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Best Night of My Life: The Rolling Stones w/Kid Rock Opening Concert Review
- Date of Concert: May 30, 2015
- Location of Concert: Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH
- Opener: Kid Rock
Happy Sunday everyone!!Well, a dream finally came true for me last night.What you might ask?I saw “The Greatest Rock And Roll Band In The World” The Rolling Stones in concert!!!!They played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus for more than 2 hours, and I swear it was the best night of my life.They played so many hits and the show just got better and better all night.For anyone who wants to make fun of them and say they’re too old, think again and go see them live.They are better than everyone.Trust me, I have seen nearly everyone I want to see in concert, and no one holds a candle to The Rolling Stones.I actually cried a little when they played their song “Gimme Shelter”.Maybe some of you think that’s weird, but I don’t care.That is how special this night was for me.It truly was a dream come true, and I honestly do not expect this concert to ever be topped.Oh and Kid Rock opened and he was fine (not a big fan), but I was there to see The Stones.Truly the best night of my life.The Rolling Stones Band Members:
- Mick Jagger (Lead Vocals/Occasional Guitar/Harmonica)
- Keith Richards (Guitar/Vocals)
- Charlie Watts (Drums)
- Ronnie Wood (Guitar)
The Rolling Stones Set List:
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash
- It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll ( But I Like It)
- Let’s Spend The Night Together
- Tumbling Dice
- Doom And Gloom
- Bitch
- Wild Horses
- Hang On Sloopy
- Paint It Black
- Honky Tonk Women
- Before They Make Me Run
- Happy
- Midnight Rambler
- Miss You
- Gimme Shelter
- Start Me Up
- Sympathy For The Devil
- Brown Sugar
- Encore: You Can’t Always Get What You Want
- (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
Kid Rock Set List:
- Bawitdaba
- Good Times, Cheap Wine
- You Never Met A Motherfucker Quite Like Me
- American Bad Ass
- The Star-Spangled Banner
- Midnight Rider/Cowboy
- 3 Sheets To The Wind (What’s My Name)
- Cat Scratch Fever
- All Summer Long
- Forty
- Born Free
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I Saw a Hero of Mine in Person: Arnold Sports Festival Arnold Sunday Showcase Review
- Date of Event: March 8, 2015
- Location of Event: Hilton Grand Ballroom in Columbus, OH
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of my biggest heroes.
I’ve been a fan since was a little kid.
I’ve always loved his movies and basically everything about him.
I never thought I would ever be able to see him in person.
Well, that finally happened.
He and a local Columbus businessman, Jim Lorimer, started the Arnold Sports Festival in the 1970s, to showcase all kinds of sports and athletes, particularly bodybuilding, which Arnold first made his name doing.
It has gotten bigger each year (it’s a 4 day event and it encompasses A LOT), and Arnold is always there to give out awards and to speak.
Well, I decided to finally go to his seminar that he does on the last day of the festival.
He speaks for roughly 45 minutes to an hour, or more depending on what he’s talking about, which is usually about how the event has gone, the main bodybuilding tournament from the previous night (The Arnold Classic), and current or upcoming projects, if any.
He takes questions from the audience sometimes too.
I was not able to ask him a question, but just seeing him was a huge honor for me.
I’m very glad I went and I will go again.
I love you Arnold!!
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I Met Mr. Eric Braeden (Victor Newman)
- Date of Event: January 16, 2015
- Location of Event: WOWK-TV 13 News in Charleston, WV
I met a very gracious guy last night at work.
Actor Eric Braeden, star of Young & The Restless, visited WOWK-TV’s studio to be interviewed on 13 News at 7. He was there to promote his meet and greet at the Charleston Town Center, which is today from 2:30-4:30.
Before he was interviewed, I was able to meet and talk with him briefly.
He autographed a Y&R DVD for me and I had my picture taken with him.
For anyone who does not know, Eric Braeden has been on Young & The Restless since 1980, playing the role of businessman Victor Newman.
He has appeared in several other TV shows, including The Rat Patrol, The Six Million Dollar Man, the original Hawaii Five-O, and Gunsmoke.
