pan6467

So this was I guess the 40+'s big amphitheater show of the Summer. And it did not disappoint. LS and I made the trek from Canton to Blossom, fighting sold out traffic and road construction. We mad it to our seats in the pavilion, 19th row and prepared for a great evening of kick ass rockin music.

Cheap Trick opened and gave what I looked for in concerts, acknowledgment of the fans and some conversation. Rick Nielsen is as strong as ever and as funny, the man can fling picks and not miss a beat better than anyone I have ever seen. Robin's voice was very good but the sound drowned it out a lot. They brought on Journey's keyboardist Jonathan Cain for a couple songs and he seemed to really enjoy playing with the band. Bun E Carlos is an extremely underrated drummer and showed last night that he can play with the bast of them. I'm not a bass fan but Tom Peterson proved he is a formidable bassist that can truly add just more than boom boom boom to a song. There was one flaw and it was minor, but Rick's attention at times seemed to not be the crowd but what was going on offstage. Overall Cheap Trick truly was the right pick to open. They were able to acknowledge the crowd, have fun and get us warmed up for the next great act.

In intermission, one could feel that this was a must see show and that as fans we were in for a wonderful evening of hard hitting Rock and Roll.

Heart.... what can one say about these very beautiful and talented sisters? Ann's voice is stronger than one can imagine. Nancy still has energy that puts 20 year olds to shame. There newest member, keyboardist Debbie Shair, was every bit as enthusiastic as anyone could be. Her head boppin and the body movin showed she was in paradise playing with the true queens of Rock and Roll. The band never let down from the moment they got onstage till the time they left that stage to a thunderous applause they truly rocked with every fiber in them. I cannot in any way describe how beautiful and truly perfect Ann's voice still is or Nancy's energy. This is not to take away from the guys. Craig Bartock is as strong a guitarist there is and he was able to not just hit the notes of the classics but to put a life into those notes that made the song flow with ease. I think the hardest thing for a guitarist is to ease back so as not to drown out the singer's voice and yet to make sure his playing is heard. He did that with ease and better than any guitarist I have ever seen. He showed his respect and love to the fans and Ann that way.... and as a fan I cannot do anything but be in awe of such a player. Ric Markman and Ben Smith on bass and drums were exceptional and played with sheer finesse and a strength I have not seen in many years and that includes some of the "bigger named" bands.

I mentioned the applause earlier but I do not think I did it justice.... It was the loudest, most sustained applause I have ever heard at any concert. Whether it was show or truly sincere, and I believe the latter... Ann came back out for the encore and all she could do was say "Wow" and "Thank You". No, the fans thank you Ann and Nancy for one of the truly greatest shows ever seen.

This band and yes it is far more than just the Wilson sisters, they proved they are not just headliners but deserve to be in the Rock Hall of Fame moreso than some that are there.

During the intermission and restroom break, I over heard many fans saying Journey had a tough act to follow and that they showed balls putting Heart on before them.

Now, I must admit I am not nor have ever been a Journey fan. Neil Schon is still one of the greatest guitarists ever and the lead singer is a kid that shows extreme enthusiasm and showmanship. They rocked hard and played like the tight knit group they are. But in the end...... no one would have been able to top the night Heart had. And I believe they knew it. As a headliner.... they were a great support band for Heart.

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I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

CinnamonGirl

Sigh. They played Cincy last night, and I couldn't go. Damn, damn, damn...

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"...for though she was ordinary, she possessed health, wit, courage, charm, and cheerfulness. But because she was not beautiful, no one ever seemed to notice these other qualities, which is so often the way of the world."


"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"

Leto

ditto in Toronto on Friday (?) night. Heard about it on the day of, and tickets were all sold out. But I did get out my Heaven Tonight, and Budokan albums...