U2 - October 28, 2001

Amazing. That is the only word that enters my gray matter every time I think back on attending a U2 concert. No matter when I’ve seen the band live, their performance has always been simply amazing. During the Elevation Tour, I was privileged enough to see U2 twice--- once In June and once in October. Unfortunately, both times I attended the concert with my ex-girlfriend who was more into put downs than our relationship. However, even her negative connotations couldn’t dissuade me from having one of the best times of my concert life. A U2 concert is an experience that washes away all other negative emotions.

Having thoroughly enjoyed a concert on the first leg of the Elevation tour, prior to 9/11, I noticed that the current leg of the tour was decidedly different. Not only was the set list changed around, but more attention was paid to the New York area after the tragic disaster that befell the nation a few weeks earlier. U2 was cognizant of what happened and paid touching tribute at the end of the night.

The start of the night, however, kicked off with as much energy as the June show had. Launching with the powerful “Elevation,” U2 seized the New Jersey crowd and never let go. “Beautiful Day,” “Until The End Of The World,” and “New Year’s Day” all followed “Elevation”. That opening four pack of songs was rife with energy. The Edge was at his intense best and Bono’s voice was operatic.

I, of course, sang along to every word of every song. This only provoked queer looks and quick verbal jabs from my girlfriend, but I didn’t care. I just laughed at her and kept singing. There was no way my evening would be tanked because of someone else’s insecurities. When “I Will Follow” was performed next and “Sunday Bloody Sunday” came after that, I went crazy. Singing as loud as my voice would allow along with the rest of the crowd (minus my ex), my heart ripped wild in my chest. Blood rushed through every inch of my body and the euphoria that I felt while singing those two songs is near impossible to duplicate.

One of the best things about attending a U2 concert is how the band mixes up the setlist. You could attend three U2 concerts in a row and not see the same performance at any of them. U2 is always willing to pull out songs that may not have been performed in a while. They are a band that constantly looks to shake up the setlist and make the fans happy. That chilled October night was no exception. After a stunning live rendition of “Stuck In A Moment,” U2 played “Kite” for the first time ever. This was followed by an astonishing “Angel Of Harlem.” It felt as if the band were playing my dream set.

The biggest treat of the night for me was “All I Want Is You.” This has always been one of my favorite U2 songs. This song never got enough attention and was always much more underrated than it should have been. The last track on Rattle And Hum, “All I Want Is You” is the epitome of a ballad. Bono’s voice is superb and the slow, steady rhythm of the song creates a blissful listening experience.

As the band performed “All I Want Is You,” I actually wrapped my arms around my ex and sang softly into her ear. That lasted all of 30 seconds before she pushed me away claiming that she felt constricted. We had some relationship, huh?

U2 finished their main set in style. “Where The Streets Have No Name,” “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” and the fan favorite, “Pride (In The Name Of Love)” closed it out. During “I Still Haven’t Found…” I sang as loud as I could right to Janice. Whether she knew why or not didn’t matter to me. It was very passive aggressive on my part, but it felt great.

The encore was a special one with “New York” being performed for one of the rare times on that tour. Bono dedicated it to the crowd and talked about the devastation that had recently fallen on New York City as well as other parts of the world. After one of the best performances of “One” that I’ve ever witnessed, U2 closed the night with “Walk On.”



As U2 performed “Walk On,” a list of all the names of everyone who died in the World Trade Center on September 11th were projected on the ceiling. It was a chilling moment that astonished the crowd. Listening to “Walk On” played at maximum volume while reading the names of those who perished in a horrific attack on America was a sobering experience. It reminded me of how small we all are and how precious life is. Once again, U2 gave a phenomenal performance that reinforced why they are one of the greatest rock bands in the world.

Needless to say, Janice and I split up a few days after the concert. That made me 3-for-3 with girlfriends and U2. We would get back together again, but I think that night was the real beginning of the end. By 2002 we were split up permanently and by 2003 I stopped talking to her completely. The last time I saw her was the day before I met my current wife. Life’s like that sometimes.

Setlist
Elevation
Beautiful Day
Until The End Of The World
New Year’s Day
I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Stuck In A Moment
Kite
Angel Of Harlem
Please
All I Want Is You
Where The Streets Have No Name
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Encore
Bullet The Blue Sky
What’s Going On
New York
One
Walk On

Aerosmith - November 15, 2001

In the months following 9/11, the concert scene was strange. A lot of people stopped attending shows as several citizens were afraid to venture outside of their house. I first noticed this at the Jane’s Addiction concert I attended in October of 2001. It was the first concert I saw post 9/11 and I did not like the empty seats that greeted the band. It was sad.