He has also starred in several movies, including Colussus: The Forbin Project, Escape From The Planet Of The Apes, and Titanic.
Mr. Braeden is also active on Twitter. His hashtag is @EBraeden. He actually tweeted me last week, which was cool.
It was an honor meeting him.Update in 2023: Mr. Braeden I can say has been very gracious to me since this meeting, occasionally giving me life advice. Great man.
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I Met Jake “The Snake” Roberts
- Date of Event: December 14, 2014
- Location of Event: The Inner Geek at Ashland Town Center Mall in Ashland, KY
Moments like this do not suck.
I met one of my biggest heroes, wrestling legend and WWE Hall Of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Saturday at an autograph signing in Ashland, KY.
I have been a fan of his for 25 years and will continue to be a fan for life.
Jake has gone through a lot, especially in the past few years, and I am happy for him, and proud of him for coming out the other side.
It was a pleasure to meet you Jake.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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Finally!! I saw Pearl Jam. My Concert Review
- Date of Concert: October 1, 2014
- Location of Concert: U.S.Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH
It took me long enough, but I finally saw Pearl Jam.
My best friend Jamie and I went to Cincinnati to see them.
It was great, long show.
Lots and lots of songs.
They more than give you your money’s worth.
I don’t think he was drunk, but singer Eddie Vedder was walking around stage throughout the night with a HUGE bottle of wine or something.
He even shared it with the crowd at one point.
He even dove out into the audience at one point and he was standing on top of some of them. They held him up.
If you’re a Pearl Jam fan and have not seen them, you SHOULD.
And if you see them multiple times, you will get a different show each time because they always change up the set list.
Great time.
Pearl Jam Band Members:
- Eddie Vedder (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- Stone Gossard (Guitar)
- Mike McCready (Guitar)
- Jeff Ament (Bass)
- Matt Cameron (Drums)
Pearl Jam Set List:
- Pendulum
- Nothingman
- Of The Girl
- Mind Your Manners
- Lightning Bolt
- Corduroy
- Spin The Black Circle
- Got Some
- Even Flow
- Sirens
- Love Boat Captain (w/Jumpin’ Jack Flash guitar tease)
- Present Time
- Daughter
- State Of Love And Trust
- Waiting On A Friend (The Rolling Stones Cover)
- Jeremy
- Comatose
- Setting Forth (Eddie Vedder Song)
- Porch
- Encore: Sleeping By Myself (Eddie Vedder Song)
- Man Of The Hour
- Parachutes
- All Those Yesterdays
- Elderly Woman Behind The Counter in a Small Town
- Given To Fly
- Unthought Known
- Do The Evolution
- Better Man
- Encore 2: Black
- The Real Me (The Who Cover)
- Alive
- Rockin’ In The Free World (Neil Young Cover)
- Yellow Ledbetter (w/The Star-Spangled Banner)
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You Go Chris: Chris Robinson Brotherhood Concert Review
- Date of Concert: September 9, 2014
- Location of Concert: Park Street Patio in Columbus, OH
My best friend Jamie and I went to see Chris Robinson Brotherhood.
I had seen Chris’ band The Black Crowes once but never this band.
He formed this after The Crowes stopped for awhile.
It’s very much a jam band.
Lots of songs and jamming.
Chris even plays rhythm guitar, which he doesn’t do in The Crowes.
Really good band. Small, but cool place.
We were right at the front all night.
Good stuff.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood Band Members:
- Chris Robinson (Lead Vocals/Rhythm Guitar)
- Neal Casal (Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals)
- Mark Dutton (Bass/Backing Vocals)
- George Sluppick (Drums)
- Adam MacDougall (Keyboards)
Chris Robinson Brotherhood Set Lists:
Set 1:
- Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham (Delaney Bramlett Cover)
- Tomorrow Blues
- Shore Power
- It Serves You Right To Suffer (John Lee Hooker Cover)
- Meanwhile In The Gods…
- Badlands Here We Come
- Reflections On A Broken Mirror
- Poor Elijah/Tribute To Johnson (Delaney & Bonnie Cover)
Set 2:
- Try Rock And Roll (Bobby Mitchell Cover)
- Tornado (The Black Crowes song)
- A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall (Bob Dylan Cover)
- About A Stranger
- Beggar’s Moon
- Clear Blue Sky & The Good Doctor
- Vibration & Light Suite
- Rosalee
- Encore: Betty & Dupree (Chuck Willis Cover)
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Part 2: KISS/Def Leppard Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 26, 2014
- Location of Concert: Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH
- Opener: The Dead Daisies
My cousin (more like little brother) Zachary and my best friend Jamie went to see KISS and Def Leppard at a venue we had not been to before.
