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Wow What a Show!! Tom Keifer Band and John Corabi Concert Review
- Date of Concert: Saturday July 20 2024
- Location of Concert: Paramount Arts Center in Ashland, KY
Holy cow!!
That was quite the concert.
My good friend Brandon Lange and I went to see the Tom Keifer Band with opener John Corabi.
I had seen Corabi play guitar for RATT in 2007 and sing for The Dead Daisies in 2016 (met him then too) but I had not seen him do his acoustic show.
I’ve been a fan of his since 1999.
He has such a great voice and is a great songwriter and very good guitar player too.
For his acoustic set, it his just him singing and playing an acoustic guitar.
He sings songs from throughout his career (The Scream, Motley Crue, Union, The Dead Daisies, and covers).
He tells stories (I finally bought his book Horseshoes And Hand Grenades at the show) and has a great sense of humor.
And like I said, what a voice and very good guitar player!!
Even acoustic, he was quite loud, which is great.
I loved it!!
I also bought a live album he did singing all of the songs he did on the Motley Crue self titled album from 1994 (including one song from their Quaternary EP).
Thank you sir!!! And I can’t wait for the next album by The Dead Daisies.
Next up was the Tom Keifer Band.
This was the second time I had seen them (other review here) and like before, they did NOT disappoint.
Tom and his band rock!!!! Lots of songs from his band Cinderella, some solo songs, and even a cover song.
Tom had a lot of vocal issues many years ago, but you would never know it now because he is as great as he ever was.
He’s been a favorite of mine for many years too and I’m glad he’s still rocking!!
I hate my life most of the time and I’m super scared of the future, but on this night, I forgot about all of that and had a great time.
Thank you Brandon for the ticket and for inviting me. I appreciate you sir!!
And thank you John Corabi and the Tom Keifer Band for rocking my world. I love you all.
Rock on!!!
John Corabi Set List:
- Love (I Don’t Need It Anymore)-Union Song
- If I Never Get To Say Goodbye-Solo Song
- Father, Mother, Son-The Scream song
- Dead And Gone-The Dead Daisies Song
- Daydream Believer-The Monkees Cover Song
- Hooligan’s Holiday-Motley Crue Song
- Man In The Moon-The Scream Song
Tom Keifer Band Set List
- Life Was Here
- Hot & Bothered
- Heartbreak Station
- The Death Of Me
- Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin’ Apart At The Seams
- Coming Home
- Nobody’s Fool
- Solid Ground
- Night Songs
- Somebody Save Me
- The Last Mile
- Shake Me
- Shelter Me
- Don’t Know What You Got Til’ It’s Gone
- With A Little Help From My Friends (Joe Cocker Cover version)
- Gypsy Road
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Do I Look Like Ron Jeremy To You?! I Hope Not!!
I was made fun of and bullied throughout school and I thought I got past that.
Well, a few years ago, this strange thing started happening.
I once posted a picture of me standing next to The Incredible Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno, at a convention, on a post he had on Facebook.
Now I post pictures of myself with celebrities I’ve met and pictures of concerts I’ve gone to because I like to share them with people.
Well, this one time, two people were conversing back and forth with each other saying I looked like Ron Jeremy.
Now, 20 years ago, I may have taken that as a compliment.
I don’t anymore because this former porn star is spending life in prison on rape charges.
That is not funny.
Even though I was offended, I just took it as two jerks on Facebook ridiculing me and left it at that.
Well, a few years later, I go to another convention and one of the celebrities I meet is Kane Hodder.
Kane is most known as playing Jason Voorhees in four Friday The 13th movies and has done a lot of other work.
I’ve become more of a horror movie fan in recent years and became a fan of Kane during this time.
I got my picture taken with him, which was great.
I went to a Q&A that he was involved in and was lucky enough to ask him a question about one of the movies I really like that he did, which was Jason X.
He told me about the making of it and I liked his answer a lot.
I ended it by saying that I thought he was great.
He said thank you and then in front of this fairly sized audience said in reference to me and I quote “Ron Jeremy ladies and gentlemen”. The crowd started to laugh but then went “Oooooooohhhhhhh”.