When Aerosmith showed up to rock the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, I figured it would be a much different scene. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. While not empty by any stretch of the imagination, the concert was far from sold out. And that’s a real shame. The band was promoting one of their best albums ever (Just Push Play) and their concerts for that tour were receiving rave reviews. Still, not everyone turned up to see the show.

One of the most surreal things about attending this concert was the fact that I had just lost my job earlier that week. The company that I worked for was having vast financial issues and there were layoffs a-plenty. I had survived several rounds of cuts (thanks to my low salary), but as the company dwindled to less than 20 employees (from a high of 95), even I could no longer be sustained. After returning from a business trip that weekend, a group of us were called into the VPs office and handed an envelope. It was over. The company would close their doors for good about 6 months later.

None of that stopped me from going to see the Bad Boys of Boston. I already had the tickets, so what the heck? What else was I going to do with my time? I looked for Aerosmith to lift my spirits that evening and transport me away to a magical world where there were no worries. The band was more than happy to oblige.

Opening with Beyond Beautiful, the first cut from their new album, Aerosmith came out guns a-blazing and guitars a-crazing. From the moment they pounced onto the stage, I knew it was going to be a fantastic night. Aerosmith is best known for mixing up their setlists, trying to perform a different show every evening, so there was no telling what they would perform. Was it going to be all recent material? Would the band perform a set of classics? Could they reach deep into the archives to find that one rare gem that almost never saw the light of a live performance? That’s part of what makes an Aerosmith concert so special – there’s no telling what songs are going to be played.

The first real treat for me was Big Ten Inch Record. This is an Aerosmith tune that I have always adored and hearing it in concert made me grin like a school boy. The boogie-woogie beat slapped with the double entandre lyrics makes Big Ten Inch Record a fun song. The live version was no exception.

Since they were supporting a new album, it was expected that we would hear a lot of the new record that night. That was all right by me, because I loved their latest album. In addition to Beyond Beautiful, the band performed lead hit single Jaded, as well as Light Inside, Drop Dead Gorgeous, and the title track, Just Push Play.

While I was hoping to hear Avant Garden or one of the other new ballads from the disc, Aerosmith decided that only classic ballads would work on that evening. Dream On, Pink, I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing, Cryin’ and What It Takes were our ballads of the night. None of these songs received any complaints from me. Cryin’ and What It Takes were excellent in their live form and found me singing at the top of my lungs, to the point where I was crooning almost as loud as the band. I’m sure the other concert attendees around me didn’t particularly care for that, but I was so lost in the moment, I couldn’t help myself.

The main set ended with a classic double shot of Walk This Way and Sweet Emotion, which had the entire crowd up and rocking like there was no tomorrow. Everyone participated in the chorus sing-along and the band responded with a blistering rendition of the most classic Aerosmith song in their catalog. Sweet emotion, indeed!

The encore consisted of three great tracks: Livin’ On The Edge, What It Takes, and the perennially closer, Train Kept A Rollin’. The encore was as strong as the opener, and the energy levels were still sustained by the band as they closed out the night. While it was disappointing to not see a full house, for the fans who did venture to the show, it was an unbelievable treat.

The band did not turn in a half-assed performance just because of the attendance. They gave it their all, honoring those fans that did show up. And to that, I was grateful. For two hours, Aerosmith made me forget all my worries in life and just had me rocking the night away. It was a moment that would stay with me for weeks to come. Aerosmith blew us all away on that chilled November night and made me wish that I had seen more shows during the Just Push Play tour.

Setlist
Beyond Beautiful
Love In An Elevator
Jaded
Big Ten Inch Record
Pink
Mama Kin
Light Inside
Dream On
Eat The Rich
Drop Dead Gorgeous
Draw The Line
Lord Of The Thighs
Walking The Dog
Just Push Play
Cryin’
I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
Walk This Way
Sweet Emotion
Encore
Livin’ On The Edge
What It Takes
Train Kept A Rollin’

The Eagles - April 1, 2005

As a surprise gift (birthday or Christmas, I really can’t remember) to my wife, I purchased Eagles tickets for their 2005 reunion tour. My wife is a huge fan of the band and I knew that she would love to see them in concert. I’ve always enjoyed the Eagles and having never seen them perform before I was anticipating a night of greatest hits by one of the premier classic rock bands of all time.

The concert was at the Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey approximately 3 months prior to our wedding. Cathy and I were young and in love and we enjoyed going to concerts together. For the tailgating experience I picked up a nice bottle of wine and some good food. We sat in the chilly parking lot enjoying the food and drink, wondering what the concert would bring.

We got inside about 30 minutes before the band hit the stage. We found our seats and settled in, waiting for a great night of music and entertainment. I had no idea what to expect, other than some fantastic hits. The reviews I had read all stated that it was a reunion tour packed with the classics. That made me smile.