The venue itself was nice, but the parking was atrocious.
It took us at least 2 or more hours to get out of there after the show.
OH MY GOSH!!!!
The show itself was great, EXCEPT, that there was also rain.
If we were under the roof (it was an outdoor amphitheater), it would have been fine, but we were on the lawn.
Now we thought there was not supposed to be any rain until after the show, but of course, the rain started IMMEDIATELY once Def Leppard took the stage and rained throughout their entire set.
They were awesome, but we were soaked.
I told Jamie and Zachary that if it’s still raining during KISS’ set, that we will leave after a few songs. Of course, the rain ended IMMEDIATELY once Def Leppard were done.
Again, we were soaked and never quite dried off for some time.
I was not going to buy any shirts at this show, but since we were so wet, I felt like I needed to, and I did.
OK negatives aside, the show itself was great.
The Dead Daisies, who I had never heard of at that point, opened.
They were a solid rock band.
I recognized their bassist, Marco Mendoza, who is a great talent.
Otherwise, I knew nothing about them (edit: I later knew a lot about them and saw them a few more times after that. Even met them once but that’s in another review. Read on.)
Then Def Leppard took the stage, playing an amazing set as always.
Like I said in a previous review, you really have to be great to go on after them.
But KISS is the band to do it.
And as always, they delivered another great set.
They always make me happy and feel like I’m 16.
I love these bands. So much so that this was the second time Jamie and I saw this tour (see previous 2014 review).
I hope I don’t get rained on like that again and the parking stunk, but otherwise, a fun time was had by all.
Def Leppard Band Members:
- Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
- Rick "Sav" Savage (Bass/Backing Vocals)
- Rick Allen (Drums)
- Phil Collen (Guitar/Backing Vocals)
- Vivian Campbell (Guitar/Backing Vocals)
KISS Band Members:
- Paul Stanley (Vocals/Guitar)
- Gene Simmons (Vocals/Bass)
- Eric Singer (Drums/Vocals)
- Tommy Thayer (Guitar/Vocals)
Def Leppard Set List:
- Let It Go
- Animal
- Foolin’
- Love Bites
- Let’s Get Rocked
- Two Steps Behind (Acoustic)
- Bringin’ On Heartbreak (Acoustic/Electric)
- Switch 625
- Hysteria
- Rocket
- Armageddon It
- Pour Some Sugar On Me
- Encore: Rock Of Ages
- Photograph
KISS Setlist:
- Psycho Circus
- Deuce
- Shout It Out Loud
- War Machine
- Hotter Than Hell
- I Love It Loud
- Lick It Up
- Bass Solo
- God Of Thunder
- Hide Your Heart
- Calling Dr. Love
- Cold Gin
- Love Gun
- Black Diamond
- Detroit Rock City
- Rock And Roll All Nite
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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Awesome Rock and Roll: Aerosmith/Slash w/Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 22, 2014
- Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
My best friend Jamie and I went to see Aerosmith and Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators.
This my 3rd time seeing Aerosmith but my first time seeing Slash/Myles and the Conspirators.
Slash/Myles/The Conspirators opened the show with roughly 45-50 minutes of awesome rock and roll.
I love this group. This is the best band Slash has had since he was in Guns N Roses (edit: two years later, he would rejoin GNR but also continue this band too).
Myles Kennedy is one of the best singers of all time. Yes I said of all time. Trust me he’s that great. Seek him out. And he’s a phenomenal guitarist too.
