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Concert of the Year: Mammoth WVH w/Plush Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 7, 2021
- Location of Concert: The House Of Blues Cleveland in Cleveland, OH
- Opener: Plush
My pick em for my concert of the year (yes I have more awesome ones to see this year as long as the world doesn’t shut down), but this is how awesome this show was.With my friend Kevin Montavon, I saw the third ever headline date of Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth WVH.They rocked the House of Blues Cleveland.He’s currently on tour opening for Guns N Roses, but he’s also doing some headline dates.Again, this was headline show number three.He and the band received an incredible response, and they delivered!!!They played most of Wolfgang’s debut album, called Mammoth WVH, it’s Japan bonus track, and an unreleased song.Wolfgang is the real deal.He joined his Dad’s band, Van Halen, at 16 years old (he’s 30 now) as the bass player.Well let me tell you, he can play bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, writes great songs, and is a PHENOMENAL singer.His album is probably going to be my album of the year.I love every song on it, and the bonus track and unreleased song are both great too.Even though he has a great band, his album is solely performed by him.Again, he can do it all, and regardless of who he is related to, he deserves all the success that comes to him.I can’t wait to buy more albums from him in the future and to see him in concert again someday.Rock on Wolfgang!!!!More shows to come.Oh and the opening band Plush, an all girl band, are very good too and I look forward to their debut album (Edit: I did buy it and it’s very good).They played mostly original songs and a Heart cover (Barracuda).Check Plush out too. They are also the real deal.Mammoth WVH Set List:
- Don’t Back Down
- Horribly Right
- Mammoth
- Mr. Ed
- Resolve
- Talk & Walk
- Think It Over
- You’re To Blame
- The Big Picture
- Circles
- Feel
- Stone
- Encore: Distance
- Epiphany
- As Long As You’re Not You
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Sweet Baby James & The Pretender: James Taylor/Jackson Browne Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 6, 2021
- Location of Concert: Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in Charleston, WV
I saw another really fun concert.This time near where I work, in Charleston, WV.I saw James Taylor and Jackson BrowneJackson played an hour set of hits and three songs from his great new album Downhill From Everywhere.This was the second time I saw Jackson in concert.Great both times. He still sings phenomenally well and his band is great.James even came out and sang/played the song The Pretender with Jackson!!After roughly a 30 minute change over, James Taylor and his great band came on and played roughly an hour and 40/hour and 45 minutes.My first time seeing James.Lots of classics. Jackson returned the favor and came on and did Take It Easy with James, as well as the final song of the night.Great show.James has a very good sense of humor and everyone was having fun.His saxophone player was in The Blues Brothers!!One of his backing singers used to work with Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston.Another backing singer has worked with Phil Collins for decades.And another backing singer is one of James’ sons.Again, both sets were great.Fun night.More to come.Jackson Browne Set List:
- I’m Alive
- The Long Way Around
- Fountain Of Sorrow
- Downhill From Everywhere
- My Cleveland Heart
- Until Justice Is Real
- Doctor My Eyes
- Late For The Sky
- The Pretender (w/James Taylor)
- Running On Empty
James Taylor Set List:
- Country Road
- That’s Why I’m Here
- Never Die Young
- Copperline
- Mexico
- You Make It Easy
- Line Em Up
- Chili Dog/Steamroller
- As Easy As Rolling Off A Log
- Sweet Baby James
- Fire And Rain
- Carolina In My Mind
- Shower The People
- How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)
- Encore: Shed A Little Light
- Take It Easy (w/Jackson Browne)
- You’ve Got A Friend
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Still Delivering the Rebel Yell: Billy Idol Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 3, 2021
- Location of Concert: The Rose Music Center at The Heights in Huber Heights, OH
- Opener: The Foxies
He, long time awesome guitarist Steve Stevens, and the band rocked the house with hits, deeper cuts, and actually some new songs that will be out next month as part of a 4 song EP.Billy Idol still has that voice and look of his and Steve Stevens still has his big hair.But they rock and the band is solid.Billy kept throwing drumsticks, frisbees, and even one of his shirts to fans.Fun show.The opening band, The Foxies, were a lot of fun too.Two more concerts to see this week.I can’t wait!Billy Idol Set List:
- Cradle Of Love
- Dancing With Myself
- Flesh For Fantasy
- Rita Hayworth (New Song)
- Scream
- Bitter Taste (New Single)
- Eyes Without A Face
- Acoustic Guitar Solo Piece (Incl. Over The Hills and Far Away and Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin)
- Mony Mony
- One Hundred Punks (Generation X song, which Billy said he had not sung since being in that band.)
