What Does Axl Rose Singing For AC/DC Mean For The Rock Or Bust Tour?

An official announcement has finally been made. Axl Rose will be singing for AC/DC on their remaining Rock Or Bust tour dates. These include a handful of US shows and a number of European shows. The rumors were out there for a while, and they were all but officially confirmed by a Young family member, so this really comes as no surprise. It’s just nice to have actual confirmation because now different speculations can begin.

Axl Rose singing for AC/DC is certainly an interesting proposition with so many dramatic themes that can play out over the course of the tour. Axl is known for being notoriously late to arrive on stage. He also has a reputation for being a demanding “prima donna” who has to have everything go just his way. He’s been known to flat out cancel shows at the last minute with no explanation at all. In general, he’s a big risk for any band to take on.

At the other end of this equation is AC/DC. Brian Johnson is now officially out of the band due to his hearing loss. He has made a statement that he needs time to heal and wants to carry on, at least in a studio capacity. He has made no mention of whether that means recording a new album with AC/DC, but rumors and speculation say that he is out of the band for good. In any event, AC/DC is moving on without Brian Johnson. And that’s a shame. It’s hard to imagine AC/DC without him at the helm.

And yet, Axl Rose singing for AC/DC opens a world of possibilities. At the Coachella festival Guns N Roses brought Angus Young onstage and performed two AC/DC classics. The first was “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and the second was “Riff Raff.” The latter is a song that has only been performed less than a handful of times since 1979. Meaning Brian Johnson has only sung it on the rarest of occasions.

It’s no secret that Axl Rose’s voice is more attuned to the Bon Scott style of vocals, and hearing him sing “Riff Raff” should leave die hard AC/DC fans salivating. This could mean a major change in the upcoming setlists for AC/DC. “Riff Raff” could be just the beginning. Having Axl on lead vocals could mean that a plethora of Bon Scott era songs get dusted off and performed for the first time in years! That thought alone has me thinking that I might need to take in one of the Axl shows.

Of course they are still going to play the Brian Johnson signatures. “Shook Me All Night Long,” “Hell’s Bells,” “For Those About To Rock” will all be performed in their usual rotation spot. And I am certain that the new songs will also be performed. But after that, well, it’s a whole new opportunity. There’s a reason that Angus and Guns N Roses performed “Riff Raff.” It was intended to make a statement. Message received.

If Axl Rose fronting AC/DC opens the door for multiple Bon Scott era lost classics to be performed live for the first time in nearly 35 years, I am all for it! Yes, I understand that it is not the same without Brian Johnson. Yes, I would love to see him fronting the band for years to come. However, I would also like to see some deep rare cuts performed and “Riff Raff” is a great start. “High Voltage,” “Rock And Roll Damnation,” and “Problem Child” would also be welcomed additions. Not to mention it would be amazing to see Axl’s take on “Let There Be Rock.” I have a feeling that he could really belt out that tune.

When I first heard the rumor that this could happen, my initial reaction was “Meh.” I was also wondering how AC/DC would react the first time Axl showed up late (or not at all). But seeing on time starts for Guns N Roses in Las Vegas and at Coachella, as well as hearing “Whole Lotta Rosie” live has me rethinking my reaction. I’ve gone from “Meh,” to “Hmmm….this could be really interesting.” And that could be the start of a journey that finds me at Madison Square Garden witnessing AC/DC history.

There is still a lot of time between here and there. But the first steps taken have been good ones. As of now, Axl Rose joining AC/DC appears to mean only positive things for the future of the Rock Or Bust tour. Let’s hope that it remains that way for the foreseeable future.

Concert Review: AC/DC - August 26, 2015

The first concert I ever saw was AC/DC. It was an experience that I have never forgotten. I have seen the band perform live a couple of times since and have always loved their brand of entertainment. AC/DC is full of energy and the crowd reaction to them is infectious. The band has never disappointed and always brings their best to the stage. So when the opportunity to see them live for their Rock Or Bust tour came up, I knew I was going.

