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3 Classics: Deep Purple/Alice Cooper/Edgar Winter Concert Review
- Date of Concert: September 10, 2017
- Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
Another classic rock show in the Lucas book.I saw Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, and Edgar Winter on the final night of their triple bill summer tour.Edgar Winter started the proceedings with a solid dose of classic rock.He and his band were having a lot of fun, which I love to see.He not only sang, but played the keytar, saxophone, and some of his drummer’s drum kit.A very fun set.Then Alice Cooper came on and delivered another basically perfect show.I’ve seen him 6 times now and I swear he never has a bad night.He played a lot of hits, plus one song from his great new album Paranormal.At the end of his set, Edgar Winter and Deep Purple guitarist Steve Morse got onstage and jammed with Alice and his great band.Again, very fun.Then Deep Purple came on.It had been 16 years since I saw them.They’re still great.They played a lot of the classics, plus one song from their great new album Infinite and a song from their previous album, the great Now What?!Singer Ian Gillan, guitarist Steve Morse, bassist Roger Glover, drummer Ian Paice, and keyboardist Don Airey are all virtuosos at what they do.And after all these years, they’re still having fun, which is what it’s all about.A very fun show all around, andI’m glad I went.More shows to come.Stay tuned.Deep Purple Set List:
- Highway Star
- Fireball
- Strange Kind Of Woman
- Uncommon Man (dedicated to their original keyboardist Jon Lord)
- Lazy
- Knocking At Your Back Door
- Pictures Of Home
- Perfect Strangers
- Don Airey Keyboard Solo (he played some of the main theme to Star Wars!)
- Time For Bedlam (New Song)
- Space Truckin’
- Hush
- Smoke On The Water (with Edgar Winter guitarist Michael Rappaport on second guitar)
Alice Cooper Set List:
- Brutal Planet
- No More Mr. Nice Guy
- Under My Wheels
- Billion Dollar Babies
- Paranoic Personality (New Song)
- Woman Of Mass Destruction
- Nita Strauss Guitar Solo
- Poison
- Halo Of Flies
- Feed My Frankenstein
- Cold Ethyl
- Only Women Bleed
- Killer (partial)
- I Love The Dead
- I’m Eighteen
- Schools Out (w/Edgar Winter and Steve Morse joining in)
Edgar Winter Set List:
- Free Ride
- Jumpin’ Jack Flash (The Rolling Stones cover)
- Tobacco Road
- Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo
- Frankenstein
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I Met a Juke Box Hero: Foreigner/Cheap Trick/Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 8, 2017
- Location of Concert: Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, OH
I saw Foreigner, Cheap Trick, and Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience all in one night!I saw them at the Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati Tuesday, August 8th.The show started off with Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience.It’s a tribute band featuring the son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jason Bonham.Even though he is John’s son, I just consider him a great drummer, and he has played with Zeppelin (Even at his own wedding!)He plays nothing but Zeppelin hits and album cuts.The band is solid, especially singer James Dylan, who does a great job singing Robert Plant’s parts.I missed some of their set because I had a pressing engagement (more on that later in this writing), but I saw most of the set, and it was great.Jason is a beast on drums.Cheap Trick came on shortly afterwards and were fun.Robin Zander is still a great singer, Rick Nielsen rocks on guitar, Tom Petersson rocks on bass, and Dax Nielsen rocks on the drums.Then Foreigner closed the set.Led by the founder and only original member, Mick Jones, Foreigner played several of their classic hits and a few album cuts.Singer Kelly Hansen does a great job, as does the whole band.Now to that pressing engagement.I met Mick Jones backstage during Jason Bonham’s set.He was very nice and gracious to me, even as I was fanboying on him.I had a few minutes with him, so I was able to tell him how much I loved his music and the band.He even liked my Paul McCartney shirt.When I told him I saw Sir Paul two years ago, he said he saw him, too.And Mick also signed his new book, A Foreigner’s Tale, for me.It’s a quick read, but very good.Mick has been around and has done a lot of great things.I definitely consider him a legend.But most importantly, I consider him to be a nice person.Well, that’s my last concert for a month.Then, more to come.Rock on!Foreigner 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 (Mick sings)