The band opened with The Long Run, and the show was off and running. Timeless songs New Kid In Town, Wasted Time, and Peaceful Easy Feeling followed next and the crowd ate it up. Cathy was in her glory, loving every song the band performed and proving it by singing along with all the words. The Eagles sounded great and time had been good to them. For a band that hated each other in the end and swore they would never reunite, they looked like they were having a lot of fun onstage.

The hits kept coming with One Of These Nights and Lyin’ Eyes. Then The Eagles broke into Don Henley’s solo The Boys Of Summer and I went ballistic (in a good way). I had no idea that they were going to perform solo songs and The Boys Of Summer is one of my all time favorites. Hearing it live just sent chills up my spine. Cathy and I sang our hearts out on that one.

The first set ended with an excellent rendition of Already Gone and then the band decided to take a break. I wasn’t expecting an intermission, but it was nice to have a few minutes to collect ourselves before the next set was performed.

Set two found the band opening slow and then really turning it on. After an amazing Take It To The Limit, Glenn Fry got the spotlight as You Belong To The City was performed. It was great to hear that classic 80s track in the live setting. After another song, Don Henley took over once again for Sunset Grill, another fantastic song. The look on Cathy’s face was one of pure bliss. She was having the time of her life and to this day, she tells me that was the best concert she has ever attended. Considering that she’s seen some amazing Bruce Springsteen shows, that’s a bold statement.

Joe Walsh got center stage next with his solo tune Life’s Been Good. Prior to the song, Joe put on a helmet cam, which was a camera strapped to a helmet that Joe wore. The images were shown on the big screen and Joe ran around sticking his head everywhere to entertain the crowd. A little cheesy, but Joe Walsh was having so much fun it didn’t matter. Life’s Been Good was amazing in concert and found the audience once again singing every word.

Henley’s Dirty Laundry came next and I was just blown away. The Eagles really were bringing the hits, much to my pleasure. Another amazing song made even better in concert, Dirty Laundry was one of the highlights of the night. The main set closed with Life In The Fast Lane, but we all knew the band wasn’t done yet.

If the main set was superb, then the encore was superior. Hotel California, which got the biggest roar of the night, followed by Rocky Mountain Way, one of the greatest Joe Walsh songs ever recorded¸ followed by All She Wants To Do Is Dance. If that wasn’t enough for everyone, Take It Easy and Desperado closed out the night. While I would have flipped those two songs to end on a fast tune, there weren’t many complaints and none from Cathy, who was still hoping for more. After two and a half hours, she was ecstatic and gleeful.

For a band that had been around for more than 30 years (although 20 if them on hiatus), The Eagles showed what a rock concert should be like. They sang, they performed, and they entertained to perfection. I was thankful that I had the opportunity to see them in concert, and I was so happy to see the joy that radiated from my future wife. I think the only time she was happier was on our wedding day.

Setlist
The Long Run
New Kid In Town
Wasted Time
Peaceful Easy Feeling
I Can’t Tell You Why
One Of These Nights
Lyin’ Eyes
The Boys Of Summer
In The City
Already Gone
Intermission
Tequila Sunrise
Love Will Keep Us Alive
Hole In The World
Take It To The Limit
You Belong To The City
Walk Away
Sunset Grill
Life’s Been Good
Dirty Laundry
Funk #49
Heartache Tonight
Life In The Fast Lane
Encore
Hotel California
Rocky Mountain Way
All She Wants To Do Is Dance
Take It Easy
Desperado

U2 - June 22, 2001

2001 prior to 9-11 was a strange year for me. I was separated from my wife and close to finalizing my divorce. I was dating a new woman who was mentally abusive. And I was lost in my career, not quite sure of what I wanted to be when I grew up. Essentially I was going through my own quarter-life crisis as I dealt with my new non-married life and tried to figure out where to go next.

All the while I was dating Janice who wasn’t the most compassionate person I’ve ever been involved with. She was selfish, at times mean, and into creating drama just for drama’s sake. That got annoying quite fast.

While I was dating her, I would spend several nights a week driving back and forth between her place and mine, which was a good 40 minute commute. She would almost never come to my apartment (for her own selfish reasons), so if I wanted to see her, it meant that I did the driving. During those rides I listened to a lot of U2. Their new album, All That You Can’t Leave Behind had come out that year, and I spent many nights playing that album in my car. They were my road companions and the music spoke to me on a level that songs hadn’t touched me on in years.

Naturally, when U2 announced a June tour stop at the Continental Airlines Arena in my home state of New Jersey, I had to attend. Of course I invited Janice to attend with me and bought our tickets. We were all set to see U2 on a nice June night. It would be my first time seeing U2 in almost 10 years. The last time I saw them perform live, my girlfriend split up with me, so seeing U2 perform brought mixed feelings with it. However, I was excited to see them in concert after so long, and I was really looking forward to hearing the new songs.