- Blue Highway (Incl. Guitar Solo/Top Gun Theme bit)
- Rebel Yell
- Born To Lose (Johnny Thunders song-1st time played on this tour)
- White Wedding
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Two Great Bands: Winger/Autograph Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 31, 2021
- Location of Concert: Rock The Block Wilmington in Wilmington, OH
My girlfriend Mariah Startzman and I saw Winger and Autograph in concert last night in Wilmington, Ohio.It was a very fun night of music.Autograph, mostly known for the song Turn Up The Radio, did a very rocking set, mixing old and new songs.Bassist Randy Rand is the only original member but the whole band was great (Edit: Randy unfortunately passed away April 26, 2022. Forever missed).The current singer, Simon Daniels, who also plays guitar, was really really good.Rounding out the band was lead guitarist Jimi Bell and drummer Marc Wieland.Very fun set.Now Winger I’ve been wanting to see for a long time, but just never got the chance.I love their older albums but I really love the albums they’ve done in the last 15 years (they’re currently making a new album).They played a lot of old songs and some of the newer songs. All great.Kip Winger is still an incredible singer/musician.Reb Beach is one of my favorite guitarists.It’s actually the original band (Singer/bassist Kip Winger, guitarist Reb Beach, drummer Rod Morgenstein, guitarist/keyboardist Paul Taylor, and another guitarist John Roth, who’s been in the band for the last almost 30 years).I love Winger. Period.I’m soooooo glad I finally got to see them.Mariah and I had a great time.Winger Band Members:
- Kip Winger (Vocals/Bass)
- Reb Beach (Guitar)
- Paul Taylor (Guitar/Keyboards)
- Rod Morgenstein (Drums)
- John Roth (Guitar)
Autograph Band Members:
- Randy Rand (Bass)
- Simon Daniels (Vocals/Guitar)
- Jimi Bell (Guitar)
- Marc Wieland (Drums)
Winger Set List:
- Midnight Driver Of A Love Machine
- Junkyard Dog
- Easy Come, Easy Go
- Hungry
- Pull Me Under
- Down Incognito
- Rainbow In The Rose
- Miles Away
- Deal With The Devil
- Rat Race
- Drum Solo
- Headed For A Heartbreak
- Can’t Get Enuff
- Madalaine
- Reb Guitar Solo
- Seventeen
Autograph Set List:
- Loud And Clear
- Dance All Night
- You Are Us, We Are You
- Bad Boy
- Souls On Fire
- Blondes In Black Cars
- Send Her To Me
- Guitar Solo
- My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend Isn’t Me
- Get Off Your Ass
- Turn Up The Radio
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First Concert Together: Mariah and I saw Michael Bolton in Concert!!
- Date of Concert: July 25, 2021
- Location of Concert: Columbus Commons in Columbus, OH
My girlfriend Mariah Startzman and I saw Michael Bolton in concert last night.This was his first show since COVID.He and his band performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.He actually said at one point that he wished he could go out into the crowd and let the crowd get on stage and perform because it had been so long since concerts were allowed due to COVID.He did many of his hit solo songs and cover tunes.He’s still a powerhouse vocalist.He’s actually a great guitarist too.Believe it or not, he used to be more of a rock singer.He was once the singer of the band Blackjack with future KISS guitarist Bruce KulickThey made two awesome albums and my girlfriend and I will forever say that those two albums are masterpieces.And he made a few other more rocking albums before he became the superstar that he is today.Anyway, Michael Bolton is a phenomenal singer/songwriter/musician.We had a great time.I’m so glad Mariah and I were able to see him together.Michael Bolton Set List:
- Stand By Me
- To Love Somebody
- (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay
- Said I Loved You…But I Lied
- You Don’t Know Me
- That’s Life
- How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
- The Prayer
- Sweet Home Chicago
- Lean On Me
- When I’m Back On My Feet Again
- When A Man Loves A Woman
- How Can We Be Lovers
- Steel Bars
- Time, Love And Tenderness
- Georgia (On My Mind)
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My First Concert Since Before the Global Shutdown: The Dead Daisies
- Date of Concert: July 10, 2021
- Location of Concert: The Bluenote Harrison in Harrison, OH
I FINALLY went to another concert.I’ve only been waiting every day since March of 2020!!!!!!It was great to finally be at a concert again.Back where I belong.I saw The Dead Daisies in Harrison, Ohio at The Blue Note Harrison.I’ve seen them twice before but this one was different because it was a headline show (I saw them open for KISS two other times), and this time one of my favorite singers/bassists ever Glenn Hughes is now in the band.They put out a great album called Holy Ground, which the set mostly consisted of, and also some other Dead Daisies songs, a Creedence Clearwater Revival song that the band covered a few years ago, and two Deep Purple songs from Glenn’s era of the band (both he and David Coverdale were the singers in Deep Purple at the same time during the 70s for 3 great albums and tours).This was exactly what I needed.I got fully vaccinated in April but this was REALLY the shot in the arm I needed.Music is everything to me. It’s my passion and live music is something I crave.I have many more concerts booked this year, but this was the perfect relaunch of my concert life.Thank you Glenn Hughes, guitarist Doug Aldrich (thanks for the guitar pick!!), guitarist David Lowy, and drummer Tommy Clufetos for this awesome rock show.More concerts and reviews to come!!As Paul Newman said in The Color Of Money, “Hey, I’m back!!”The Dead Daisies Band Members:
