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#152 |
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Date |
May 19, 2003 |
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City |
New York, NY |
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Venue |
Battery Park |
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Headline |
SAMMY HAGAR and The Wabos |
Ticket |
FREE |
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Using rented equipment and without the benefit of time for a proper soundcheck, the sound had to be mixed and balanced on the fly. This was a benefit show for NYC Firefighters. Only 20 months after 9/11, Mayor Bloomberg wanted to close some of the fire stations in Lower Manhattan - which seemed absolutely ludicrous given the sensitivity to terrorism and the pride New Yorkers had in their heroes. It was pretty awesome of Sammy to fly out there and help the FD round up some needed support to show the Mayor that budget cuts needed to come from elsewhere. Sammy and Mona were kind enough to sign autographs for me and the weather was outstanding! As you can see from the handful of photos I took, this was a very friendly affair, no real security and you could just walk right up to Sammy and chat. By the way, this show was unbelievably LOUD! SETLIST: Little White Lie, Right Now, I Can't Drive 55, Mas Tequila, Heavy Metal
Meet & Greet: Sammy Hagar and Mona Gladner
SAMMY HAGAR |
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#153 |
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Date |
July 13, 2003 |
City |
Indianapolis, IN |
Venue |
House Cafe |
Headline |
ASIA |
Support |
Lec Zorn Project |
Ticket |
$30.00 |
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This was a unique event where Asia offered their services to be scheduled by fans across America for $3,000 plus expenses. The venue was The House, located just outside Glendale Mall. Including the lucky fan who brought his favorite band to town, only about 20 people were in attendance making for an intimate show. The concert presentation was acoustic and simple, featuring only John Payne and Geoff Downes. Both gentlemen stayed after the show to talk one on one with the small audience and sign autographs. Lec Zorn was deplorable. It was embarrassing to watch.
NOTE: Incidentally, Lec Zorn read this review and contacted me to reconsider my review. He mentioned the fact that this was the first time they worked with that singer, etc, etc, which to me sounds like excuses, excuses. But the bottom line is this - these guys were not ready for a small Sunday afternoon coffeehouse show, much less prime time. I don't get paid to write these reviews and I generally don't get free tickets. I paid for this show just like everybody else. I attended the show with two friends and we all independently had the same reaction: A.) an embarrassingly small show for Downes and Payne to play - although very cool to have been a part of something so intimate B.) LZP was so bad that they were humiliating for the viewer to sit through. So, I stand by my review 100% - If I had to cringe in the seat I paid for, Lec can be uncomfortable with the review that I provide at no charge.
Meet & Greet: Geoff Downs and John Payne
ASIA |
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LEC ZORN |
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#158 |
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Date |
September 6, 2003 |
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City |
Muncie, IN |
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Venue |
Downtown Muncie |
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Performers |
FOREIGNER, Bachmann Turner Overdrive, Atlanta Rhythm Section |
Ticket |
$15.00 |
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A concert featuring any group of bands performing in small midwestern towns is usually an omen for a sub-par performance. Such was the case here for at least two thirds of this event. Beginning with Atlanta Rhythm Section, a band I have long waited to see live, one might anticipate an hour set to include the five or seven most popular songs in the repetoire. Instead, the band focused on their most recent released, one that I later found out was a couple years old. Of course no one had heard it and could therefore not relate to the songs. They did play Champagne Jam and a few other known classics.
Bachman Turner Overdrive, or BTO as they are currently billed without Randy Bachman sounded great. Easily the oldest codgers to be on stage that night, they had more energy and more flash than the other two. Wisely, their set concentrated on the hits they are widely known for, as well as a stunning cover of House of the Rising Sun.
Foreigner was technically only Lou Gramm as far as anyone could tell. Oddly enough, Mick Jones and his other mates tour under the same Foreigner banner without Lou Gramm. I thought something seemed a little strange when this date was not noted on Foreigner's official web page under tour dates. I sat pretty far back from the stage, it appeared as though Gramm had packed on a little weight and grown a beard. We managed to get closer and I discovered that I was only half correct. He had gained weight, but no beard, just double chins. Instead of Hot Blooded, he should have been singing Hot Blubber. Behind Gramm, the non-Foreigner support band appeared to be younger than their leader by several years. This was not a particularly good performance.
FOREIGNER featuring LOU GRAMM |
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BACHMANN TURNER OVERDRIVE |
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ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION |
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#160 |
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Date |
Sept 19, 2003 |
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City |
Noblesville, IN |
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Venue |
VeriVzon Wireless |
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Headline |
SAMMY HAGAR and The Wabos |
Support |
38 Special, Jackyl |
Ticket |
$45.00 |
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This concert was initially intended to be a southern rock hoedown featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd in the headline slot. Sammy Hagar agreed to fill in when the southern rockers had to cancel. We missed Jackyl, much to my dismay. 38 Special sounded as though they were trying hard to rekindle what spark they may have had back in the 1980's. Sammy Hagar stole the show (as expected). SETLIST: One Way To Rock, Rainy Day Women (Everybody Must Get Stoned), Three Lock Box, Best of Both Worlds, Top of the World, I'll Fall in Love Again, Shaka Doobie (The Limit), Rock Candy, Hallelujah, Right Now, Deeper Kind of Love, Little White Lie, Eagles Fly, Dreams, I Can't Drive 55, Mas Tequila [Encore]: Heavy Metal
SAMMY HAGAR |
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38 SPECIAL |
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JACKYL |
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