RichRock
The 80’s metal classic rock tour continued for me and my 16 year old son with AC/DC in Tacoma, Washington on February 2, 2016.
This was the opening U.S. date on the “Rock or Bust Tour” and with their last show December 15th in New Zealand, you would think the band would be well-rested and loaded with energy for their first performance in the new world. And indeed they were, with the now 60-year-old Angus Young, playing guitar and running around the stage like it was still 1980 and 68-year-old lead singer Brian Johnson giving it his all and sounding as strong as ever.
This show was LOUD and of course, I forgot my ear plugs. By comparison, Motley Crue was fairly low volume last December in Portland. I explained to my son that this was how it was in the 80’s… most of us would go home with our ears ringing. That’s tougher to do when you’re pushing 50, but for one night, it was worth it and we loved every minute of it. After opening with ‘Rock or Bust,’ ‘Shoot to Thrill’ and ‘Hell Ain’t A Band Place To Be,’ AC/DC launched into ‘Back In Black,’ ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap,’ an absolutely killer version of ‘Thunderstruck’ and ‘High Voltage.’
An onslaught of classics followed, including ‘Hells Bells,’ and ‘Given The Dog A Bone,’ which was the first time AC/DC has played that song live since the “Back In Black” tour in 1980… pretty cool.
‘Sin City’ was on the setlist and the smash ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’ Then the lads from down under played my favorites back-to-back, ‘Shot Down In Flames’ and ‘Have A Drink On Me.’ I have mixed feelings about hearing the new singer perform the old singer’s songs (ie, I wasn’t that interested in hearing DIO singing Ozzy’s early Black Sabbath stuff) and I have always felt that way about Brian Johnson singing Bon Scott’s songs, but on this go around, he was really great, especially on ‘Shot Down In Flames,’ ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ and crowd favorite ‘T-N-T.’
AC/DC isn’t AC/DC without guitar god Angus Young and he delivered a blistering solo that was longer than most the band’s songs, but totally engrossing watching the master at work. His energy was unbelievable and seeing him spin around while laying on his back on the stage like he has always done, I couldn’t imagine this tour being his last (if that should turn out to be the case)… Angus still has so much to give.
After an 18 song set, AC/DC returned for encores ‘Highway To Hell’ and ‘For Those About To Rock,’ an epic end to a memorable night for my son and me.
In 1984, I was 17 when my parents allowed me to attend my first concert. It was Motley Crue opening for Ozzy Osbourne at the Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon.
The Crue was it with the red hot ‘Shout at the Devil’ fueling their rise that year and stealing some of the thunder from old man Ozzy who was touring without Randy Rhoads and a ‘Bark at the Moon’ record that didn’t matchup to his first two albums.
Fast forward 31 years later and here I was attending the final Motley Crue concert in Portland with my 16 year old son, which turned out to be his first concert… a surreal moment for his old man for sure. He loves the band and we had a great time rockin’ out one last time with Vince, Nikki, Mick and Tommy.
As expected, #RipMotleyCrue played all the Crue classics, opening with ‘Girls, Girls’, Girls and ‘Wildside’ before rolling through some of their biggest pop hits: ‘Primal Scream,’ ‘Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.),’ ‘Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)’ and ‘Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room.’
Those songs are all fine, but most Crue fans cut their teeth on the earlier stuff that came later in the show: ‘Looks That Kill,’ ‘Shout at the Devil,’ and ‘Livewire.’ Click Here for full setlist.
The show was great, but Tommy Lee’s roller coaster drum solo was even better. “This has been a lifetime dream,” he yelled out.
This is really the end for Motley Crue, bringing mixed feelings for an old timer like me. They don’t have the edge of their youth anymore, so it’s probably best they wrap this up. However, these 80’s metal bands have been such a huge part of our lives, it can be tough to let go of the past. My son loves the Crue, but he loves what they were and fortunately with the classic recordings, we can hear them in their prime until our final tour.
Van Halen rocked Jimmy Kimmel Live in Hollywood, California on Monday, March 30, 2015 to promote their upcoming tour and live album ‘Tokyo Dome.’
After kicking off with Panama, about 2 minutes into the song, singer David Lee Roth smashed his nose with the microphone so hard I think it may have broke. Blood gushed out of his nose so much that he had to stop the show.