PJ Harvey was the opening act and the only thing worth remembering about her was that she was really attractive and dressed like a stripper. Her music wasn’t that good, and I was basically waiting for her to get off the stage to allow the headliners to have the spotlight. I was excited. This was U2 and I couldn’t wait to see them.

My girlfriend was her typical cruel self. Taking shots left and right whenever she saw an opening. She teased a lot, placing a small jab here and a small jab there. Her comments ranged from making fun of my singing to laughing about my obsession with music. As hard as she tried, I wasn’t going to let Janice ruin my night. In hindsight, I don’t know how we stayed together for as long as we did. Ours was an on-again/off-again relationship, and it’s one that should have stayed off a lot sooner than it did.

U2 took the stage with a 1-2 shot from All That You Can’t Leave Behind. Elevation followed by Beautiful Day kicked off the night, and of course I sang along despite my girlfriend’s teasing. She wasn’t going to have me join in her misery. Until The End Of The World followed and sounded magnificent.



Classics and brilliant new tunes were performed in all their glory that evening. The band wisely avoided performing songs from their disappointing Pop, and they stayed away from Zooropa as well. They instead chose to perform greatest hits and new hits, a fans dream show. I Will Follow, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Desire, Bad, and 40 were all performed in between cuts from the new album.

All That You Can’t Leave Behind was well represented with 7 songs being played from that album. Bono and the band had a new record that they were proud of and they were out to show it off. That was all right by me, because I absolutely love All That You Can’t Leave Behind.



The last three songs of the main set were super packed hits that had me feverish with excitement. Of course, my sarcastic, wise-mouthed girlfriend had comments to make regarding my excitement, but by that point I had tuned her out. I wasn’t going to let negativity ruin my evening. Where The Streets Have No Name, Mysterious Ways, and one of my favorites, The Fly were all performed to finish the main set. The Fly was brilliant live and a perfect set closer.

The encore was astonishing as U2 just delivered a multitude of hits to close out the night. With Or Without You followed by (Pride) In The Name Of Love, followed by One into Walk On. Well, it just doesn’t get much better than that. It was an encore to end all encores and U2 had delivered a brilliant performance. I was glad that I had gotten the tickets and paid to see U2 for only the second time in my life.

My history of ending relationships shortly after a U2 concert would stay intact though. Not long after this show, Janice and I split up, although not for good. We would get back together later that summer and I would buy us tickets for the fall U2 concert where this pattern would repeat itself. Sometimes a guy just has to learn the hard way. Idiot!

Setlist
Elevation
Beautiful Day
Until The End Of The World
New Year’s Day
Kite
New York
I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Stuck In A Moment
In A Little While
Desire
Wild Honey
The Ground Beneath Her Feet
Bad
40
Where The Streets Have No Name
Mysterious Ways
The Fly
Encore
Bullet The Blue Sky
With Or Without You
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
One
Walk On

Aerosmith - December 27, 1998

As I write these “concert memoirs” for The Rock And Roll Guru every once in a while I come across a concert that I can’t quite recall much about. Such is the case with the Aerosmith concert that I attended on December 27, 1998.

The Continental Airlines Arena in my beloved home state of New Jersey was where I would see Aerosmith live for the third time in my life. The first time I was not that impressed, and rather disappointed. The second time they were much better and renewed my faith in the band. That is why I chose to see them a third time, in December of 1998.

Still out on the road in support of Nine Lives, Aerosmith was holding themselves to a grueling tour schedule. Quite possibly one of the most ambitious tours the band ever embarked on, The Nine Lives tour lasted more than two years and took the band all over the globe. Aerosmith would be out on the road for another six months after this performance.

My wife (at the time) Nancy and I decided to see Aerosmith for a third time, two days after Christmas. I don’t remember if it was a Christmas present to each other, but I know that we went together. We went to a lot of concerts during that time frame in my life, as they were something we both thoroughly enjoyed.

I have no idea who opened that night. It obviously wasn’t someone memorable (like Jackyl) or I would recall the opening act. I can’t tell you what song they came out to, I can’t tell you what was in the encore, hell I can’t even tell you most of the songs they played. What I do know is this – Aerosmith kicked ass that night. How can I say that if I can’t recall a damned thing about the show? Because it was this concert that solidified me willing to see them live whenever they came to town in the future. That means it was a hell of a show!

What I remember most from this night is that the band played Lord of the Thighs live. Ever since buying Classics Live as the age of 15, I had loved that song. The version they do on that live record is amazing and to witness it live so many years later was the highlight of my time seeing Aerosmith in concert. I had no idea the band was going to pull that one out, and when I heard the opening notes, I went nuts. I high-fived the guy next to me and both of us screamed in each other’s face. This was classic Aerosmith at its finest. The performance was brilliant and it made the evening for me.

