1985

This was the inaugural tour for the new-look KISS, unmasked. In the 1970s, this was the step they promised would never happen, but it helped to temporarily jump-start their career and credibility in the 80's, along with hot new licks from Vinnie Vincent. Taking off the make up and heavy costumes gave the band new energy on stage. It must have been a relief to not have to put the make-up on every night too. The result was Paul Stanley was athletic and energetic as ever, running and jumping all over the place. It was as though they were unleashed from their past trappings, yet had the classic KISS musical repertoire to back them up.

SETLIST:
Creatures Of The Night
Detroit Rock City
Cold Gin
Fits Like A Glove
Firehouse
Gimme More
War Machine
I Love It Loud
I Still Love You
Drum Solo
Young And Wasted
Love Gun
All Hell's Breakin' Loose
Black Diamond
Lick It Up
Rock And Roll All Nite.

Tommy Thayer of Black N Blue would go on to later have a number of associations with KISS. First as a Tour Manager on the KISS Farewell Tour with original members Gene, Ace, Paul and Peter. After Ace departed again, Tommy Thayer assumed the Spaceman role and has now held that position longer than Frehley's tenure.

KISS
BLACK N BLUE

When the house lights were dimmed, the audience was treated to a classic Bugs Bunny cartoon, projected on a large cinematic screen before the band took to the stage. Touring in support of their release, 90125, this was the rejuvenated, 1980's Yes, featuring Trevor Rabin instead of the departed Steve Howe on guitar. Tony Kaye returned to replace Rick Wakeman on keyboards, Alan White, Jon Anderson and Chris Squire anchored the lineup. Yes was fully prepared to move into a new era, changing the sound, the album art direction and embracing video and other technology. The result was very successful, evidenced by concert ticket sales. The show itself demonstrated a new laser light show, complete with midair graphics rendered high above the audience. Obviously the set list concentrated on the many singles from the new album, but also offered a number of classics, which newcomer Trevor Rabin handled very well.

SETLIST:
Cinema
Leave It
Yours Is No Disgrace
Hold On
Hearts
I've Seen All Good People
Keybord Solo
Solly's Beard
Changes
And You And I
Soon
Make It Easy
Owner Of A Lonely Heart
It Can Happen
Long Distance Runaround
Whitefish/Amazing Grace
City Of Love

ENCORE:
Starship Trooper
Roundabout

YES

Originally billed as David Gilmour w/sg Ice House, but the opening act did not appear. I won these tickets at a nightclub near the UC campus. The place was called Burgundy's. It was an art contest of sorts to see who could draw a picture representing what a Pink Floyd might look like if in fact there was such a thing. I had drawn this picture of a guy blowing his mind, his face expressing craziness. By show of crowd applause, I won the tickets, along with a bunch of promotional stuff for the movie, Streets of Fire. Since the concert was held near the end of the school year, it was difficult finding anyone to go to the show, because everyone was busy studying for finals. I didn't care, at the time it didn't appear as though Pink Floyd would ever tour again and I wasn't going to miss what appeared at the time to be a rare opportunity. So, I had this problem, everybody was studying and I didn't have transportation. Bus routes to and from the venue weren't an option. I found someone who could go from the art school and he had a car, a fair trade I thought. Gilmour's band was outstanding. They performed many songs from Gilmour's two solo efforts, saving two Pink Floyd numbers for the encores. Comfortably Numb had the sold out crowd on it's feet.

SETLIST:
Until We Sleep
All Lovers Are Deranged
Love On The Air
Mihalis
Cruise
Money
Out Of The Blue
Let's Get Metaphysical
You Know I'm Right
Blue Light
Murder

ENCORE:
Run Like Hell
Comfortably Numb

DAVID GILMOUR

In college, I was becoming increasingly exposed to more types of music. I had tried to listen to the Dead while in high school, but it wasn't my thing. I recall borrowing Grateful Dead records from the public library, classics such as Blues For Allah, Bear's Choice, and Terrapin Station. I just didn't get it then. Having admired the album art over the years, I figured there had to be more to this band. Today, of course I see things differently, but I didn't get it in the years before this concert. The Indianapolis Sports Center was among my favorite venues in Indianapolis. They formerly held the Clay Court Tennis Tournament there and the courts were surrounded by these giant clay pots filled with red geraniums. That was a perfect setting for the deadheads. This particular show was a lackluster performance. Grateful Dead tape traders essentially confirm the same. As a band, it just never seemed like they caught fire all night. This wasn't one of the best shows for the Grateful Dead.

SET 1:
Jack Straw
Dire Wolf
Minglewood Blues
Dupree's Diamond Blues
Far From Me
Esau
Ramble On Rose
Sailor
Saint Stephen
Deal

SET 2:
Shakedown Street
Playin' In The Band
Terrapin Station
Drums/Space
Playin' In The Band
Truckin'
Spoonful
Stella Blue
One More Saturday Night

ENCORE:
Day Job

GRATEFUL DEAD

The formula was simple and straight forward for Billy Squier. The plan was to lead with a strong support act and then the headliner brings the house down. That's what Squier learned when he toured as an opening act for Foreigner and Queen. That's what worked when Def Leppard opened for Squier last year. Among the new breed of LA bands, Ratt was emerging quickly on the wings of their debut release, Out Of The Cellar. This record demonstrated a certain energetic style with solid rock melodies. Songs like Round And Round were popular on FM rock radio. Their slogan was "Ratt & Roll" which worked well for merchandising. They were on their way up, however the headliner was on his way down. It would turn out to be the last time I saw Billy Squier. To his credit, this was a solid concert. It was energy charged and full of hits, not unlike past concerts, with the addition of some new material from Signs Of Life. Unfortunately, it just wasn't as good as he had been the year before and Ratt ended up stealing the show.

BILLY SQUIER SETLIST:
All Night Long
In the Dark
All Night Long
Whadda You Want From Me
Learn How to Live
My Kinda Lover
She's a Runner
Lonely Is the Night
Everybody Wants You
·he Stroke
Rock Me Tonite

ENCORE:
Reach for the Sky
(Another) 1984

RATT SETLIST:
U Got It
In Your Direction
Wanted Man
Lack of Communication
Back for More
I'm Insane
The Morning After
You're In Trouble
Round And Round
You Think You're Tough

BILLY SQUIER
RATT

The album VOA will forever be remembered for the single, I Can't Drive 55. Some might argue that Sammy Hagar's career will be anchored by that song. It was here that Sammy Hagar became a love or hate household name. By now, Hagar's live show had plenty of solo and old Montrose material to draw from. Fans were treated to old classics such as Rock Candy and Bad Motor Scooter, as well a greatest hits of his 80's material. Krokus was also beginning to peak at this time and their One Vise At A Time LP was a solid improvement over past releases.

SETLIST:
Trans Am
This Planets On Fire
Dick In The Dirt
I Don't Need Love
Three Lock Box
Babys On Fire
Two Sides Of Love
I Can't Drive 55
Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy
I'll Fall In Love Again
Red / Rock N Roll
Remember The Heroes
The Girl Gets Around
Fast Times At Ridgemont High
Heavy Metal
VOA
Theres Only One Way To Rock

ENCORE:
Wild Thing
Summertime Blues
Whole Lotta Love

KROKUS SETLIST:
Long Stick Goes Boom
Eat The Rich
Midnite Maniac
Night Wolf
Rock The Nation
Headhunter
American Woman
Screaming In The Night

SAMMY HAGAR
KROKUS