When an early snowstorm hit the Chicagoland area in late November, guitar virtuosos Nita Strauss and Angel Vivaldi braved the elements and brought their “Guitar Collective” tour to the western suburb of Chicago and cured the wintertime blues for the lucky crowd at Wire in Berwyn, IL.

Jacky Vincent kicked off the evening followed by the incredibly talented Nita Strauss with Angel Vivaldi rounding the evening out. Vincent was well received and gave the crowd a nice warm-up for the shred-tactic evening of blazing fast guitar solos. Nita Strauss was set to play a plethora of her new songs off of her debut solo cd “Controlled Chaos.” There was no doubt that the crowd was blown away by her incendiary guitar licks and stage presence that is second to none. She is definitely captivating with her hair tossing and dressed in black from head to toe sporting a true metal look and tossing her guitar around with a vengeance. While she played her original songs, the crowd welcomed her instrumental rendition of “I’m Eighteen” from her day job with Alice Cooper. She also paid homage to Queen with a fantastic instrumental version of “The Show Must Go On.”

With Angel blazing up the fretboard and interacting with the crowd, he rounded out the evening for the truly mesmerized guitar aficionados.
With the crowd wanting more, all three guitarists ventured back to the stage for a very playful round trading licks that even had Nita throwing her guitar picks at Jacky Vincent. As if seeing the show wasn’t enough, all three graciously stayed around and posed for pictures and signed autographs while sharing a word or two and was extremely cordial. I can’t say enough good things about their musicianship and the only thing that surpassed their talents was how personable and gracious they all were. Nita sports clothing that touts the phrase “Ego Kills Talent” and she certainly takes it to heart with her fans. The only recommendation I have is next time, please pick some of the warmer months to hit the area!

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Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI, USA, October 16, 2018

by Robert Grabowski

The new Fiserv Forum was baptized when Metallica graced Milwaukee with their presence on Tuesday night. The old saying of ‘dive right in’ was quite appropriate with the building playing host to one of the world’s largest bands kicking its tires and lighting the fires, and with the amount of pyro, I mean that literally. There is no question that there is something special when the band comprised of frontman James Hetfield, guitarist Kirk Hammett, bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Lars Ulrich hit the stage for their bombastic and trend-setting brand of metal. Without question, the sold-out crowd was consumed by the pounding bass drums from

Metallica performs during their ‘WorldWired Tour’ at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI. on Tuesday October 16, 2018. Photo Credit: © Rob Grabowski / GrabowskiPhoto.com

Lars on “Hardwired” and “Atlas, Rise!”. By the time Kirk ripped into “Seek & Destroy” the crowd was all-in and I can say for certain that watching 18,000 metal maniacs pumping their fists and chanting along during “Creeping Death” is a spectacle that needs to be experienced live to truly understand as words can’t describe the unity that is felt by each and every one in attendance.

The crowd may be a bit older but there was plenty of the next generation represented that even had James Hetfield dedicating “Sad But True” to a 12-year-old fan up front, dropping to his knees in front of her. He applauded the cool parents for bringing their kids to the show and experience. Rounding out the set prior to the encore was their signature anthem “Mater of Puppets”. Having seen them perform this song a number of times in the past, I can honestly say that each and every time, it’s as if you experienced it for the first time, and seems to get more life and meaning breathed into it as the years’ pass. The finale “Enter Sandman” may have plenty of sleep references, however with so much adrenaline throughout the evening, it was likely that the head-banging and fist-pumping went well past sunrise.

THE SET LIST

1. “Hardwired”
2. “Atlas, Rise!”
3. “Seek & Destroy”
4. “Harvester of Sorrow”
5. “The Unforgiven”
6. “Now That We’re Dead”
7. “Creeping Death”
8. “For Whom The Bell Tolls”
9. “Fade to Black”
10. “Motorbreath”
11. “Fuel”
12. “Moth Into Flame”
13. “Sad But True”
14. “One”
15. “Master of Puppets”
Encore
16. “Spit Out The Bone”
17. “Nothing Else Matters”
18. “Enter Sandman”

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Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band performs at the Chicago Theatre on Saturday September 22, 2018 in Chicago. Photo Credit: © Rob Grabowski / GrabowskiPhoto.com

The historic Chicago Theatre was lit up with the famous marquee proudly displaying ‘Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band – Sold Out’, the crowd wrapped around the block with eager anticipation to enter the famous Chicago landmark and gaze upon a living legend, the magic and excitement was overwhelming. The crowd varied in age from quite young to young-at-heart and as the most famous drummer in all of history, was about to host a musical on-slaught with some of the best musicians ever assembled. As Ringo sauntered onto the stage, he opened the show with “Matchbox,” a Carl Perkins number covered by the Beatles following it up with his solo single “It Don’t Come Easy”, and the Beatles hit “What Goes On.” Playing very light-hearted with the audience, he was very engaging and flashing his famous peace sign with his fingers as he made eye contact and slapped hands with a few very fortunate individuals. For playing a number of cities back to back and performing every night, he had the energy and vigor that would rival any at more than half his age.

Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, IL, USA, June 09, 2018

by Rob Grabowski

On a beautiful crisp summer night just outside of Chicago, Poison would bring their Nothin’ But A Good Time tour through for the 30th anniversary of the album, Open Up And Say…Ah. Musical magic would take place when all original members Bret Michaels, C.C. Deville, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall hit the stage and ripped right into a night full of hits.

While it was a shorter set lasting about 75 minutes, the energy level and showmanship that Bret brings engaging his audience is second-to-none. He genuinely loves performing these songs and it shows. I was amazed that all the guys in the band look better than ever, sounded better than ever, and quite frankly have a touring schedule that could be a bit demanding, and they never seemed winded or appeared to be going through the motions.

C.C. has always been underrated on guitar and he was as hot as ever playing clean and tasteful, lighting up that fretboard. Rikki and Bobby

Poison performs during the Nothin’ But a Good Time Tour at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 9, 2018, in Tinley Park, IL. (credit: Rob Grabowski)

keeping the bottom end in the groove, is truly the glue that keeps it all together.

There is no question that the feel good, party rock anthem’s stood the test of time to the crowd ranging in ages from 8-80.

Bret shows nothing but class when he honors the men and woman who served in the military during ‘Something To Believe In’. As Bret started playing “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn” he brought an updated more happier, upbeat version, than the original dark, somber tone and it was well received.

The crowd could hardly contain their enthusiasm with “Nothin’ But A Good Time” and finishing with a cover of KISS’s “Rock ’n’ Roll All Nite” capped the set off without having any lulls or breaks in the tempo.

The boys definitely gave 110 percent from the time they hit the stage and delivered a fun and memorable night. I think everyone there was left wanting more and would definitely go to another Poison concert. I would like to see a longer set and I’m sure they could handle playing at least 100 minutes. They certainly have the catalog and the fans would welcome some of the deeper cuts.

Personally, I would love to see C.C. sing “I Hate Every Bone In Your Body But Mine”. To their credit, bands seem to have revolving members these days, and while Poison has been through it’s share of drama in the past, when the original members are together, there is something magical with how they come together seamlessly to bring us back to better days and every person who saw one of these shows on this tour would agree.

SETLIST:

Look What The Cat Dragged In
I Want Action
Ride The Wind
Talk Dirty To Me
Something To Believe In
Your Mama Don’t Dance
Guitar Solo
Fallen Angel
Unskinny Bop
Drum Solo
Bass Solo
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Nothin’ But A Good Time
Rock ‘n’ Roll All Nite (Encore)

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By Rob Grabowski

With the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, IL. hosting Cinderella’s Tom Keifer Friday night, the nearly sold-out venue was up for an incredible and

Tom Keifer (credit: Rob Grabowski)

memorable rocking show.  It was an extremely hot May day and when Tom Keifer sauntered onto the stage, the heated-up crowd would definitely welcome his ever-so-cool swagger onto the stage. While Tom wasted no-time ripping into “The More Things Change” and “The Last Mile” the tone was set for a rocking bluesy jaunt down memory lane to a fun and timeless era of music that may seem a little distant when looking at a calendar, but Keifer proves that he can still be the belle-of-the-ball, and the music he gave us years ago can stand the test of time.
Offering up some newer solo releases like the title track, “The Way Life Goes”, with “It’s Not Enough”, and “Solid Ground” we get an insight into where Tom has gone on his musical journey and the newer material stands up to his classic sound and was well received by the raucous crowd. “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” was an awe-inspiring duet between Tom and his wife, Savannah. The choreography of Tom sitting at the piano pouring out his heart and soul to his graceful exit from behind the piano to being handed a guitar for the in-your-face guitar solo, finishing out the timeless ballad which poured right into the cryptic intro for “Nobody’s Fool”.

There was an eerie silence as the crowd watched Tom strut with intent, gripping his microphone close to his lips as he had the crowd mesmerized watching him sing his tale of how he’s Nobody’s Fool. While this was certainly the highlight of the show for me, Tom had the crowd eating from his palm as he tore into “Night Songs”, “Coming Home”, “Shelter Me”, and rounding out the evening with an incredibly cool version of The Beatles, “With A Little Help From My Friends” to an appropriate closer in “Gypsy Road”.

While Tom may not be dealing with any evil step-sisters and his chariot didn’t turn into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight, his musicality and showmanship with this assembly of musicians were second to none. He had everyone in attendance in agreement that he will forever be able to wear those glass slippers from clubs to auditoriums and that he is, and always will be, our musical Prince Charming.
• The More Things Change

• The Last Mile

• The Way Life Goes

• Long Cold Winter

• It’s Not Enough

• Somebody Save Me

• Shake Me

• Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)

• Nobody’s Fool

• Solid Ground

• Night Songs

• Coming Home

• Shelter Me

• With a Little Help From My Friends

• Gypsy Road

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