My Observations:
Largest Group – The Ultimate Stones (Rolling Stones) not only had the prerequisite Mick, Keith, Ron, Bill and Charlie but also a female vocalist, keyboardist and saxophone player. The band very much looked the part with mophead “Ron” in yellow shirt and blazer and frizzy haired Keith with his iconic headband and paisley print shirt, often playing with fake cigarettes in their mouths. And I could have sworn they found a 50’s+ gray haired guy to play the drums as Charlie – very good makeup indeed. Although “Mick” had all the stage mannerisms of what is now the 69 year old Jagger he had neither the English accent nor vocal range of the real deal and that tended to distract from what was very good musicianship. The female vocalist brought the crowd to its feet with her superb chorus in “Gimme Shelter” and she deserved it.
Biggest Surprise – Those of us that have been listening to Led Zeppelin for the past 40 years know that it takes some heavy duty talent to approach the vocal onslaught that was Robert Plant in his prime. However his Led Repplica counterpart did quite well and much better than I had expected on even demanding parts of “Whole Lotta Love” and “Kashmir”. I was left somewhat “unfulfilled” when they didn’t do “Black Dog”, but understand that you can’t do everything in a short set. Plus they opened with “Rock And Roll” and if that doesn’t increase your heart rate by 75%, there’s something wrong.
Best Look Alikes: Rock And Roll Over, the KISS cover band. You would have sworn you were being entertained by Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter. What was really likable was that “Paul” not only looked like Paul but actually talked and interacted with the audience like Paul did/does even going so far as smashing a guitar at the end of the performance (but not the preferred flying vee that he and the real Paul prefer to use during shows). And, “Gene” had the physical attributes we all expect of a “Gene” (long tongue which the crowd got to see) but even did the “drooling of blood” that is the Gene trademark. As a card carrying member of the KISS Army, I can tell you it definitely was a good show.
Best All Around: Back In Black – the AC/DC cover band. This is about the 4th time I’ve seen these guys and they are the “bomb”. This is what these guys do for a living and they’ve honed their act over the past several years to a knife edge. Not only do they look the part (i.e. “Angus” in his Australian school boy uniform complete with shirt/tie, jacket and shorts, to “Brian Johnson” in his trademark “muscle tee” and beret, but also Malcolm and Phil with their long straight hair) but their performance is “spot on” to a real AC/DC concert (of which I’ve seen 3). The act begins with “Angus” on an elevated scissors lift playing the opening riffs of “Thunderstruck”. “Brian” sounds just like the real Brian. “Angus” is in constant motion, running around, rocking/marching in place and doing his famous outstretched leg “duckwalk”, running in circles while lying on the stage, all while playing the lead guitar at a feverish pace.
One of the signature moves in an AC/DC performance is a “striptease” that Angus does in an extended play version of “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”. Anybody who’s been to an AC/DC concert knows that when Angus gets down to just his short pants, that when he lowers these you’re going to see he’s wearing Union Jack flag-style underwear. Don’t know if our faux Angus had a wardrobe malfunction or if he doesn’t believe in wearing underwear (a la Brittany Spears) but we got mooned. Oh, by-the-way, only an AC/DC obsessed fan or someone who has spent way too much time listening to head banging rock ‘n roll would know that Angus and Malcolm got the name for “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” from watching Dudley Do-Right cartoons where villain Snidley Whiplash had business cards with that saying on them.
But, the highlight of the show is the live Scottish bagpiper that accompanies and trades licks with Angus on “It’s A Long Way to the Top (If You Want to Rock n’ Roll)”. Makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up in its rock beauty.
Between main stage setups, I did see some decent renditions of “One Way or Another” by Blonde Day (Blondie), “Clocks” by 42 (Coldplay) and “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell” by Really Idol (Billy Idol). Decent acts for sure.
In wrap-up:
Cost of ticket: $20.42
Cost for parking: $15.00
Cost for beer: $41.25
Listening to some of my favorite music performed live by some very capable musicians: Darn near priceless.