I also know that the two singles from the Armageddon soundtrack were played. I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing and What Kind Of Love Are You On were both performed live. Since then, the latter song doesn’t get played much at Aerosmith concerts and the former gets played too much. It would be nice to see Aerosmith rip out What Kind Of Love Are You On for their current tour.

So on a cold December night in New Jersey, Aerosmith came, saw, and kicked major ass. It’s just that I don’t recall much, or anything at all about the show. I would see the band again though, and that is a post for another time.

Pearl Jam - June 1, 2006

In May of 2006, Pearl Jam released their self titled disc, which I consider to be their finest album ever. Every song is a masterpiece on that record and considering that I wondered if the band was going to retire before they announced the recording of that album, it was quite a nice surprise.

When tickets to a world tour went on sale shortly before the album’s release, I immediately snatched up a pair. A copy of the new album was available for an extra $10, and since I was going to purchase it anyway, I added it to the order. The album was shipped directly to my house (from a separate vendor) and I believe it arrived the day of the official release.

My friend Kerry, whom I had attended some Bruce shows with in the past, was going with me to see Pearl Jam at the Continental Airlines Arena. We were excited, both being big fans of Pearl Jam. They were one of my five favorites, and with the number of bands I listen to, being in the top 5 is quite a feat. My love for Pearl Jam is very dedicated.

Kerry and I got to the parking lot early. The sun was shining on a beautiful June day and we had a few drinks, shared a few laughs, and reminisced about sitting in the same parking lot 13 years earlier before a Bruce Springsteen concert. Where had the time gone? Kerry jokingly warned me not to sprain my ankle (again) and I laughed at that memory. We were so much younger then.

Having decided to sit in the lot for drinks, I missed two very important segments of the concert that night. The first being Eddie Vedder’s pre-concert performance. He came out to a half empty arena and played three songs acoustic. It was a surprise opening act to the opening act. The second thing I missed was seeing My Morning Jacket open for Pearl Jam. At the time, I had no idea who they were, so I didn’t mind missing them to memory lane with Kerry. Now in hindsight, knowing the band well, I wish I had gone in earlier to see the opening act.



We settled into our seats right after My Morning Jacket had left the stage. Sitting down in the 100s, our view to the stage was decent and the seats were real good. We patiently waited for the show to begin and were rewarded shortly after with the opening song of Severed Hand. This was one of several new songs that Pearl Jam would perform that evening and it sounded incredible.

Hearing the songs from Pearl Jam performed live gave me a deeper appreciation for them and the new disc. Having loved the disc before the concert, by the end of the night it was moving into top 100 albums of all time territory. Pearl Jam had really produced a fine piece of music.

The concert was a typical Pearl Jam show. They were at the end of the first leg of their tour and they were happy to be wrapping up and taking some time off. They rewarded us with a lengthy show that evening. In addition to the new songs, several hits were performed. Given To Fly, Immortality, Not For You (which I hadn’t heard in years), Jeremy, and Reaviewmirror were all played.

Along with the hits, Pearl Jam pulled out some deep rarities, some of which I had never seen performed live. Man of the Hour, Alone, Footsteps, and Leatherman all got special billing for the New Jersey fans. The rarities were an incredible treat, and hearing these songs live made the concert for me.



Lead vocalist supreme, Eddie Vedder, was his usual complimentary self. He thanked the crowd for giving them the best job in the world, told us how wonderful we were and how delighted the band was to perform for us, and explained that without us, they wouldn’t be living the great life of performing music. That’s one of the things that make Pearl Jam so magnificent. They appreciate their fans and they don’t forget how they got to the top. They know the fans put them there and they do everything they can to remember their fan base.

While the classic performances were incredible, the new songs sounded fantastic. I was excited to hear Marker In The Sand, Army Reserve, World Wide Suicide, and Life Wasted as they performed them. I was becoming well versed in the new songs. Kerry however, was not. During the new songs, she decided that it was OK to talk, a lot. Now, I’m all for the occasional praising of the concert in the ear, but when I pay to see a live event, I want to hear the songs being played. I don’t want to hear someone talk to me through almost the entire song. Since we were good friends, I was able to forgive her, and we laughed about it later on, but at the time, I was irritated.

Pearl Jam continued to rock our night away. With the tireless energy and passion, they played well past the curfew without caring at all. They were into the night and giving the fans a stellar performance. The first encore included an incredible version of Come Back and then they brought the house down with Alive. Encore 2 was even better, containing a little rarity that I had wanted to hear live for years.