- Juke Box Hero
- Encore: I Want To Know What Love Is
- Hot Blooded
Cheap Trick Set List:
- Hello There
- Long Time Coming
- Day Tripper (The Beatles cover)
- Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles cover)
- Blackberry Way (The Move cover)
- She Said She Said (The Beatles cover)
- Getting Better (The Beatles cover)
- I’m Waiting For The Man
- The Flame
- I Want You To Want Me
- Dream Police
- Never Had A Lot To Lose
- Surrender
- Goodnight
Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Experience Set List:
- Black Dog
- Rock And Roll
- Over The Hills And Far Away
- The Wanton Song
- Nobody’s Fault But Mine
- Ramble On
- Immigrant Song
- Kashmir
- Whole Lotta Love
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Intimate but Great: My Graham Nash Concert Review
- Date of Concert: August 1, 2017
- Location of Concert: Lexington Opera House in Lexington, KY
I saw another legend in concert.Graham Nash, as in the Nash in Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and Young), and before that, The Hollies.I saw him at the Lexington Opera House in Lexington, Kentucky.Very intimate show, with a lot of great songs and stories.It was just Graham on vocals, guitar, keyboards, and harmonica, and another guitarist who sang harmony with Graham.He played one Hollies song, several CSN(Y) songs, solo songs, and two Beatles songs.The crowd loved all of it, as did I.Most things in life I find boring or miserable, but concerts genuinely make me happy.This concert made me happy.If my life could be one big concert, I would be in paradise.I have four more concerts to go this year, and then, it’s off to next year.I still need to see so many more, including the rest of CSNY.Make it happen.Woo!!!!Set Lists:
Set 1:
- Bus Stop (The Hollies song)
- Wasted On The Way (Crosby, Stills, and Nash song)
- I Used To Be A King
- Immigration Man (Crosby & Nash song)
- In Your Name
- Myself At Last
- Marrakesh Express (CSN song)
- Military Madness
- Wind On The Water (Crosby & Nash song)
- A Day In The Life (The Beatles cover)
Set 2:
- Just A Song Before I Go (CSN song)
- Taken At All (Crosby & Nash song)
- Lady of the Island (CSN song)
- Golden Days
- Back Home
- Cathedral (CSN song)
- Our House (CSNY song)
- Encore: Chicago
- Encore 2: Blackbird (The Beatles cover)
- Teach Your Children (CSN song)
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An Amazing Kind of Magic: Queen + Adam Lambert Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 21, 2017
- Location of Concert: Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH
On Friday night of July 21, I saw what is definitely one of my favorite concerst ever.Queen + Adam LambertWow, I have seen many concerts, but this one was on so many other levels.For the first time ever, I bowed to a band at a concert.They are just phenomenal!Adam Lambert sings the Queen songs very well.Dr. Brian May is still a phenomenal guitarist.Roger Taylor can still beat the drums so well.The rest of their band is quite solid also.I was soooo close to these guys.I felt like I needed to cry because it was so special. My cousin Zachary did cry.They played several hits, but also deep album cuts.I don’t think anyone left the arena unhappy.If they did, then they were at the wrong show.I can honestly say that aside from The Stones, this show may never be topped for me.I have more shows to see, and can’t wait for all of them, but if none top this one, then I’m okay with that.But I’m not done yet.Stay tuned.Love and PeaceSet List:
- We Will Rock You (Teaser)
- Hammer To Fall
- Stone Cold Crazy
- Another One Bites The Dust
- Fat Bottomed Girls
- Killer Queen
- Two Fux (Adam solo song performed by he and the band)
- Don’t Stop Me Now
- Bicycle Race (Teaser)
- I’m In Love With My Car (Roger Taylor sings)
- Get Down Make Love
- I Want It All
- Love Of My Life (Dr. Brian May sang it and played acoustically. Freddie Mercury (RIP) showed up on the screen.)