I was taken aback but did not say anything and once the Q&A was over, I honestly did not even give it a second thought, even though initially I was shocked, and just let it go. And Kane has a smart ass sense of humor so I took it as that at the time.
Well, some time later, I went to a gas station to get gas like I have so many times. I went inside to pay for the gas and right after I did and was leaving to go pump the gas into my car, this gas station cashier said and I quote “have a nice evening Mr. Jeremy” and snickered. Again, I did not say anything but I wanted to.
I was hoping that was the end of this ridiculous comparison.
Well, yesterday, July 16 of 2024, I posted a picture of me and former Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Artimus Pyle at a show he and his great band, The Artimus Pyle Band, did the previous week, on Lynyrd Skynyrd fan group on Facebook.
I was just wanting to show this picture to share it with fellow fans, and what do I get? Someone said and I quote “is that Artie with Ron Jeremy? Lol”.
Where does this come from? I know I’m overweight. I know I have messy hair and am losing it day by day. I know I have a mustache which apparently to some is not acceptable in society anymore.
But does that make me look like this guy spending life in prison on rape charges?
If you want to compare me to someone, compare me to someone who has done positive things or better yet, don’t compare me to anyone.
I know I need to lose weight and hopefully I someday will be skinny again. But if I’m not, skinny again, then I just won’t be.
Someday I’ll get a hair cut again. Maybe I’ll even be completely bald someday.
I occasionally shave off my mustache, but I do love my mustache too. Is that a crime?
So my question is: do you honestly think I look like former porn star Ron Jeremy?
If you think yes, then please unfollow me on all social media platforms I’m on and if you have my number, please lose it.
I can’t believe I’m actually typing this nonsense, but I felt I had to because it is something that really bothers me and I don’t like it.
I’m almost 42. This is not school anymore. And I’m way too old for this crap.
This is what I get when I try to do something fun and positive. I get insulted. So much for showing something fun and positive.
Don’t worry about me. I’m just insulted that I’m still being bullied/insulted like I was when I was in middle school or high school. One of many reasons why I hated school and always will.
OK rant over.
Please comment because I want to know what you think.
I’m not posting any pictures on here, so if you need to see what I look like, then look on my socials and other posts on this website.
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Holy Cow!! What A Great Time I Had at Fanboy Expo 2024 in Knoxville, Tennesee
I went to Fanboy Expo for the first time on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, TN.
I had tried to go there a few times, but ultimately things kept happening which prevented me from doing so.
I was somewhat hesitant to go this year because the person I wanted to see the most canceled (They’ve tried to get this person, Dolph Lundgren, at least 3 times, but I get it because he’s busy. Hopefully someday.) and because of the travel (4 hour drive there and 4 hour drive back).
But I went and boy am I glad I did!!
I got to meet a lot of my favorites and saw even more of them.
I got to meet actors Danny Glover (the Lethal Weapon franchise, Predator 2, Silverado, Lonesome Dove, Angels In The Outfield, Witness, The Color Purple, Grand Canyon, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Prince Of Egypt, Saw and Saw III, Badasses and tons more), Danny Trejo (Machete and Machete Kills, From Dusk Til Dawn 1, 2, and 3, Heat, Death Wish 4, Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects, Conair, Desperado, Spy Kids 1, 2, and 3, Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Rob Zombie’s Halloween II, Bad Ass, Bad Asses, and SO MUCH MORE), Michael Rooker (Guardians Of The Galaxy 1, 2, and 3, The 6th Day, The Walking Dead, Replicant, Tombstone, Horizon Chapters 1 and 2, JFK, Cliffhanger, The Suicide Squad, and a lot more), and Dave “The Snake” Sabo and Rachel Bolan (co-guitarist and bassist and main songwriters, respectively, of the band Skid Row). I got pictures with and autographs from all of them (Rooker’s autograph I actually got for my girlfriend Mariah because she loves him so much and couldn’t go with me.)
I also met Roger Christian, who worked on Star Wars, The Return Of The Jedi, Alien, Star Wars The Phantom Menace, and many others. I could not afford a picture or autograph from him, but I had to shake his hand and thank him for his great work and that it’s so important. He appreciated me saying that and said “this is why I do it”.