Back in 2003, I saw Pearl Jam play Madison Square Garden for their Riot Act tour. During the encore of that concert, Eddie read some signs that were in the crowd. One of those signs read “play Leash, you pussies!” which got a loud reaction from the crowd. Leash is one of the greatest Pearl Jam songs out there and one that I had never heard live. They did not play Leash that night.

During the encore of this concert, Eddie made mention to that little sign. He said, “The last time we played here, someone had a sign that said play leash, you pussies!” The band then ripped into Leash without hesitation and played a killer version of it. I was in awe. At the end of the number, Eddie stepped up to the microphone and bellowed, “Pussies no more!”

And the band still wasn’t done. Baba O’Reily came next and at the end of their superb cover of The Who’s classic, the house lights went on. Pearl Jam still wasn’t finished. With the lights shining bright, they closed the night with a phenomenal Indifference. Seeing the band play this ballad with the house lights on and being able to see the entire sold out crowd was quite an awesome experience.

Once again, Pearl Jam was a magnificent, entertaining act, giving their all for their fans, and never selling them short. It was another incredible performance to add to their illustrious history. It was also the last time that I saw them live. I hope that changes in the near future, but even if it was the last Pearl Jam concert I ever saw, it would be the perfect swan song.

Setlist
Severed Hand
Corduroy
World Wide Suicide
Do The Evolution
Marker In The Sand
Given To Fly
Dissident
Evenflow
Army Reserve
Immortality
Green Disease
Not For You
Alone
Jeremy
Why Go
Life Wasted
Rearviewmirror
Encore 1
Wasted Reprise
Man Of The Hour
Come Back
Footsteps
Once
Alive
Encore 2
Last Exit
Comatose
Leatherman
Glorified G
Leash
Baba O’Riley
Indifference

Jane's Addiction - October 16, 2001

On a cool autumn evening I was heading to the Continental Airlines Arena with my wife (at the time) to see Jane’s Addiction for the first time ever. I had been a fan since high school, having gotten hooked with the release of Ritual De Lo Habitual. They had split up for a while, but were back on a reunion tour of sorts, and this was my chance to see the great alternative rockers live.

I was excited, not knowing what to expect. I knew that Perry Farrell was an entertainer through and through, and I certainly wasn’t expecting the same old thing that I got from the usual concert. Back in the early nineties, Jane’s Addiction ruled the world, making all sorts of headlines with rave reviews of their insane performances. Not to mention that they had a stable of quality songs on a limited number of releases. This was going to be a good night, I could just feel it.

We settled into our seats, which were way up high on the left side of the stage, and waited for the evening’s entertainment to begin. If there was an opening act, I don’t recall who it was. What I do remember is how empty the arena was. It was far from a sellout, closer to only ¾ full. That was disappointing to me, as I thought Jane’s Addiction would have been a much bigger draw in Northern New Jersey.

I looked down to the floor section of the arena and saw three mini stages set up. It was a curiosity as to what they would be used for, but it wouldn’t be long before I found out. As soon as the lights went down and the crowd roared, two of the mini stages were occupied by scantily clad female dancers. This was just the beginning.

The opening of Kettle Whistle was played as the band took the stage. Perry Farrell came out last and when he waltzed to the stage, I was dumbstruck. He arrived wearing a large flowing white dress, which could only be described as a wedding dress. Three or four girls were carrying the back of the dress and when Perry moved to center stage, they fanned it out, up and down. That was how the night began and Jane’s kicked into Ocean Size. A big grin was on my face. I love that song.

From an entertainment standpoint, this was an excellent concert. Perry was a showman through and through. In addition to the aforementioned dress and dancers, there was a mini-stage set up in the middle of the floor, where the band descended to after playing the absolutely stunning Summertime Rolls. They performed that song note perfect and then went to the mini-stage.

The mini-stage was small enough to hold the band and their equipment and that was about it. Whisking them back to the memories of their club days, the band starting banging out the all too familiar kettle drum notes of Jane Says and the crowd went wild for one of Jane’s biggest song. Unfortunately for us, there was a little glitch with the sound system, which decided to crap out as the song began. Half of Jane Says was missed, due to this technical glitch. We sang along as best we could anyway, but it was a real shame to only hear half one of their best songs performed live.

The band returned to the main stage and resumed the concert. Dave Navarro played a song from one of his solo CDs, that I thought was a complete waste of time, I came there to hear Jane’s Addiction, not Navarro solo. I suppose everyone wants their time in the spotlight though.

Shortly after, the night wrapped up. A stunning version of Mountain Song was followed by an encore of Ted, Just Admit It… and Chip Away and then the night was over. A Jane’s Addiction concert was an oddity, but a lot of fun. Perry Farrel is a performer, first and foremost, and he worked as hard as he could to entertain us that evening. Although their time on stage was short (about 100 minutes), they did work hard to put on a creative and entertaining show.