- Glenn Hughes (Vocals/Bass)
- Doug Aldrich (Guitar)
- David Lowy (Guitar)
- Tommy Clufetos (Drums)
The Dead Daisies Set List:
- Unspoken
- Rise Up
- Dead And Gone
- Chosen And Justified
- Mexico
- Bustle And Flow
- Lock ‘N’ Load
- Fortunate Son
- Mistreated
- Righteous Days
- My Fate
- Leave Me Alone
- A Song & A Prayer
- Like No Other
- Holy Ground
- Long Way To Go
- Burn
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Keep On Rocking!!: Y&T Concert Review
- Date of Concert: February 27, 2020
- Location of Concert: Ludlow's Garage in Cincinnati, OH
My first concert of 2020 was a first time for me.I FINALLY saw the rock band Y&T (formerly called Yesterday And Today in the 70s).I was supposed to see them two years ago but sadly I couldn’t make it at the last minute.I made up for it this time.Y&T played a very small room underneath a restaurant called Ludlow’s Garage in Cincinnati, Ohio.Band leader/lead singer/lead guitarist Dave Meniketti (the last surviving original member) was in SUPER fine form, as was the band, made up of co guitarist John Nymann, drummer Mike Vanderhule, and bassist Aaron Leigh.What an amazing rock concert.They played at about 2 hours and 10 minutes or 2 hours and 15 minutes.Great sounding room. It was near capacity.Dave said Y&T had not been to Cincinnati in about 30 years.He jokingly said don’t blame him.Hopefully it won’t be another 30.This band, outside of their diehard fan base, is mostly known for the song Summertime Girls, but trust me, there is more to them than that song.Look at their setlist, listed below, and pick any of those songs to listen to.They have many albums.Check them out.This is a talented band, and Dave Meniketti is a phenomenal singer/guitarist.I put him up against anyone.P.S. a lady named Lizza who was in the audience happened to be someone who was a prominent character in two of Y&T’s videos in the 80s (Mean Streak and Don’t Stop Running).She lives in Cincinnati now and visited the band before the show and was there for the whole show.Dave gave her a shout out and I happened to see her in a row near me.Pretty cool.And, they have a 2 disc DVD documentary called On With The Show.No it’s not streaming, but it’s available on their website yandtrocks and at their shows.Even if you’re not a fan, it’s fun to watch.Y&T Band Members:
- Dave Meniketti (Vocals/Guitar)
- John Nymann (Guitar)
- Aaron Leigh (Bass)
- Mike Vanderhule (Drums)
Y&T Set List:
- Hurricane
- Hard Times
- Lucy
- Lipstick And Leather
- Don’t Stop Running
- How Long
- Mean Streak
- Midnight In Tokyo
- Dirty Girl
- Earthshaker
- I Want Your Money
- Winds Of Change
- Blind Patriot
- Summertime Girls
- Contagious
- Black Tiger
- Rescue Me
- Forever
- Encore: I Believe In You
- I’m Coming Home
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Last Slayer Show I See? Slayer/Primus/Ministry/Philip H. Anselmo And The Illegals Concert Review
- Date of Concert: November 11, 2019
- Location of Concert: KFC Yum Center in Louisville, KY
I saw another fun concert.Most of the bands I had not seen before.And the headliner I saw for the 7th and final time because in 3 weeks, they are done. Apparently.First up was Philip H. Anselmo And The Illegals.Phil is most famous for being the singer of Pantera.Lately, he and his band have been doing nothing but Pantera songs, which for me, is phenomenal.Because sadly, I never saw Pantera and sadly never will. That is my biggest concert regret.But having said that, hearing Phil singing those songs made me feel good, and took me back to the time when Pantera were one of the most important bands in my life.And his band does a good job playing them.He was in great spirits and dedicated the set to all the veterans.Next up was Ministry. Very loud, heavy, but also electronic band.Main man Al Jourgenson has been doing this a long time and it was great to finally see him and his band.After that was Primus. Musically, they really stick out like a soar thumb on this tour. But, the crowd loved them and they were fantastic.Lead singer/bassist Les Claypool is one of the best bassists in history.The entire band are phenomenal.But again, musically, extremely different than say the headliner.And speaking of the headliner, for the 7th and final time, I saw one of my favorites Slayer!!!They’ve always been great live and this time was no different.I love that they have never compromised, unapologetic on the music they’ve made, and have always been great.They hung around longer than I’ve seen them do at the end, so I think that’s their way of saying goodbye.Tom Araya, singer/bassist of Slayer, ended by saying “Thanks for hanging out. Thanks for coming. Thank you for being an important part of my life. Goodnight. Adios”.Throughout it felt like another regular Slayer show, but seeing that brought some finality to the situation.If they are done in 3 weeks, they’ve had a great career.If they change their mind like everyone else does, then that’s fine too.Slayer!!!!!Slayer Set List:
