recently over some DVDs I had bought from his website that were incomplete.
     
    He sent me complete ones later. He told me he appreciated me telling him.
     
    I bought a couple of other wrestling DVDs from him and he signed them, as well as the picture.
     
    Everyone I talked to was cool, but he was the most sociable one.
     
    I told him he was one of the last people I was seeing before heading home, and then work.
     
    I told him where I came from, and he told me to be careful driving home twice.
     
    Again, great guy.
     
    I also met Jonathan Frakes, who played Commander Riker on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
     
    My encounter with him was very brief, unfortunately, but still, I’m glad I met him.
     
    He gave me a fist bump and when I told him it was a pleasure meeting him, he said “likewise”.
     
    He did a Q&A later, which someone filmed and I retweeted and shared the link on Facebook, but I wasn’t able to go because I chose to walk around more and get some more stuff.
     
    Next up was Wrestler/Actor Kevin Nash.
     
    I’ve been a fan of his for some time.
     
    Very smart and funny guy. Very tall, too.
     
    I first got my picture with him, and later went to his merch table so that he could sign the picture.
     
    Again, cool guy.
     
    When you see the picture, you’ll notice I’m not smiling. It’s only because I was trying to imitate his friend Scott Hall, who I’m also a fan of.
     
    I also met wrestler Booker T. I wasn’t sure if I would meet him, but I figured why not?
     
    His line wasn’t huge, and I’m a fan of his, too.
     
    I had seen him in person twice before at two different wrestling shows.
     
    He was very talkative, not only to me, but to anyone else he met. I got my picture taken with him, as well an autographed picture.
     
    Again, great guy.
     
    The last person I met was actor Billy Dee Williams.
     
    He’s most famous for playing Lando Calrissian in two Star Wars movies.
     
    Again, nice guy, soft spoken.
     
    I had to ask him if he thought he may star in Star Wars Episode 9. He said “I don’t think so” (Edit:  He did star in Episode 9 later on.).
     
    I’m glad I was able to meet him because his photo op schedule initially was after I was going to be gone, but luckily, it got moved to right before I was going to leave.
     
    So that worked out great.
     
    I initially just got an autographed picture from him, but later got my picture taken with him.
     
    Again, I wasn’t able to see everyone. But I accomplished a lot and in the end, it was a great day.
     
    It’s not everyday you get to meet heroes of yours. And even give one of them a birthday card.
     
    Wow!!!
     
    Oh and my cousin Zachary went with me and he had fun too.

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