- Somebody To Love
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love
- Drum Battle (Roger Taylor and percussionist Tyler Warren)
- Under Pressure (Both Roger and Adam sang it.)
- I Want To Break Free
- Who Wants To Live Forever
- Guitar Solo
- Freddie vocalizing on the screen
- Radio Ga Ga
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Encore: We Will Rock You
- We Are The Champions
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Thrash and Death Metal: Slayer/Lamb Of God/Behemoth Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 18, 2017
- Location of Concert: Express Live in Columbus, OH
Slayer, with openers Lamb Of God and Behemoth, at Express Live in Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday, July 18th.This was my 6th time seeing Slayer, 2nd seeing Lamb Of God, and first seeing Behemoth.I’m not extremely familiar with Behemoth, other than they’re extremely heavy.They put on a good show and sounded really good.I may look into some of their albums.I really like Lamb Of God, both as musicians and as people.They’re from Richmond, Virginia, as their singer Randy Blythe always loves to say.They have been around since the 90s, and have been through a lot to say the least, but have overcome it all, and really are a very popular band in the Metal genre.And deservedly so.I will always respect them.Again, both as musicians, but more so, as people.Slayer are always great.They have never had a bad show, in my opinion.Still as loud and as heavy as ever.Their newest album Repentless, which came out in 2014, is one of my many favorite Slayer albums.They’re the heavy version of AC/DC, in terms of you know exactly what you’re going to get with them.And I would not want it any other way with them.I’ve always thought that Metallica were my favorite of the “Big 4” thrash metal bands (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax).I love all four, but I may love Slayer more because I’ve seen them more (Again six times. I’ve seen Metallica once, and Megadeth and Anthrax three times each).And again, Slayer have pretty much stayed the same, musically.I don’t mind musical change, and the other three bands have over the years and I’m fine with that.However, I would never want Slayer to change.They have never compromised and are just as heavy or more so now than when they started in the early 80s.Their lyrics are very explicit and controversial, but again, I would not want it any other way.That’s Slayer.They’re great people, but just write about controversial subjects.So in short, I had fun at another concert.My next one is Friday, July 21, when I see Queen + Adam Lambert.Rock on!Slayer Set List:
- Repentless
- The Antischrist
- Disciple
- Postmortem
- Hate Worldwide
- War Ensemble
- Mandatory Suicide
- You Against You
- Hallowed Point
- When The Stillness Comes
- Dead Skin Mask
- Cast The First Stone
- Born Of Fire
- Captor Of Sin
- Bloodline
- Seasons In The Abyss
- Hell Awaits
- Encore: South Of Heaven
- Raining Blood
- Chemical Warfare
- Angel Of Death
Lamb Of God Set List:
- Laid To Rest
- Now You’ve Got Something To Die For
- 512
- Engage The Fear Machine
- Descending
- Ruin
- Blacken The Cursed Sun
- Still Echoes
- Walk With Me In Hell
- Redneck
Behemoth Set List:
- Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer
- Conquer All
- Messe Noir
- Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
- Decade of Therion
- Ov Fire and the Void
- Chant for Eschaton 2000
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The Joshua Tree Live: U2 Concert Review
- Date of Concert: July 1, 2017
- Location of Concert: FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, OH
- Opener: One Republic
I went to another fantastic concert Saturday night.I and my brother Christopher saw U2 for the first time at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.One Republic opened.They were solid, but we were there to see U2.They came out on a B stage and played some of their earlier hits, and then, went back to the big stage to play all of their classic album The Joshua Tree, which is now 30 years old.And they still were not done.They played a long encore, which was amazing, as well.Bono is an amazing singer and showman.The Edge is an amazing guitarist.Adam Clayton is an amazing bassist.Larry Mullen Jr. is an amazing drummer.So, in a word, U2 are AMAZING.We both had a great time, as did the band and the sold out crowd.We were on the field, general admission.It was cheaper and better than the seats.We were able to get pretty close.One lucky woman got up on stage and danced during their song Mysterious Ways.Bono encouraged her to dance to the camera, in which some of her dancing was recorded and was freeze framed onto the big screen.Pretty cool stuff.And speaking of the big screen, the visuals were incredible.I can’t say enough about this show and this band.I had wanted to see this band for almost 20 years, but for various reasons, it just never happened.Well it finally did, and I’m grateful that I saw them when I did.So, that’s another classic band I can mark off my concert list.The list is getting shorter.I’m hoping to have it complete by next year.But until then, onwards.Love and Peace.Set List:
- Sunday Bloody Sunday
- New Year’s Day
- Bad
- Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- The Joshua Tree Album: Where The Streets Have No Name
- I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
- With Or Without You
- Bullet The Blue Sky
- Running To Stand Still
- Red Hill Mining Town
- In God’s Country
- Trip Through Your Wires
- One Tree Hill
- Exit
- Mothers Of The Disappeared
- Encore: Miss Sarajevo (Passengers cover)
- Beautiful Day
- Elevation
- Vertigo
- Mysterious Ways
- Happy Birthday
- Ultraviolet (Light My Way)
- One
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Continuing the Long Strange Trip: Dead And Company Concert Review
- Date of Concert: June 28, 2017
- Location of Concert: Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH
I saw Dead and Company Wednesday night of June 28th at the Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.This band includes Grateful Dead singer/guitarist Bob Weir, Grateful Dead drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, singer/guitarist John Mayer, bassist Oteil Burbridge, and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.They play a lot of Grateful Dead songs.John sings/plays the parts sung and played by Grateful Dead member Jerry Garcia (RIP), and does a fine job.The whole band sounds very good and gives their HUGE audience of Deadheads what they want.Even though I’m glad I saw them, I don’t intend to return to that venue again.Even though it is nice, it takes too long to get out.My opinion. As all of this is.My next concert is Saturday, July 1, when I will FINALLY see U2.Love and Peace.Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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Classic Songs and Musicianship: Journey/ASIA Concert Review
- Date of Concert: June 27, 2017
- Location of Concert: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV
I saw another classic rock show last night.I saw Journey and ASIA in Huntington, WV.This was another sold out show at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena, or the Huntington Civic Center, as I still call it.ASIA played a solid 45 minute set, playing their hits, such as Sole Survivor and Heat Of The Moment, and even fit in a drum and keyboard solo.They are all very good musicians.Although I think they were solid, once Journey came on, I almost forgot about ASIA.Journey just completely rocked the place.Their drummer, Steve Smith, was/is worth the price of admission alone.I’m not extremely wild about drum solos anymore, but I could watch him forever.All of them are such great musicians, and seem to be having fun, which I always love seeing.Guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain both follow me on Twitter!Neal likes almost every tweet I send him.Jonathan even replied to me after I sent him some pics I took of the show.They played several of their hits, but also played solos and jammed a little, which was great.Neal Schon is definitely one of the best guitarists ever. Smiling a lot, but also, playing his heart out.Ross Valory is a solid bassist.Jonathan Cain is a great keyboardist and singer as well. He also plays rhythm guitar.And then there is singer Arnel Pineda.He sounds very much like former Journey singer Steve Perry, which is quite uncanny.No, he is not lip syncing.He especially has a great time onstage.If you’re a fan of Journey, there is nothing about this show you would not like.So, in short, another great concert.My next one is tonight, when I see most of The Grateful Dead members under their banner Dead and Company, with John Mayer doing Jerry Garcia’s parts.Have a great day everyone.Journey Band Members:
- Arnel Pineda (Lead Vocals)
- Neal Schon (Lead Guitar)
- Ross Valory (Bass/Backing Vocals)
- Jonathan Cain (Keyboards/Rhythm Guitar/Backing Vocals)
- Steve Smith (Drums)
ASIA Band Members:
- Billy Sherwood (Lead Vocals/Bass)