I would get the opportunity to see them live once more, for my first and only Lollapalooza, a few years later. However, on that cool October night, I left the arena happy. Jane’s Addiction had given a good performance and I was glad to have seen them.

Setlist
Kettle Whistle
Ocean Size
Ain’t No Right
Three Days
Stop!
Summertime Rolls
Jane Says
Classic Girl
Hungry
Happy Birthday Jubilee
Obvious
Mountain Song
Ted, Just Admit It…
Chip Away

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - August 11, 1999

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



New York City Serenade, Trapped, and Sandy. Need I say more? If you’re a fan of the Boss, then you know hearing these three songs on the same night is the rarest of rare treats. Well, for my final Bruce Springsteen concert of 1999, that’s exactly what I got to witness.

Some Bruce concerts are just destined for a level of greatness that others will never even come close to comparing with. The elements have to be just right and everything has to line up perfectly. When it happens though, the night is pure magic from the opening notes to the final one that hangs in the air like a silhouette.

Late summer in New Jersey on the second to last night of an amazing 15 night stand in the Garden State; these are all proper elements to make an amazing show. This would be one of the best (if not the best) Bruce Springsteen concerts that I ever witnessed.


The evening kicked off with the rarely played (and never played on that tour until then) Night. An amazing, hard and heavy opener from Born To Run. Anytime a song from that album is played, it’s gold. This was followed by some expected classics before the first rarity of the evening came out.

Trapped was performed and it was the first time I had ever heard it in any form. A rare B-side from a charity single that Bruce released years ago, Trapped is an amazing song that certainly deserves more recognition. Needless to say, the die-hard fans ate that song up and took it as a sign of good things to come. They should have, because the night was only getting started.

The rarely played Downbound Train was next, and since I grew up on both Born albums, this was a HUGE treat for me. I never dreamed that I would get to hear that song in concert, and then, bam! Wish granted. I sang every word to that song with a big grin on my face. Downbound Train. Wow!

After a tight performance of the highly under-appreciated Mansion on the Hill, another beautiful rarity was pulled out in the form of Independence Day. Prior to this concert, I liked this song, but after this concert, I fell in love with this song. Bruce sang it with such intensity and meaning on that hot August night in Jersey. You could feel the emotion that was put into the song when it was written and the true feelings pouring out of Bruce and into the microphone were abundantly clear. He was giving us a performance to remember, one for the ages.

As if these rare beauties weren’t enough, there was more to come. After a blistering performance of the standard songs for that tour, and an eloquent version of Ghost of Tom Joad, a silence fell over the arena. It was interrupted by a single piano note. This was followed by another and another. Then a twill by Roy led into a piano roll and the audience tried to figure out what was about to happen.

When Bruce sang the first lyrics, “Billy, he’s down by the railroad tracks,” most of the audience erupted. New York City Serenade was being played for the first time in forever. This is a rare gem that has only been performed a handful of times since 1975. A remarkable, powerful, brilliant ballad, that is incredible live, New York City Serenade was the biggest treat of the night. It was not the final one, but to me, it was the best one. At the end of the song, in which Clarence delivered a sax solo that was so touching it could move you to tears, Bruce shouted to the audience, “That’s for you!” Simply breathtaking.



The newly created Freehold, an acoustic autobiographical romp through Bruce’s life was played for the second time on that tour and was just as enjoyable as it was on opening night. The remainder of the encores was typical for that particular run of Bruce shows, but after Land of Hopes and Dreams, Bruce had one more gift to give the much appreciative audience.

As everyone began to gather their belongings, feeling that the show had to be over, Bruce had time for one more. Sandy from the band’s second album, The Wild, The Innocent, and the E-Street Shuffle was played to the delight of the crowd. The carefree days of hanging out on the Jersey shore with no worries and no responsibilities came flooding back to many in the arena that night. The younger members of the audience (myself included) were just stunned at how many deep tracks the band could pull out and play effortlessly. It was just another reason why the E-Street Band is one of the greatest in the world. They proved it on that August night in 1999 by delivering one of their most magnificent performances ever. A standing ovation by the delighted audience was the appropriate response. It’s what we gave them.

Setlist
Night
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
The Promised Land
Trapped
Downbound Train
Mansion On The Hill
Independence Day
Youngstown
Murder, Inc.
Badlands
Out In The Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Working On The Highway
She’s The One
The Ghost of Tom Joad
New York City Serenade
Light of Day
Encore
Freehold
Bobby Jean
Born To Run
Encore 2
Thunder Road
If I Should Fall Behind
Land of Hopes and Dreams
4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)

Kiss - December 31, 1996

In the summer of 1996, I saw my favorite band perform live for the first time ever. In December of that same year, I would see them for the second time, by ringing in the New Year with the hottest band in the land.