The celebrities I saw but didn’t meet were Lee Majors (I’ve met him a few times but almost bumped into him today.), Jon Lovitz, Rob Schneider, Peter Cullen, Giancarlo Esposito, Paul Williams, Pam Grier, a lot of The Wonder Years TV show cast (Olivia d’Abo, Jason Hervey, Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, and Josh Saviano. Danica McKellar was there but I didn’t see her.), David Wenham, Jaleel White, Sean Gunn, Lana Parrilla, Ray Park, Gina Carano, Brendan Wayne, C. Thomas Howell, Mark Metcalf, Patricia Velasquez, Maxwell Caulfield, Christopher McDonald, Adiran Zmed, wrestlers The Big Show (Paul Wight), Kane (Glenn Jacobs), Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Hacksaw Jim Duggan (met him before, great guy), Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Macey Estrella (alson known as Lacey Evans), and Nic Nemeth (also known as Dolph Ziggler).
There were also the cast of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle 1990 movie but I didn’t see all of them, but I had seen most if not all of them at another convention. Richard Usher, part of the group Partners In Crime who did the song “Turtle Power” for the movie, was there too.
And there were others too but I did not see them.
Anyway, I first met the Skid Row guys Snake and Rachel. Very nice and cool guys. A lot has been said, especially lately, about their singer situation (They’re without a singer again, although Rachel told me they have a few possible singers in mind, but they’re taking their time with it.) but I told them I love all of their stuff (which I do) and I will support whatever they do in the future with their new singer. Whoever that is. And I meant it. They appreciated me saying that and that it meant a lot.
Yeah I would love for Sebastian Bach to be their singer again too, but it will never happen. And I like to think it’s the best of both worlds if you’re a fan.
Sebastian is making great music on his own, and so is Skid Row. I had Snake and Rachel sign their most recent album from 2022 called The Gang’s All Here. Very good album. And I have all of them. They all rock. And I can’t wait to buy their new live album/DVD Live In London soon.
Thank you Snake and Rachel for being so cool and regardless of what anyone says, I love all you guys and keep on rocking.
I then met Danny Glover. I did not know until this year that he even did these events, but he does. I’m glad too because I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. He’s one of those great actors that is great in everything he’s ever done. I especially love him in the Lethal Weapon movies and Predator 2 but really everything I’ve ever seen him in, which is a lot. I got him to sign a Predator 2 picture and told him how much I love that movie. He kept saying “alright alright!” He’s a very nice man and seems happy to meet his fans. I appreciate you sir.
I then met Danny Trejo. Wow what a cool, nice man. He told me he loves doing these events because he gets to meet all kinds of different people.
I asked him if there will ever be a third Machete movie because I LOVE his movies Machete and Machete Kills SO MUCH. He told me that Robert Rodriguez (the director/writer of the movies and one of Danny’s cousins) needs to be texted about it.
I hope it happens, but if not, I love those movies and Danny has done so many movies, TV, animation, music videos, you name it.
He even has his own brand of tacos and shops called Trejos Tacos.
He’s lived quite a life and has lived to tell it and has done very well. And on top of all that, he is a nice and caring person. Thank you sir for everything.
I then met Michael Rooker after my first photo op with Snake and Rachel of Skid Row. I’ve been a fan of Rooker’s for many years too. In more recent years, he’s become very known for his character Yondu in the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies, but he’s been in so much, including Horizon recently, which my Dad and I really enjoyed. He was wearing a Horizon hat as a matter of fact. He can appear to be animated and eccentric (He actually grabbed a fan by the arm at one point and walked him out of the autograph line because this person was taking pictures of Rooker when he shouldn’t have, but ultimately Rooker took a picture with him anyway, so it was fine.) but he’s a nice person too.
For some people in front of me, he offered one of them to pick a free picture for him to sign, and when there was a group that included several kids, he told the leader of the group that he would take a picture with all of them at the photo op later.
When I told him I couldn’t afford to get his autograph for me but I wanted to get one for my girlfriend and just a picture for me, he understood.