- Intro (Delusions Of Savior)
- Repentless
- Mandatory Suicide
- World Painted Blood
- Postmortem
- Hate Worldwide
- War Ensemble
- Stain Of Mind
- Disciple
- When The Stillness Comes
- Born Of Fire
- Payback
- Seasons In The Abyss
- Jesus Saves
- Chemical Warfare
- Hell Awaits
- South Of Heaven
- Show No Mercy
- Raining Blood
- Dead Skin Mask
- Angel Of Death
Primus Set List:
- Intro (Clown Dream)
- Those Damned Blue Collar Tweekers
- Too Many Puppies
- Sgt. Baker (with Too Many Puppies Reprise)
- Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver
- The Seven
- Cygnus X-1 (Rush cover)
- Mr. Knowitall
- Mr. Krinkle
- Welcome To This World
- Professor Nutbutter’s House Of Treats
- My Name Is Mud
- Jerry Was A Race Car Driver
Ministry Set List:
- The Missing
- Deity
- Stigmata
- Supernaut (Black Sabbath cover)
- Just One Fix
- N.W.O.
- Thieves
- Jesus Built My Hotrod
Philip H. Anselmo And The Illegals Set List:
- A New Level
- Becoming
- Yesterday Don’t Mean Shit
- Strength Beyond Strength/Goddamn Electric (part of it)
- This Love
- Fucking Hostile
- Walk
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I Saw Wolverine In Person: Hugh Jackman Show Review
- Date of Event: October 10, 2019
- Location of Event: Schottenstein Center in Columbus, OH
What can I say?I saw a super person in concert.His name is Hugh Jackman.Not only is he a famous movie star. He’s also a talented singer, dancer, storyteller, and just an all around great person.I saw him perform at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio.He told a lot of stories about his upbringing, his influences (he spent a whole section of the show paying tribute/acting like fellow Australian singer Peter Allen), got the audience involved (he brought an audience member on stage and interacted with him in a funny way and continuously mentioned the person on and off for the rest of the show), gave drum sticks to little kids, hugged people, sang, danced, tap danced, acted, told jokes, and in a word entertained.It was a very fun show.The act is very good. Great production and sound/visuals. Cool song selections (songs from various movies of his and classic musicals/broadway show tunes).He even had a AC/DC and Van Halen sample going on at one point.I learned something too: the word Leon means “spirit”. He said Columbus really brought the Leon out.He truly is a showman, to say the least.I wish I and really the world for that matter could be as kind and as positive as he is.This was a very fun event and I’m glad I went.Two more events and that will probably be it for me in 2019.Hopefully some cool events await me next year.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Finally Saw Willie Nelson: Outlaw Music Festival Concert Review
- Date of Concert: September 22, 2019
- Location of Concert; Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
Disclaimer: I HATE country music.I always have and I always will.Having said that, I wanted to finally see Willie Nelson.So I did.I went to his Outlaw Music Festival in Cincinnati.There were five bands and I went for two of them: Willie and Bonnie Raitt.The first act, Derek Allan Band, was meh to me.The second act, Jamestown Revival, was actually good. I can’t say I’ll ever buy any of their music, but they were good.Bonnie Raitt was great!! She still sings and plays well, and her band is fantastic. I’m glad I saw her.The next act, Luke Combs, I could care less about.He’s considered hot stuff by a lot of people and that’s good for them, but I hated having to sit through his set.It was terrible to my ears. And you know what’s sad? He probably had the best reaction of the night.Not that Willie didn’t have a great reaction, but I swear many people were leaving during his set.Seeing Willie Nelson was good. He is still great at what he does, and his band, which is his family, are fantastic. Especially his sister, Bobbie, who plays piano.This concert was a mixed bag for me but I’m glad I saw Willie and Bonnie. They were great.I hope they keep going for a long time to come.Again, I HATE Country music and I always will. But I respect Willie and Bonnie and am glad I saw them.Willie Nelson Set List:
- Whiskey River/Still Is Still Movin’/Beer For My Horses
- Down Yonder
- If You Got The Money
- Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
- Georgia On My Mind
- La La La Song
- My Favorite Picture
- Hard To Be Humble
- It’s All Going To Pot
- Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die
- Good Hearted Woman
- Nuages
- On The Road Again
- Always On My Mind
- Jambalaya/Hey Good Lookin’/Move It On Over
- Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away/I Saw The Light
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