The band itself is solid as a rock but Slash and Myles to me are the new Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith. They have such chemistry together. It’s magic.
In fact, I’ll say that they blew Aerosmith off the stage.
Yes they did!!
However, Aerosmith were good too of course.
They’re one of my favorite bands ever.
Steven Tyler still is an amazing singer.
Joe Perry and Brad Whitford are phenomenal guitarists.
Tom Hamilton is a great bassist.
And Joey Kramer is one of my favorite drummers ever.
You cannot go wrong with Aerosmith.
Again honest opinion: I (and Jamie too) think that Slash/Myles blew Aerosmith off the stage. We both said to each other we could go home after them because we were happy.
But of course, we stayed for Aerosmith and I’m glad we did.
Great great show.
Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators Band Members:
- Slash (Guitar)
- Myles Kennedy (Lead Vocals/Guitar)
- Todd Kerns (Bass/Backing Vocals)
- Brent Fitz (Drums)
- Frank Sidoris (Guitar)
Aerosmith Band Members:
- Steven Tyler (Lead Vocals)
- Joe Perry (Guitar/Vocals)
- Brad Whitford (Guitar)
- Tom Hamilton (Bass)
- Joey Kramer (Drums)
Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators Set List:
- You’re A Lie
- Nightrain
- Back From Cali
- World On Fire
- You Could Be Mine
- Anastasia
- By The Sword
- Mr. Brownstone
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Slither
- Paradise City
Aerosmith Set List:
- Back In The Saddle
- Eat The Rich
- Love In An Elevator
- Cryin’
- Livin’ On The Edge
- Monkey On My Back
- Kings And Queens
- Toys In The Attic
- Rag Doll
- Freedom Fighter
- Big Ten Inch Record
- Rats In The Cellar
- I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
- No More No More
- Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
- Walk This Way
- Encore: Dream On
- Sweet Emotion
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Two Favorites Together: KISS/Def Leppard Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 15, 2014
- Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
My best friend Jamie and I went to see two phenomenal bands: KISS (our favorite) and Def Leppard (a favorite) in Cincinnati.
They had never toured together before so this was a great opportunity to see these band together.
It was a co-headline (meaning each band gets the same amount of set time) but Def Leppard would always go on first and KISS would close.
Def Leppard are always phenomenal live and put most bands to shame in concert.
You HAVE to be on your game to go on after them, otherwise, you will be crushed, because they’re that great.
Great discography, tons of hits, everyone sings great, awesome stage set, BIG!
This was my 2nd time seeing Def Leppard. Love them.
KISS closed the show, as I said.
This was my 5th time seeing them and even though I have many favorites, they are my number one favorite band.
They always make me happy and feel like I’m 16 again every time I see them (they were my first concert in 1998 when I was 16).
The current lineup of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer, and Tommy Thayer always deliver the goods.
They dug deep a little bit into their catalog here and played a song they had not played in many years (Hide Your Heart from their 1989 Hot In The Shade album), along with Hotter Than Hell from the album of the same name, which they have played a lot, but I had not seen them play it before.
Great show from both bands.
However, this night was emotional for me in another sense that my Pawpaw 4 days before this show.
We had just had his wake and funeral service the previous few days, so I was going into this show with that grief still fresh.
And I did cry a little at this show because I was still feeling it.
I’m very sad that Pawpaw died, but what breaks my heart the most is seeing my Granny cry.
I had NEVER seen her cry in my life until he died.
They were together 67 years. Forever joined at the hip. From beginning to end.
(Edit: My Granny died 5 years later, in 2019. Beyond heartbreaking to me and I’ll never get over it.)
Life will never be the same in my family.
But having said that, he lived a long and great, full life.
Can’t ask for anything more.
I love and miss you Pawpaw (and Granny)!!!!