But when I told him that my girlfriend made a quilt of his character Yondu some years ago and showed it to him, he thought it was fantastic. He even added a heart to the autograph for her. And he wanted me to tell her thank you and that he was sorry she couldn’t be there with me. I thanked him and he said “next time”.
Then later on, after I had walked around to look at all the vendors, I got my pictures taken with Danny Glover and Danny Trejo together, and then finally one with Michael Rooker.
I wanted to show off the picture Rooker signed for my girlfriend and he asked me if I wanted to do that. And when I said yes, he offered to hold it.
All Great people and I really appreciate not only their work but for their service to us fans at these conventions.
They do NOT have to do this, and yes they get paid well for these and probably one reason why many do it now, but I still find it to be a great service.
Thank you all!!!!
And thank you Fanboy Expo for the great time.
If you keep running this event like you did today, you will be just fine. Thank you!!
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
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I Saw and Met The Last of the Street Survivors-The Artimus Pyle Band Concert Review
- Date of Concert: Thursday July 11, 2024
- Location of Concert: The Ludlow Garage in Cincinnati, OH
- Opener: Six Gun Sally
Wow what a fun night this was.
I saw The Artimus Pyle Band in Cincinnat, OH.
Artimus is the last classic member of Lynyrd Skynyrd (unless you count Rickey Medlocke) still alive and playing.
Artimus will be 76 years old on Monday July 15th, and he looks and plays like he’s so much younger.
He and his band play the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd songs with justice, pride, honor, and respect.
All the songs you want to hear from the classic Skynyrd era they play.
And on top of all of this, Artimus is by far the most down to earth, kindest famous person I have yet to meet.
As soon as I walked in, he was telling stories to the drummer of the opening band, Six Gun Sally, and I just happened to overhear some of it. He said his favorite drummer is Neil Peart of RUSH (awesome) and his favorite guitarist is Jeff Beck (also awesome).
He eventually went to the back for awhile but came back out before the crowd really started coming in.
Only a few of us were there at that point, and he just sat on the stage and told stories and chatted with us.
I showed him my copy of his band’s latest CD. It is called Anthems: Honoring The Music of Lynyrd Skynyrd. It’s really good, by the way.
He was happy to see I had it and told me about how he was able to get Skynyrd guitarist Gary Rossington (RIP) to play his famous slide part on the version of Freebird, featuring Dolly Parton, on this album and also on her Rockstar album.
He said it took several calls but everything worked out and Gary was able to do it and wanted to do it. It was the last recording known he did. As a fan, I’m glad Artimus was able to make that happen.
He said he was going to take pictures and sign stuff after the show, and he did, but some people went ahead and gave him some stuff to sign, and he had no problem doing it.
So, I figured I’ll just go ahead and have him sign my stuff if he was OK with it, and he was.
He signed all my Skynyrd CDs he’s on and the Anthems CD and he told me how great his band is. He said you can’t beat the original but that his band is really good, and they are.
When I told him I had been playing the music all day leading up to the show, he said “Ronnie Van Zant never wrote a bad song” and he’s right.
When I told him he is one of my favorite drummers, he said something to the effect of “well I just took a little from here and there”. And when I told him Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin once said something to the effect of “everybody nicks it”, he said he once met Robert and thought he was cool and a lot taller than he thought he was. Trust me, Artimus is a phenomenal drummer. Always has been. And I’m going to keep saying this, but he is so down to earth and kind.
And again, I was going to wait until after the show to get pictures with him, and I still did then too, but he said “snap away” so we took some pictures together right then.
Even when the crowd increased a bit and saw that he was just hanging out and wanted to speak to him and get stuff signed, he still took the time to talk to them and signed stuff right then if they wished and took pictures.
And again, after the show, he did the same thing. Signed stuff, talked to fans, took pictures, and was just so down to earth and kind to everyone.
When I was in line the second time, he was telling some ladies about the Anthems CD and when they said they didn’t know about it, I handed him my CD and he showed it to them and told them about it. He then handed it back to me. He told me he loved my Grand Funk hat too and said their singer/guitarist Mark Farner (phenomenal talent too) is one of his friends.