It was my buddy Rick that talked me into getting the floor seats. I would have been quiet content with a seat in the 200s or 300s, but when I asked Rick what he wanted to do, he insisted that we go for the best available. “This may be the last time they tour,” he reasoned. It didn’t take much to convince me, I was in, and when tickets went on sale, we got our floor seats.

In the parking lot, pre-show, we made new friends of the people around us, some who had come as far as four hours away to see their rock heroes perform. These people were having a blast and were extremely excited to see AC/DC. We talked for a while about past concerts, their trip to the stadium, and how many times we’ve seen the band. Drinks and good cheer was exchanged all around. And then it was time to head inside.

We entered the stadium and found our seats with enough time to see some of the opening act. I don’t remember the group name, but I do remember that they were decent and could hold their own. I wouldn’t run out and buy their music, but they weren’t horrible to listen to. However, I wanted AC/DC to take the stage.

When the sun dipped down and the stars came out, the lights went dark and the crowd roared. The opening notes of “Rock Or Bust” filled the air and we were underway. AC/DC was back in New Jersey and conquering the near sold out crowd.

I am a big fan of the band’s latest album, so I was happy to hear “Rock Or Bust” open the show. I was also hopeful that we might hear a lot more from that album. Rock Or Bust is a solid album that fits in well with the rest of the band’s back catalog and there are quite a few bright spot songs. Unfortunately, at least to me, AC/DC stuck to their usual format and only played three songs from the new album. When a band has such a vast catalog to go through, I guess that’s understandable. 

AC/DC put on their usual kick ass performance. Angus was as fantastic as always, Brian Johnson sounded great, and the addition of Chris Slade behind the drum kit was a nice one. He was the drummer for the band 25 years ago when I saw my very first concert, so I hold a special place in my musical heart for him. And while it was sad to not see Malcom on stage, the Young nephew filled in just fine. Musically the band was in total synch and sounded as terrific as ever.

Age is starting to catch up with them however. Angus’ run around the stage and epileptic guitar solos are a little less intense. He no longer drops his shorts and flashes the crowd, which I guess is a good thing. Brian Johnson did not swing from the “Hell’s Bells” bell. Little things like that were noticeable enough to make me realize the band is getting on in years and perhaps this really could be their final tour.

The highlight of the night came in the form of a rare, unexpected treat from Back In Black. “Have A Drink On Me” was performed and I went wild. It is one of my all time favorite AC/DC songs, and also one that I never thought I would hear in concert. Seeing it performed live was the ultimate highlight of my night.

Elder statesmen as they may be, AC/DC still puts on a loud, raucous, entertaining rock concert. They performed for well over two hours and did their best to keep everyone in the stadium involved and happy. If this is truly the last time that I will be able to see the band in concert, then they left me on a high note. What more can you ask for?

Setlist

Rock Or Bust

Shoot To Thrill

Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be

Back In Black

Play Ball

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

Thunderstruck

High Voltage

Rock And Roll Train

Hells Bells

Baptism By Fire

You Shook Me All Night Long

Sin City

Shot Down In Flames

Have A Drink On Me

T.N.T.

Whole Lotta Rosie

Let There Be Rock

Encore

Highway To Hell

For Those About To Rock We Salute You

Upcoming Concerts I Plan To Attend

Typically, I will not attend my first concert of the year until the weather is much warmer and there is zero chance for snow in the forecast. This year however, concert season is coming a little earlier for me. The reason for the early arrival is that Mrs. Vie and I have tickets to see one of our favorite live acts, Nickleback, on Valentine’s Day. We felt it was the perfect way to celebrate the day. And with that show right around the corner, I thought it would be a good time for me to figure out which other performances I will be attending this year.

 Caveat – I am trying to attend less concerts this year than I have in years past, due to financial constraints. But as the days wear on and more and more concerts are announced, I see myself bending that self imposed rule rather quickly. I’ll be sure to provide an update to this post as additional shows are added to my 2015 list. Here’s what I have, or expect to have for now.