- Carl Palmer (Drums/Percussion)
- Geoff Downes (Keyboards)
- Sam Coulson (Guitar)
Journey Set List:
- Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
- Be Good To Yourself
- Only The Young
- Neal Guitar Solo
- Stone In Love
- Anyway You Want It
- Neal Guitar Jam
- Lights
- Jonathan Keyboard Solo
- Open Arms
- Who’s Crying Now
- Escape
- La Do Da
- Steve Drum Solo
- Neal Guitar Solo 2
- Wheel In The Sky
- Faithfully
- Don’t Stop Believin’
- Encore: Dead or Alive
- Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’
ASIA Set List:
- Wildest Dreams
- Sole Survivor
- Time Again
- Don’t Cry
- Drum Solo
- Keyboard Solo
- The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
- Only Time Will Tell
- Heat Of The Moment
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A Refugee and an Eagle: Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers/Joe Walsh Concert Review
- Date of Concert: June 12, 2017
- Location of Concert: U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH
I saw Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers and Joe Walsh at US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 12, 2017.Two more I can mark off my list.Both were fun.Both Joe and Tom were quite appreciative of the crowd.Both their bands are very good, especially Tom’s.I’m glad I finally saw both.Next show is June 27, when I see Journey and Asia.Stay tuned.Lucas HannonP.S. Below are some pics I took, as well as the setlists.However, before I show you those, I also want to say that I found out before I went to this show that one of my favorite people in the world passed away.Mr. Norman J. Beebe.For those that knew him, they know what I know, and that is that he was a Saint.He always had time for people, would always listen, was very smart, had great stories, and was a mentor to many. Including myself.I still have a lot to learn and a lot to do in this life, but if I could just be even a tenth as great of a person as he was, then that would be a great thing.Rest In Peace Norm!You earned it.My condolences to all of his family, friends, and everyone that loved him.Love ya Norm!Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Set List:
- Rockin’ Around With You
- Mary Jane’s Last Dance
- You Don’t Know How It Feels
- Forgotten Man
- You Got Lucky
- I Won’t Back Down
- Free Fallin’
- Walls
- Don’t Come Around Here No More
- It’s Good To Be King
- Crawling Back To You
- Wildflowers
- Learning To Fly
- Yer So Bad
- I Should Have Known It
- Refugee
- Runnin’ Down A Dream
- Encore: You Wreck Me
- American Girl
Joe Walsh Set List:
- Meadows
- Ordinary Average Guy
- Mother Says
- The Bomber: Closet Queen/Bolero/Cast Your Fate To The Wind
- Take It To The Limit (Dedicated to Glenn Frey)
- Turn To Stone
- In The City
- Funk #49
- Life’s Been Good
- Rocky Mountain Way
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Red Rocker: Sammy Hagar & The Circle Concert Review
- Date of Concert: June 5, 2017
- Location of Concert: The Rose Music Center at The Heights in Huber Heights, OH
- Opener: Aaron Hagar
Sammy Hagar’s band, The Circle, rocked a sold out crowd in Huber Heights, Ohio, Monday of June 5th.Sammy’s band includes his solo band guitarist of 20 years Vic Johnson, Van Halen bassist/backing vocalist/occasional lead vocalist and Sammy’s musical partner in crime Michael Anthony, and drummer extraordinaire Jason Bonham, who has played with his Dad’s band, Led Zeppelin!!!!!They played a great selection of Sammy’s stuff from throughout his career, from Montrose, solo, VH, and Chickenfoot, as well as some Zeppelin classics.Throughout the set, people were throwing stuff on stage for Sammy to sign, and he signed almost all of it. Very cool! He was even signing stuff just to hand out to fans. Again, very cool!This is a great band that I hope someday will make new music.If not, I’m still glad I got to see them as a unit.I had only not seen Michael before.All in all, a fun night of great music.Oh and Sammy’s son Aaron opened the show with a brief acoustic set.Next show for me: Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers/Joe Walsh on Monday, June 12, in Cincinnati.Love and Peace.Set List:
- There’s Only One Way To Rock
- Poundcake
- Good Times, Bad Times
- Rock Candy
- I Can’t Drive 55
- Big Foot
- Right Now
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Little White Lie
- When The Levee Breaks
- Top Of The World
- Heavy Metal
- Mas Tequila
- Encore: Dreams (Sammy and Vic only)
- Rock And Roll
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