Even though he’s not online (his socials are handled by others), I still gave him my website card and told him about what I do on here. When I told him I was going to type a review of this experience, he said “thank you for doing that”. And even though he is not online and doesn’t look at it, I told him one of the band could show him. He told his merch guy to hold on to my card, but even if he never sees this, I appreciate him even accepting my card. And he jokingly said “this isn’t a porno site is it?” And I laughed and said no and he said OK. Funny.
And might I add, Artimus did all of this for free. He does not charge for meet and greets. Again, he is just a great, down to earth, kind person who loves to talk to people and cares about the fans.
I cannot say enough about Artimus Pyle.
Great talent and his band rocks, but wow, what a great person he is.
Thank you Artimus and all of the band for being awesome and keep on rocking guys.
As I mentioned, Six Gun Sally was the opening act and they rocked too. They have a new single and album coming soon. I’ll definitely be checking those out.
Again, I don’t know if Artimus will ever see this, but if he does, I again just want to say thank you sir for all the great music, the great shows, the great memories, and just for your kindness.
And thanks to he and the band for singing/playing these amazing songs amazingly well.
Thank you.
The Artimus Pyle Band Members:
- Artimus Pyle (Drums)
- Brad Durden (Vocals/Keyboards)
- Scott Raines (Guitar/Vocals)
- Jerry Lyda (Guitar/Vocals)
- Jeff Delk (Bass)
Set list:
- Workin’ For MCA
- I Ain’t The One
- Call Me The Breeze
- That Smell
- Saturday Night Special
- Drum Solo
- Gimme Three Steps
- Simple Man
- On The Hunt
- Street Survivors
- All I Can Do Is Write About It
- Tuesdays Gone (Acoustic)
- What’s Your Name
- Searching
- Whiskey Rock-A-Roller
- Sweet Home Alabama
- Freebird
Photo Gallery (click on thumbnail to view larger image)
Video Gallery (click on thumbnail to play video)
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Maxxxine Movie Review
One of my best friends Jamie McClintic and I went to see the movie Maxxxine on July 7.
It was released on July 3 and it is the third movie of director/producer/writer/editor Ti West’s X film series.
Mia Goth is the star, reprising her role of the previous movies (X and Pearl) of Maxine Minx, a porn star, with a mysterious past, trying to get into the movie business.
She auditions for a part and gets it, however, she finds herself caught in the middle of a series of murders that may or may not be linked to the infamous “Night Stalker” murders of the 1980s.
Also starring Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, and Lily Collins, this is a very good thriller. A bit gory at times, but effective.
It also has a lot of cool music in it. Including a Judas Priest song recorded in the 80s but not released until 2001 called Prisoner Of Your Eyes!! As a big Priest fan, I find that very cool!
Check it out.
Jamie and I really enjoyed it.
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Beverly Hills Cop Axel F Movie Review
Eddie Murphy returns to one of the characters he made famous 40 years ago in Beverly Hills Cop in the fourth movie of the franchise, Beverly Hills Cop Axel F.
The movie, streaming exclusively on Netflix as of this writing, stars Murphy as Axel Foley, a Detroit cop, who returns to Beverly Hills to help not only his friend from the other three movies, Billy Rosewood (played by Judge Reinhold), but also to help his daughter Jane (played by Taylor Paige).
Her character’s life has been threatened because a client she is representing knows too much about a group of dirty cops.
Also starring fellow Beverly Hills Cop movie alums John Ashton (John Taggart), Paul Reiser (Jeffrey Friedman) and Bronson Pinchot (Serge), and includes newcomers to the franchise but not to moviegoers Kevin Bacon and Joseph Gordon Levitt, this is a fun ride and if you are a fan of the franchise, there is nothing here you should not enjoy.
It has been 30 years since the third movie and I must say I love them all, so I wish it would not have taken this long for another. However, it was worth the wait.
I had a lot of fun watching this.
Another great addition to the franchise.
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Defending ELP’s Love Beach Album and Other Albums Made By Bands That Were Not Successful or the Bands That Made Them Don’t Like Them
I am a fan of albums by bands/artists that for whatever reason were not successful.