Nickleback at PPL Center in Allentown, PA

As mentioned above, my wife and I will be attending this show. This will be the 4^th time that I am seeing Nickleback in concert and the first since they toured behind Dark Horse. From the first time I saw this band in concert I have loved them live and I have never been disappointed by their performance. I suspect that Valentine’s Day will be no exception.

Sixx: AM at Starland Ballroom, NJ

Metal Eddie caught me via text recently and inquired if I wanted to see this show. I haven’t seen Sixx:AM since Cruefest back in 2008, so I felt that it was time to check out the band live again. Of course this means that I will have to spend money on their new CD prior to the show. Man, why can’t bands just give me everything for free at this point? I give them enough coverage!

M3 Metal Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion, MD

Kix! Europe! Quiet Riot! Warrant! Queensryche! Yes, the annual metal festival returns once again. This will be my sixth year in a row travelling to Baltimore to hang out with my good buddy Rob Rockitt and enjoy some of the greatest 80s metal music around. All over the course of 2 fabulous days in May! Horns out….rock on!

Dave Matthews Band at PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ

This is a definite must. Anytime the mighty Dave Matthews Band performs within 90 minutes of my house, I have to see them. I will be on the lawn for another wonderful summer night to enjoy one of my all time favorites in concert. Where I am torn is that the band is playing in CT two nights later. It’s a Friday night show and it is only a 3 hour drive for me to get there. I really want to go to that concert too, but I am conflicted, because the cost of the show, plus travel, plus hotel for the night adds up fast! And if I go to CT, the next night DMB plays in MA, and that’s only 90 minutes from CT… Stay tuned for updates on what I do regarding these extra shows.

Rush at Prudential Center, NJ

My uncle doesn’t own a country place, but he is a big fan of Rush. He reached out to me regarding attending this show and had the opportunity to purchase pre-sale tickets. Knowing how incredible Rush is in concert, I didn’t even need to give it a second thought. Okay, that’s a slight lie. I did ask my wife to validate that I could justify attending this concert. She did and told me I had to go, its family. I love my wife.

O.A.R. at TBD

While they haven’t yet announced tour dates for 2015, O.A.R. seems to be on the road every summer, and I would believe that this year would be no exception. And seeing as how I am a big fan of this band, I find no reason why I wouldn’t attend one of their shows, especially if it is a summer show at PNC on a Saturday night, as it has been for the past few years. So even though this is not official, due to no announcements having been made, I am pretty certain that I will be taking in another wonderful night of O.A.R.

AC/DC at TBD

The rumors are flying that AC/DC is on the verge of announcing their world tour and that Chris Slade will be their drummer for this tour. Remember him? He performed on The Razor’s Edge album and was with the band for 5 years. He was actually with the band when I attended my first concert ever (http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2009/01/acdc-november-11-1990_17.html). AC/DC doesn’t come around too often, so needless to say, the second this tour is announced and a local date has been declared, I am in.

So even though I am trying to attend fewer concerts in 2015, I still have quite the slate of shows listed. However, I did skip out on U2 at The Garden, although I really wanted to see at least one of those. And, I am foregoing Billy Joel at The Garden this year, even though his last performance was amazing. I also skipped out on Extreme at the Bergen PAC, I’m skipping Kix at The Bergen PAC, and I opted to be a no for Foo Fighters at Citi Field. While 7 concerts may appear to be a lot for 2015, it could have been almost double that. I say good for me!!! And I still say bands just let me come to their shows for free…. *SIGH*

UPDATES: 
The AC/DC concert is official. They will be performing at Met Life Stadium in August, and I will be attending that show. O.A.R. will be at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey. I will also be at that show. I also plan to see Guster in July in Bethlehem, PA. And I have tickets for Def Leppard/Styx/Tesla at the PNC Bank Arts Center. That brings my total concerts for the year up to 9. And I still may see Twisted Sister in June.... expect more updates as they arrive.