After getting cleaned up and a band aid on Roth’s nose, the show continued and Van Halen kicked ass through a set that included: ‘Ain;t Talkin Bout Love,’ ‘Unchained,’ and Eddie Van Halen shredding through ‘Eruption’ before launching into ‘You Really Got Me.’
Since this is a TV show for Jimmy Kimmel, no cameras are allowed but I was able to get some photos with my cell phone… Enjoy -Ralph
Suicidal Tendencies rocked the Music Box in Hollywood, California on December 20, 2013… just in time for Christmas!!!!
Singer and founder Mike Muir, Bassist Tim “Rawbiz” Williams, Drummer Eric Moore, Guitarist Nico Santora and lead guitarist Dean Pleasants sounded a little off at the start of the concert as the sound was just a little distorted, but they didn’t let that bother them and the sound began to improve.
As expected, this show was full of energy and adrenaline as the band invited fans to mosh on stage with them for at least 4 songs! Suicidal Tendencies blasted through a 12 song set that included ‘War Inside my Head,’ ‘Institutionalized’ and the new one, ‘Smash It.’
Since it is the holiday season, Mike Muir had his family with him and his two sons made a special appearance… it was a great moment. Here are a few more photos. Enjoy!!!! -Ralph
METAL SHOP’s Edward Flores attended the Bass Player LIVE! (presented by Hartke) Concert & Awards Show Saturday, November 9, 2013 at the historic Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler was honored and musicians who took part included Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Jason Newsted (METALLICA), Chris Broderick (MEGADETH), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX) and Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, DIO).
Click Here for more videos.
In the last few months Megadeth has been on tour with Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath in the USA and South America. So now with some down time and getting ready to do their own headliner tour, why not do a one night show for the fans!!!!
Megadeth did just that and kicked ass with a 90 minute set at The Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall next door to the University of Southern California campus on October 29, 2013.
Megadeth hit the stage hard with “Hanger 18” and blazed through 14 songs that included “Wake Up Dead,” “Sweating Bullets,” “Set The World Afire” and “Kingmaker” off the new album Super Collider.
Between tours, they could have taken some time off, but Dave Mustaine, David Ellefson, Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover love to perform live… they gave it there all and it showed.
Broderick’s guitar solo on “She Wolf” was amazing, hitting every note right on cue and Shawn Drover’s drums were tuned to sound perfect in a live setting.
David Ellefson got the crowd going by having them clap their hands to the intro to “Peace Sells” as Vic Rattlehead made an appearance and for the first time I can remember, Dave Mustaine appeared to be having fun with the fans by splitting the hall down the middle into two sections and having them scream to see who was louder as they broke into the final song of the night, “Holy Wars.”
Special thanks to Caitlin DeForest for making this happen for METAL SHOP. Here are a few more photos… Enjoy. -Ralph
Iron Maiden headlined “The Battle Of San Bernardino” at San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore, California on Friday, September 2013. The night ended Maiden’s seven-date 2013 U.S. run of the “Maiden England” tour that began in 2012.
Tens of thousands of fans thrusted their fists in the air and banged their heads, not only to the esteemed headliners, but also to supporting acts Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament, Sabaton, Overkill and Warbringer.
Iron Maiden Setlist:
1. Moonchild
2. Can I Play with Madness
3. The Prisoner
4. 2 Minutes to Midnight
5. Afraid to Shoot Strangers
6. The Trooper
7. The Number of the Beast
8. Phantom of the Opera
9. Run to the Hills
10. Wasted Years
11. Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
12. The Clairvoyant
13. Fear of the Dark
14. Iron Maiden
Encore:
Churchill’s Speech
15. Aces High
Ralph’s Review
The Battle of San Bernardino tour featuring Overkill, Testament, Anthrax, Megadeth and headliner Iron Maiden, hit Southern California on September 13th (Friday the 13th) 2013. As you all know, there is no way that METAL SHOP Rocks would miss this show.
Testament blasted through a set that was short but kicked ass. Singer Chuck Billy got the pits in a frenzy as they ripped through the song ‘Into The Pit”. I knew right away it was going to be a great day!!!
Anthrax hit the stage next with ‘Caught in the Mosh’ as we made our way to the Lawn section. From that vantage point, I really got to see the 30,000 or so Metalheads who where headbanging, in the pit, resting due to the extreme heat (95 degrees) or just knocked out from being really drunk.