There are so many: Aerosmith’s A Night in The Ruts and Rock In A Hard Place, Scorpions Eye II Eye, Black Sabbath Born Again, Seventh Star and Forbidden, Deep Purple The Battle Rages On, KISS Music From The Elder. Twisted Sister’s Love Is For Suckers.
There are sooooo many that were not successful and even the bands/artists that made them don’t even like them. And even fans don’t like them.
Another one is the Emerson Lake And Palmer (ELP) album called Love Beach.
I’ll be honest: I’ve known of ELP for years and knew some of their songs but I was not aware of most of their discography until recently, 2024.
After hearing all of their studio albums and some of their live albums, I can say they were a phenomenal band.
But I also knew that their Love Beach album has been panned by both the band and fans over the years.
After hearing the album, I don’t understand the criticism at all.
OK the album cover may have been and may still be a huge turn off. They remind me of The Bee Gees’ look from that same period, which was the late 70s. Now I’m not knocking that at all, but it’s just the truth. And I actually like the cover so there.
But if you listen to the album, it sounds like any other ELP album and that’s a great thing. They did not turn into a Disco band or change their style all of a sudden to cater to radio. If you are an ELP fan, there is NOTHING on this album you should not appreciate.
I get that bands/artists pan albums they’ve made if they weren’t hits, but why would you pan one if you had fun making it? Or if you didn’t have fun making it, why did you put it out? Maybe that’s just the way it is. You’ve made the album so you must release it. Although I don’t think that’s the case because record companies have shelved many albums over the years.
What I’m saying is that if you are a fan of any band, you should give each album a chance. If you don’t like it, fair enough. But just because the critics hate it, or your best friend hates it, doesn’t mean you will. It may end up being your favorite album by them.
Or so what if the album cover looks different. There may be great music there but you won’t hear it because you’re turned off by the cover.
Just give it a chance.
And for any ELP fans out there who read this or who are interested and aren’t even fans, check out their album Love Beach. You may actually like it.
And if you don’t like it, tell me why you don’t like it. Is there something there I’m not hearing?
Let me know.
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Is AI Going To Replace Everything?
Another question I have is if AI (Artificial Intelligence) going to replace everything?
It is becoming the new normal, and I don’t like that at all.
CGI (Computer Generated Images) became popular decades ago, but I felt even with that, there was some reality to it.
It was still created by someone.
Maybe I’m wrong, but to me, AI is completely not real and is fake.
I’ve seen some AI videos that look pretty well made, but I hate them because they are not real at all.
Why on Earth would I want to watch a fake AI version of The Wizard Of Oz when I can just watch the real one made by real people?
I don’t want to hear a fake Johnny Cash sing a Britney Spears song. And I have heard it and hate it because it is not real.
I’ve heard some crazy, vulgar songs sung in a manner like they are a Motown song. Maybe they are funny to some, but they are not real and I hate them.
Deceased sports anchor Al Michaels’ voice is apparently going to be used, AI style, for the Olympics. Are you kidding me? Leave him alone.
Will there be a sequel to It’s A Wonderful Life starring James Stewart and Donna Reed?
This may sound fun, cute, and entertaining to some, but to me, it’s a disgrace and disrespectful.
If AI is the future, I want NOTHING to do with it.
Will it replace us? The Terminator franchise predicted this 40 years ago and it may end up coming true.
I don’t want to be here if/when that happens.
So please, don’t expect me to jump on the AI train. Because I NEVER will.
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Is Everyone Replaceable in a Band?
Is everyone replaceable in a band?
This is a question I have been contemplating for a long time.
Especially in the past few years since the pandemic shut down the world of concert touring.
Many bands have continued to do shows with fill-ins until the person they have replaced can return. Whether it’s illness, some kind of emergency, whatever it is, it seems they are all replaceable. Even if it’s just temporary or in some cases permanent.
Here are a few examples of fill-ins: Armored Saint singer John Bush has had some vocal issues on the last few tours, so for a few dates, he was replaced by Dangerous Toys singer Jason McMaster.
Also, Jason McMaster has done the same thing for the band Accept, when their singer Mark Tornillo was having vocal issues.