The Greatest Album Is...Highway To Hell

Every band that has been around for a while and released great records runs into this debate; what is their greatest album? The greatest album is…is a column dedicated to tackling that age old question. What is the greatest album recorded by AC/DC? Join with us now as the question is answered and arguments are made that the greatest AC/DC album is Highway To Hell.

It starts with one of the most recognizable riffs in rock and roll history. By the time the first notes to “Highway To Hell” are finished, every listener with ears knows what song is playing. It finishes with the very original, albeit highly controversial, “Night Prowler,” an exceptional song about a stalker, or a boy sneaking into his girlfriend’s room, depending on which report is accepted. And in between are eight hard rocking, heavy hitting, extremely delightful, rock and roll songs with absolutely no filler.

The last album that Bon Scott ever recorded with AC/DC was 1979’s Highway To Hell. It is also the best album that AC/DC ever released. In the spring of 1979, the band set out to record the follow up to Powerage. When those sessions finished, AC/DC had Bon Scott’s last recorded album and their finest work ever. Not one song on Highway To Hell should be skipped. Each one is a magnificent work of art in its own right.

Highway To Hell is a pure hard rock masterpiece. Filled with themes of sexual desires, hard rocking riffs that no guitarist can duplicate, and the entertaining, double entendre lyrics that the band has become famous for; this was AC/DC at their best. There is a sense of urgency in all of Angus Young’s leads, evident on sensational tracks like “Touch Too Much,” “Highway To Hell,” and “If You Want Blood (You Got It).” The lyrics maintain the typical AC/DC playful style of drinking, partying, loving women of all types, and playing rock and roll.

Highway To Hell also contains one of the most overlooked gems recorded by AC/DC---“Love Hungry Man.” This is a terrific song that many fans have simply forgotten exists. A romper stomper bar room brawl of a song, “Love Hungry Man” highlights Bon Scott at his most prodigious. The yowls were perfect, the energy in his voice was simply amazing, and Angus’ guitar solo on this magnum opus is one that leaves other guitarists in envy. Go ahead and re-listen to this song and then ask yourself why in the world the band doesn’t play this one in concert more often.

Highway To Hell vaulted AC/DC to the top ranks of hard rock acts. And while Let There Be Rock saw the creation of one of their signature live tracks, and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap had a much more blatant sexual overtone, it was Highway To Hell that saw AC/DC reigning as champions of rock. Their future was full moon bright, and if Bon Scott had lived on, who knows where the band would have ended up.

AC/DC still managed to make incredible records with Brian Johnson after Bon Scott passed away, but there has never been another record quite like Highway To Hell. Every song is a sing along anthem that can be enjoyed over and over and over again. Every note of music is a song unto itself. Every Bon Scott yowl is a joyous celebration of all things grand. Yes, Back In Black is an incredible album in its own right, and yes, a huge argument can be made that Back In Black is AC/DC’s best album, but Back In Black is more of a celebration of the AC/DC yet to come. Highway To Hell is a celebration of the AC/DC that was at that moment. And that AC/DC was a joyous romp of young lads hitting their stride and reaching their musical peak.

The greatest AC/DC album is…Highway To Hell

Vital Statistics

Released: July 27, 1979

Produced by Robert “Mutt” Lange

RIAA Sales: 7x Platinum

Peak Position on US Charts:  17

Ranked number 200 in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 500 greatest albums of all time

Singles

Highway To Hell

Track Listing

Highway To Hell

Girls Got Rhythm

Walk All Over You

Touch Too Much

Beating Around The Bush

Shot Down In Flames

Get It Hot

If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)

Love Hungry Man

Night Prowler

Band Members

Bon Scott – Vocals

Angus Young – Lead Guitar

Malcom Young – Rhythm Guitar

Cliff Williams – Bass Guitar

Phil Rudd – Drums

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Graduation Edition

Some important family graduations are happening soon. This weekend, my wife and I will be travelling to New York to attend my nephew’s high school graduation. He will be starting college in the fall and a whole world of opportunity awaits him. I’ve watched him grow from a boy to a man and to see him graduate from high school will be an enjoyable experience.