As it got dark, Megadeth began their set with ‘Hanger 18’, then blasted through ‘Wake up Dead’ and ‘Sweating Bullets’ plus one song from the new album ‘King Maker.’ The stage set up had three huge monitors that showed images of past and current presidents, dictators and religious figures.
It was now time for the mighty Iron Maiden and the whole place was ready and fired up. Being a Maiden fan since the early 80s and having seen them live back then and throughout the 90’s and 2000’s, they seem to just keep getting better everytime they tour the USA.
If you missed this show, don’t worry, our main video guy was able to catch the entire concert on video. Check it out below.
Special thanks to Heidi Robinson-Fitzgerald for the tickets to the concert… YOU ROCK!!!! -Ralph
MEGADETH: Video Footage Of Entire San Bernardino Concert
Iron Maiden brought The Battle of San Bernardino to San Manuel Amphitheater in Devore on Friday, Sept. 13, with Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament and more.
Iron Maiden are on the road in much of Europe, Russia, Turkey and Croatia in July and the U.K. in early August before heading to North and South America.
Check out the first in a series of Iron Maiden tour diary videos below the band has posted on their Facebook page.
Blabbermouth.net: An audio sample of the song “Ready To Rumble” recorded by Axl Rose’ pre-GUNS N’ ROSES band Axl Rose RAPIDFIRE can be streamed in the YouTube clip below (uploaded by former RAPIDFIRE guitarist Kevin Lawrence).
The RAPIDFIRE tapes, which were purportedly recorded in May 1983, have been in storage in the original eight-track format for more than 20 years. The songs featured on the tape are as follows:
01. Ready To Rumble
02. All Night Long
03. The Prowler
04. On the Run
05. Closure
RAPIDFIRE’s lineup was as follows:
Axl Rose – Vocals
Kevin Lawrence – Guitar
Mike Hammernik – Bass
Chuck Gordon – Drums
According to Lawrence, Axl’s voice on the RAPIDFIRE recording sounds a bit “more Rob Halford”-ish compared to his vocals on “Appetite for Destruction”.
For more information, visit Rapidfire1983.com.
Blabbermouth: ‘Finding The Sacred Heart – DIO ‘Live In Philly 1986’ DVD will be released on May 28, 2013 via Eagle Vision.
“Finding The Sacred Heart – Live In Philly 1986” was filmed at The Spectrum in Philadelphia on June 17, 1986 during the second leg of the “Sacred Heart” tour, which featured new guitarist Craig Goldy. The show was issued in an edited form first on VHS and then DVD. Now for the first time the full concert is being released in the original running order, restored from the original 16mm film and with remastered sound. It’s an extraordinary live show with a giant animatronic dragon towering over the stage and spectacular lasers and pyrotechnics. Ronnie James Dio is in fine voice as ever and the band deliver a blistering live performance featuring tracks from their first three albums alongside BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW classics.
“Finding The Sacred Heart – Live In Philly 1986” track listing:
01. Draco Ignis
02. King Of Rock And Roll
03. Like The Beat Of A Heart
04. Don’t Talk To Strangers
05. Hungry For Heaven
06. Medley: ‘The Last In Line / Children Of The Sea / Holy Diver / The Last In Line (reprise)
07. Drum Solo
08. Heaven And Hell
09. Keyboard Solo
10. Guitar Solo
11. Sacred Heart
12. Medley: Rock ‘n’ Roll Children / Long Live Rock ‘n’ Roll / Man On The Silver Mountain / Rock ‘n’ Roll Children (reprise)
13. Time To Burn
14. Stand Up And Shout
15. Rainbow In The Dark
16. We Rock
Bonus features include:
* “Sacred Heart Tour” Featurette
* Interview ’86
* Interview with Ronnie & Craig
* “Rock ‘n’ Roll Children” music video
* Behind The Scenes
The “King Of Rock And Roll” performance clip, taken from “Finding The Sacred Heart – Live In Philly 1986”, can be seen below.
“Finding The Sacred Heart – Live In Philly 1986” will also be released on Blu-ray, CD and LP.
DIO’s lineup on the DVD:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
Jimmy Bain – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums
Craig Goldy – Guitar
Claude Schnell – Keyboards