Def Leppard Band Members:
- Joe Elliott (Lead Vocals)
- Rick "Sav" Savage (Bass/Backing Vocals)
- Rick Allen (Drums)
- Phil Collen (Guitar/Backing Vocals)
- Vivian Campbell (Guitar/Backing Vocals))
KISS Band Members:
- Paul Stanley (Vocals/Guitar)
- Gene Simmons (Vocals/Bass)
- Eric Singer (Drums/Vocals)
- Tommy Thayer (Guitar/Vocals)
Def Leppard Set List:
- Let It Go
- Animal
- Foolin’
- Love Bites
- Let’s Get Rocked
- Two Steps Behind (Acoustic)
- Bringin’ On The Heartbreak (Acoustic/Electric)
- Switch 625
- Hysteria (w/Beth by KISS tag)
- Rocket
- Armageddon It
- Pour Some Sugar On Me
- Encore: Rock Of Ages
- Photograph
KISS Setlist:
- Psycho Circus
- Deuce
- Shout It Out Loud
- War Machine
- Hotter Than Hell
- I Love It Loud
- Lick It Up
- Bass Solo
- God Of Thunder
- Hide Your Heart
- Calling Dr. Love
- Cold Gin
- Love Gun
- Black Diamond
- Detroit Rock City
- Rock And Roll All Nite
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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What a Motley Crew!!: Motley Crue/Alice Cooper Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 6, 2014
- Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
My best friend Jamie and I went to see Motley Crue and Alice Cooper at my favorite venue: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH.
I’ve been going to this venue since the summer of 1999 when I first saw Motley Crue actually.
This was my 7th time seeing them and my 3rd time seeing Alice.
Alice started the night with an awesome show, as usual.
His songs are timeless (he’s still making awesome new albums) and his band is always solid as a rock.
There’s no such thing as a bad Alice show. It just doesn’t happen.
Go see him if you get a chance. He tours all the time.
Then later on, Motley took the stage.
They are one of my favorite bands of all time.
I’ve always thought of them as more of a gang than as a band.
Through all their ups and downs, they always come back.
This is their “Final Tour” (edit: they later returned in 2019 to record some new songs for their biopic The Dirt and started touring again in 2022) but truth or fiction, I always have fun at a Motley show.
Say what you want about singer Vince Neil (he tends to skip words when he sings live) but he really does sing live and every time I’ve seen them, he sings enough that the skipping of words never bothers me. And I’ve always loved his voice.
Tommy Lee is one of my favorite drummers.
Bassist Nikki Sixx is one of my favorite songwriters (he’s written most of Motley’s great discography).
Guitarist Mick Mars (edit: John 5 took over on guitar in 2023) is one of my favorite guitarists and he never gets enough credit for the great playing he always delivers.
I love these guys, through thick and thin.
Go see them if you can. They always put on a fun rock and roll show.
And at the end of the show, they played on a stage in the audience, which was really cool.
Alice Cooper Band Members:
- Alice Cooper (Lead Vocals)
- Ryan Roxie (Guitar)
- Tommy Hendriksen (Guitar)
- Nita Strauss (Guitar)
- Chuck Garric (Bass/Vocals)
- Glen Sobel (Drums)
Motley Crue Band Members:
- Vince Neil (Lead Vocals)
- Mick Mars (Guitar)
- Nikki Sixx (Bass)
- Tommy Lee (Drums)
Alice Cooper Set List:
- Hello, Hooray
- No More Mr. Nice Guy
- Under My Wheels
- I’m Eighteen
- Billion Dollar Babies
- Poison
- Dirty Diamonds
- Welcome To My Nightmare
- Feed My Frankenstein
- Ballad of Dwight Fry
- Killer
- I Love The Dead
- School’s Out
Motley Crue Set List:
- Moterfucker Of The Year
- Wild Side
- Primal Scream
- Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)
- Looks That Kill
- On With The Show
- Too Fast For Love
- All Bad Things (Not sure if this was played)
- Smokin’ In The Boys Room (Brownsville Station Cover)
- Without You
- Saints Of Los Angeles
- Anarchy In The U.K. (The Sex Pistols Cover)
- Too Young To Fall In Love
- Shout At The Devil 97
- Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
- Mick Guitar Solo
- Live Wire
- Dr. Feelgood
- Girls, Girls, Girls
- Kickstart My Heart
- Encore: Home Sweet Home (on B-Stage in the audience)
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