My daughter is graduating 8th grade in 3 weeks. She will be off to high school next year where the pressures are twice that of junior high. My wife and I are hopeful that we have prepared her for what the future will hold, but it’s always hard to know. Teenage girls aren’t much for more than one syllable answers - - - unless, of course, they are texting.

I remember my own high school years with a bittersweet fondness. High school was an awkward period of life for me, as I’m sure it is for most students. High school is where my love for music was really cemented, so whenever I think back to those years, it’s with a smile. I fell in love with many of the hair metal bands from back then. I also discovered a lot of classic rock bands thanks to raiding my mother’s and father’s record collection. It was the period where music really took a solid hold in my life and has stayed with me ever since. I hope that my daughter’s high school years will have her finding her one true passionate love, much like it did for me.

Here’s what rocked this week:

INXS Will Be On The Road This Summer
This was some of the best news I saw all week. INXS is going on tour this summer. It will be the band’s first time on the road in far too long. And the best part is that they will be playing near my New Jersey home. While there s no confirmation on who will be singing for the band, it appears that J.D. Fortune would be on the road with the band. According to the band’s website, J.D. Fortune is listed as the current singer of INXS with the dates of 2005+ next to his name. I hope J.D. fronts the band for this tour. Any songs performed from Switch would be a real treat.

Brian Johnson Released A Memoir
I did not even know the front man for AC/DC had a book out until I heard him come on the Opie and Anthony show (right after his appearance on The Howard Stern show). The book is a unique take on memoir telling as it deals with all of the cars that Johnson has had throughout his life. Along the way, Brian tells some amazing, memorable anecdotes that any fan of the singer or AC/DC is bound to love. Here is yet another book that I have to add to my never ending list of rocker biographies to read.

Rock On The Range Recap
Over at musicpix.net, they have posted a nice little recap of this year’s Rock On The Range. While I couldn’t attend the festival myself, this is a nice way to see what transpired, who performed well, and who was over the top. Maybe next year I can check out multiple festivals. That would be grand.

New Pop Evil Album Rescheduled For June 28th
Finally we have a new release date for one of the most highly anticipated records of the year (at least to cousin Ryo). I will be reviewing this album for either The Rock And Roll Guru or Hard Rock Hideout, so I will get to hear it, even if it I won’t be able to enjoy it after that. I’m just glad that War Of Angels has a new release date. Now I wish the record company would explain why there was such a long delay and why it happened the day before the record was released.

Every Album Challenge Update
Albums Listened To: 82
Albums Remaining: 1,971

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - The Tax Man Cometh Edition

This past week, I went and gathered all of our W2s, donation receipts, and everything else that needed to file taxes. I spent a couple of hours going through the forms and filling out all the paperwork. I did the math, double checked the math, and then did it one more time. What was the net after all that hard work and careful calculations? We need to pay more.

Here at the Vie household, we owe the government money! How is that freaking possible? Apparently the US government thinks I’m rich. Last time I checked, I was far from rich (very, very far as a matter of fact). I don’t understand how all of my friends file and get money back, while I continue to owe. Do they know some secret code that I am not aware of?

Rather than take my penance and just send a check off to Uncle Sam, I am going to give the taxes one last try---with a professional. Next week, I will be visiting a professional accountant and begging him to show me what I’ve done wrong. If I still owe money after that, well, there’s not much I can do except complain and begrudgingly send the government more of my money. Hopefully, that won’t happen. Hopefully, the tax professional we meet with will be able to find several deductions that I (and Turbo Tax) have missed. Hopefully, he/she will be worth their fee.

Here’s what rocked this week:

Former Alice In Chains Bassist, Mike Starr, Has Passed Away
As most of you probably know, the world lost another great musician this week. It’s a shame to see so many rock stars dying from drug overdoses. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike Starr’s friends and family during this difficult time.