Lamb of God brought in guitarist Phil Demmel (Kerry King’s solo band, Machine Head, Vio-Lence) to fill in for both guitarist Willie Adler and bassist John Campbell on different occasions.
Recently, I’ve seen the namesake of a band being substituted with someone else. Singer Jack Russell of Jack Russell’s Great White has unfortunately had a lot of health issues, and trust me, I wish him well because I am a huge fan of his. But for one show, and as of this writing two shows, his band have/are changing their name to Friends Of Jack and have singer Andrew Freeman (Last In Line and the other version of Great White for a few months a few years ago) filling in.
Now, at least they have changed the band name for those shows and I love these guys, but still, nothing against anyone, but as a music fan, this is all very frustrating. I’m sure it is for them too and they feel this is the best way to go about it, but as a fan I don’t like it.
And one I just read is that singer Don Dokken of the namesake band Dokken may have to miss shows due to health issues. It turns out it was just a rumor. Don has since said that’s ridiculous and it is.
I know that the pandemic screwed up a lot of things and especially screwed up the concert touring business. So I’m sure no one wants to lose money anymore if they can avoid it. I’m sure that’s always been the case, but as a fan, I think there comes a time when a band should postpone or cancel a show because the singer, for example, cannot do it.
Can you imagine The Rolling Stones going on tour or even doing one show without singer Mick Jagger? No way!!
Or could you imagine a solo artist like Taylor Swift, for example, have a show go on without her? I don’t think so.
I know some bands have been able to replace everyone and continue on. Foreigner and Molly Hatchet, for example, have continued to tour and make albums with no original or classic members.
Even Black Sabbath mostly did it for years (guitarist Tony Iommi was the only permanent member) seemingly replacing members constantly.
Lynyrd Skynyrd and Quiet Riot have done it as well as others.
The big question is: do fans accept it or not?
And in the case of these fill-ins, do you go ahead and see the band, or do you demand a refund and hopefully get one?
In the case of Black Sabbath and Molly Hatchet, I have accepted it. Even Quiet Riot and Lynyrd Skynyrd, as well, because I see it as the music being carried on. People want to hear the songs and the songs should be kept alive.
But I also don’t think that everyone is replaceable.
I would NEVER pay to see Dokken without Don Dokken or The Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger.
Some of these I accept, and some I don’t.
What do you think? Do you care? Would you see a band without any original members and not care as long as you hear those classic songs? Would you see The Rolling Stones without Mick Jagger? How much is acceptable or unacceptable? You tell me.
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Horizon: An American Saga Chapter One Movie Review
Kevin Costner’s new movie, Horizon: An American Saga Chapter One was released on June 28 of 2024.
As the title suggests, it is definitely chapter one of a four part story.
This movie involves frontiersman going west to settle on land, covering 160,000 acres.
Of course, this is Indian land and the Indians don’t take too kindly on these people trying to settle down on their land.
This movie involves several groups of people. Frontiersman, Indians, Cavalry, outlaws, and many of their story lines mix together.
It reminds me of the Centennial mini series I saw this year (review here) except it definitely focuses on a certain period of time (1859 in this movie).
Costner, who stars/directed/co-wrote this movie, does not show up until much later in the movie. He ends up getting involved in something that he had no idea would involve him, but it does.
This is definitely a passion project for Costner. He has said in interviews that he had an idea for this as far back as when he was going to do Dances With Wolves. He is making these movies with his own money, so whether they are hits or not, he wants these stories out there. Got to admire that.
This movie has a very good cast. Along with Costner, it stars Sam Worthington (Avatar movies, Terminator Salvation), Michael Rooker (Guardians Of The Galaxy 1 and 2, Tombstone, The 6th Day, Replicant, Cliffhanger, and so many more), Jeff Fahey, Luke Wilson, and even has a few Yellowstone co-stars (Danny Huston and Will Patton).
That’s just some of the cast.
Again, this is going to be an epic saga and this is just chapter one.
Costner in this movie set up a lot of the story line and characters that you will see in the later movies.
I took my Dad to see this movie because, like me, he is a huge fan of westerns.
It is three hours long, but it does not feel like three hours.
We enjoyed it and look forward to chapter two in August and hopefully three and four next year.