Sammy Hagar’s Autobiography, “Red,” In Stores This Tuesday
The Red Rocker has set his memoirs to paper and this Tuesday (March 15th) fans will finally get to read about Sammy Hagar’s life from the man himself. He recently sat down to do an interview with Rolling Stone magazine and had a lot to say. Van Halen News Desk was good enough to capture excerpts from the interview and post them for all to enjoy. This is a nice appetizer before the main course comes out next week.

AC/DC To Release A Live DVD In May
There was some great news out of the AC/DC camp this week. The band is set to release a live DVD from their Black Ice world tour. The DVD, titled, Live At River Plate will be available in May and documents a wild night live in Buenos Aires. Cousin Ryo can’t wait to check this one out.

1000 Number One Songs
Over at Billboard.com, they are celebrating their 1000th number one song in style. A list of every number one song, the date it reached number one, and the amount of weeks spent at the top of the charts are all included. They’ve also included a video of every single song. You could lose hours of your life perusing this post. This is definitely worth a visit, especially for the music historians.

For more news, reviews, shout outs, rants, complaints, and sing-alongs, you should follow me on twitter. www.twitter.com/ryovie

2010 Grammy Award Predictions

Here we are again, another Grammy Awards show coming up fast. On Sunday, January 31st, CBS will be airing this year’s Grammy Awards. As I do every year, I’ll be watching and commenting on the program in the days following. I still don’t know what compels to watch every year, but I strap in and do it and will be doing it again come January 31st.

Some interesting nominees are up for awards this year. I’ve listed the major ones below with who I would like to see win and who I think will win. We’ll see how I fair, come the end of the month.

Here are Ryo’s predictions:

Record of the Year
Halo – Beyonce
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

Cousin Ryo wants: The Black Eyed Peas. I’ve always liked them and I Gotta Feeling is a solid song that was (is) a monster hit for the band.

The Grammy will go to: Lady Gaga. Although Taylor Swift is a Grammy favorite, Lady Gaga gets all the buzz this year. She is 2009’s Katie Perry. That’s not meant to be a compliment.


Album of the Year
I Am…Sasha Fierce – Beyonce
The E.N.D. – The Black Eyed Peas
The Fame – Lady Gaga
Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King – Dave Matthews Band
Fearless – Taylor Swift

Cousin Ryo wants: OK, anyone who knows anything about this site knows that I want Dave Matthews Band to win this one. Not just because I am a huge fan, but also because the record was incredible (it was in my top 10 of 2009). The band worked hard on that album and Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King is one of their best records ever.

The Grammy will go to: Unfortunately, Grammy darling Taylor Swift will win here, to placate the fact that Record of the Year went to Lady Gaga. It’s all a conspiracy! I hope I’m wrong, but my gut says Taylor Swift wins.

Song of the Year
Poker Face – Lady Gaga
Pretty Wings – Maxwell
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) – Beyonce
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
You Belong With Me – Taylor Swift

Cousin Ryo wants: I’ve always liked this award because it recognizes the lyrics of the song rather than the performance (or performer). Here I’d like to see Beyonce win. Single Ladies was a well written song and her co-writers deserve the recognition.

The Grammy will go to: Another Lady Gaga win.

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals
I Gotta Feeling – The Black Eyed Peas
We Weren’t Born To Follow – Bon Jovi
Never Say Never – The Fray
Sara Smile (Live) – Hall & Oates
Kids – MGMT

Cousin Ryo wants: The Fray, although it’s a tough choice between them and Bon Jovi. Never Say Never is an amazing song though.

The Grammy will go to: The Fray. This song is too good not to win.

Best New Artist
Zac Brown Band
Keri Hilson
MGMT
Silversun Pickups
The Ting Tings

Cousin Ryo Wants: MGMT. Out of these 5, they are the band I know the most.

The Grammy will go to: The Ting Tings. They’ve gotten a lot of recognition this past year and the kids love them.

Best Hard Rock Performance
AC/DC – War Machine
Alice In Chains – Check My Brain
What I’ve Done – Linkin Park
The Unforgiven III – Metallica
Burn It To The Ground – Nickelback

Cousin Ryo Wants: AC/DC. Good song, love this band, and they deserve the recognition, even if they won’t be there to accept their award live (although this year they might be).

The Grammy will go to: Nickelback. Theirs is a great song too, though, so I’ve no complaints here.

Best Rock Song
The Fixer – Pearl Jam
I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight – U2
21 Guns – Green Day
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
Working On A Dream – Bruce Springsteen

Cousin Ryo wants: The Fixer, hands down. One of the best songs I heard in 2009, and I love Pearl Jam.

The Grammy will go to: Bruce. Working On A Dream is a great song on an otherwise lousy album and the Grammy’s love their Bruce Springsteen.

Best Rock Album
Black Ice – AC/DC
Live From Madison Square Garden – Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood
21st Century Breakdown – Green Day
Big Whiskey & The Groogrux King – Dave Matthews Band
No Line On The Horizon – U2

Cousin Ryo wants: This is a close one. I want DMB, but if they win for Record of the Year, then I would rather see this Grammy go to U2. No Line On The Horizon is another incredible CD that was in my top 10 for 2009.

The Grammy will go to: Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood, which is total BS. A live album shouldn’t even be allowed in this category. If they want a live album in there so badly, then the committee should come up with a best live album category. Recording a concert and then releasing it is nowhere near as difficult as recording a brand new album. It’s like nominating a greatest hits album for record of the year. Come on!

Those are my predictions for this year’s major categories. For a complete listing of all the Grammy categories, goo to http://www.grammy.com/nominees.

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

AC/DC - July 31, 2009

Every Saturday The Rock and Roll Guru gives a comprehensive review of a live concert.

Earlier this year, I called up some of my buddies and made plans to see AC/DC at Giants Stadium once I found a special offer for tickets. Metal Eddie topped my list, because he had never seen them live before. My buddy Bobby was always interested in seeing a concert, especially after the blast we had seeing Motley Crue earlier in the year, and my pal Rick was also eager to see AC/DC live. With commitments made from the three of them, I bought our tickets and smiled at the fact that I would be seeing AC/DC for the first time in 9 years.

On the day before the show, Bobby got into a serious accident at work and was laid up in the hospital. Unable to attend, I called up my friend Jeff, the man who had taken me to my very first concert and asked him if he wanted a free ticket to AC/DC. He didn’t even pause before saying “Hell, yes!”

The night of the show, our spirits were high. For once, I wouldn’t have to be the driver, as Rick agreed to handle transportation, allowing me the pleasure of drinking as much as I wanted during our tailgating festivities. Unfortunately, the weather was not very cooperative. A massive rain storm pelted New Jersey just as we were heading to Giants Stadium for our tailgating fun. Not one to let the weather intercept my good times, I said, “Screw it.”

When we parked the car, the rain came down harder, mocking us. Metal Eddie had brought a poncho with him, as had Jeff. Rick and I were the idiots standing in the downpour getting soaked to the bone. I didn’t care. I was off from work, I had beer and subs, and I was going to see one of the greatest live acts on the planet. Rain be damned! Rick did decide that enough was enough after twenty minutes of windswept water. He broke down and bought us each a poncho from a parking lot seller. Normally, those guys are selling scalped T-shirts, but on that day, the poncho was in higher demand.

The ponchos didn’t help much, as we were already too wet to be saved. They did prevent us from getting any damper, however. Just as we got ready to go inside and sit through the opening acts (I was curious to see how they sounded) the rain stopped and I had to laugh. Just our luck.

The Answer were the first openers, and I had heard a lot of good things about them. Hard Rock Hideout and other trusted metal websites spoke of them being a great up and coming hard rock act with a killer debut disc. I didn’t see that at all. Perhaps it was the weather, the fact that opening acts never have good sound, not knowing any of their songs, or just wanting to see AC/DC, but I was far from impressed with the Answer. They were hard to hear, and the singer’s voice couldn’t be heard at all over the guitars and drums. I gave the polite applause at the end of their set, but I hoped hard that Anvil was going to give a better performance.

They didn’t. Anvil came out, and with all the hype that has surrounded them as of late, I was hopeful for a great performance. What I got was Spinal Tap in concert. I didn’t think they were any good. All of their songs were weak, and their live performance helped to show me why I had never heard of them in the 80s to begin with. Perhaps their documentary is better than they are. I don’t know, because I haven’t seen that yet.

After two dismal opening acts, it was time for one of the greatest hard rock acts to ever hit the stage. The lights went down and on the main screen in the center of the stage, a video was shown, serving as an introduction to the night.



After the train “wrecked” onto the stage, the opening notes of Rock and Roll Train rang out, and this concert was underway. We all leaped out of our seats and cheered as loud as we could. AC/DC were in the meadowlands on a Friday night in the summer! What could be better than that? At that moment… nothing.

While I was curious to hear what the new songs sounded like, I was also very interested in which classic tracks the band was going to pull out. Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be and Back In Black made early appearances, setting the stage for the songs to come.

This was the first time that I was witnessing AC/DC in a stadium (as opposed to an arena) and I have to admit, their performance was definitely built for the stadium. Usually, my preference is to see a show in an arena or theater, as the setting is much more intimate, but with a band like AC/DC, they can give their full effect in a stadium setting.

Long catwalks littered the stage and led all the way though the audience. We knew that this would come into play later in the night, when Angus broke out for his long, extended, jam on the show closer. AC/DC was built for stadiums. Their high volume could ring out into the night, their boundless energy could go further in the large grandiose setting of a stadium, and they could feed off the energy of 50,000 (compared to 20,000).

While all in their 50s and 60s, these guys still rock like it’s the 1970s. Angus showed no signs of age other than a receding hairline. He came out in his trademark schoolboy outfit and tore up Giants Stadium from the opening note. Strutting, duckwalking, and doing the Angus shuffle, he came with boundless energy that is unmatched.

Brian Johnson sounded great. His vocals haven’t changed much over the years, and he can still entertain with the best of them. While he may not run around the stage as when he first joined the band, he still has a slow strut about him, complete with a shoulder shake and of course his trademark cap.

The new songs sounded great live, although I was disappointed at some of their choices. War Machine was never a great song to me, and I would have much rather heard Money Made. Anything Goes is another track that I felt was a weaker selection from the new album. Skies on Fire or Smash and Grab would have been much better choices.

The biggest surprise of the evening came in the form of Dog Eat Dog. An incredible Bon Scott era song, I never would have guessed that AC/DC had dusted that classic off for this tour. As a longtime fan, I was extremely happy when they performed that great number.

Angus ruled the night. During the entire concert he was jumping, shaking, strutting, and wailing away on that guitar. He mesmerized the audience and turned in a great performance. Then, during Let There Be Rock he really cut loose. Giving his patented Angus solo, he went ballistic on the guitar, running around the stadium, wailing away on his wireless guitar, all while listening to 50,000 screaming fans. He, once again, ruled the night.





AC/DC came, they played, and they conquered, as they always do. Metal Eddie was extremely happy to cross this band off his list. He had finally seen them live and he loved every second of it. Rick and Jeff were also pleased with the show. AC/DC never lets you down and Angus Young is always worth the price of admission.

Setlist
Rock and Roll Train
Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
Back In Black
Big Jack
Shot Down In Flames
Dirty Deeds
Thunderstruck
Black Ice
The Jack
Hells Bells
Shoot To Thrill
War Machine
Dog Eat Dog
Anything Goes
You Shook Me All Night Long
TNT
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
Encore
Highway To Hell
For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)