Kiss was performing a New Year’s Eve concert during their reunion tour at the Continental Airlines Arena, and my wife (at the time) and I had tickets to see the show. I just knew this was going to be a special event. What would the band do to ring in the New Year? It had to be something great.

For the start of the concert, Kiss showed a 30 minute video over a large screen chronicling the history of the band. It was an excellent video that told the story of KISS and it was a great way to hype up the crowd before the show officially started. At the end of the video, the announcer shouted out “All right New Jersey! You wanted the best! You got the best! The hottest band in the land! KISS!”

Bombs exploded, the stage curtain dropped, and the opening of Deuce filled the arena. Our New Year’s Eve celebration had begun. The band was in top form for the opening number. Ace’s guitar sounded amazing. Gene’s voice was clear and powerful. Peter’s drums pounded loud through the air. This was KISS in all their glory.

My wife and I were seated way up high in the 200s, almost at the top of the arena. While the seats were not the greatest, it didn’t take away from our view or our enjoyment of the show. What did slow our fun, however, were the rather large couple seated behind us. During a KISS concert, I like to stand up and really rock out. I want to dance, bang my head, and really enjoy my time at the arena.

Unfortunately, the heavy people behind us did not share my enthusiasm. By the third song they asked us if we would sit down so that they could see the show. What the hell? Why don’t you stand up? Maybe you’d lose a few pounds.

Their request infuriated my wife. She commented that we were at a rock concert, standing up was practically required. The behemoths behind us didn’t see it that way and threatened to get security involved if we didn’t sit down. Talk about a major party killer. Rather than get involved in a heated argument (I was seething with anger), we sat and my wife put me on the aisle seat, so I could occasionally stand and rock out over there. We ignored the blobs behind us for the rest of the night.

Kiss was on fire for that show. The classics from the summer concert were all repeated again for our live entertainment pleasure. Watchin’ You, Shock Me, Shout It Out Loud, Love Gun, God of Thunder, New York Groove, and many others were played to perfection.

Ace did his patented rocket guitar solo dropping to his knees and firing rockets out of his guitar. Then he lit the guitar on fire, played a solo, and had the guitar fly through the air to the rafters. Gene also flew through the air, breathed fire, and spit blood. Peter played an amazing drum solo, and Paul Stanley played a little guitar solo of his own. This was rock and roll!

The special event of the evening came in the form of Dick Clark. KISS was going to be on live with Dick Clark on national television. At the end of New York Groove, Paul announced to the crowd that Dick was about to come on live via satellite and that he wanted us to show the world what a KISS concert was all about. He had us practice screaming and yelling and shouting, Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!



Dick Clark appeared on the large screen after that and the arena exploded with applause and cheers. Dick asked how the concert was going and Paul told Dick to take a look for himself. The camera panned the crowd which was louder now and we were all chanting, Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! It was an incredible moment and one that I am proud to have been a part of. Dick told KISS good luck with the rest of the show and signed off for now. They would show footage of KISS performing Rock and Roll All Nite later on in the evening.



A rollicking version of 100,000 Years came next, complete with Paul’s microphone wrap and twirl and his signature howls of “Do you feel right?” It was the best performance of this song that I’ve seen before or since. Magnificent.

The band did the countdown to the New Year next and we rang in the year with Kiss, screaming, and hugging, and kissing one another. Happy New Year!



The main set ended with Black Diamond and the encore came in the form of Detroit Rock City, Beth, and of course, Rock and Roll All Nite. With an astonishing live performance, Kiss kicked our asses into the New Year. An exceptional evening shared with an incredible live band. Welcome 1997 and thank you KISS!

Pearl Jam - September 8, 1998

In 1998, Pearl Jam embarked on a major world tour in support of the greatest album they ever recorded, Yield. Having fought a never ending battle with Ticketmaster and finding it frustrating and fruitless, Pearl Jam had to give up their ban and begrudgingly use Ticketmaster for this tour.

The band was playing three nights in my area, two at the Garden and one at the Continental Arena, and I wanted tickets for all 3 nights. I would end up seeing two of the three nights (missing the final night at MSG). For the first night, I went with my best friend Tommy, and my wife at the time (Nancy). It was the first time we were seeing Pearl Jam since their phenomenal performance at Downing Stadium.

We got to the arena, got inside, and waited to hear our heroes. We still weren’t full blown tailgaters, so there wasn’t much hanging out or walking around before the concert, especially on a Tuesday night in September. The opening act was Ben Harper, and we went inside early enough to catch his entire set, but I was not impressed. I just never became a Ben Harper fan.

Backed with their new drummer Matt Cameron, from the recently disbanded Soundgarden, Pearl Jam was as tight as ever, proud to have Cameron on drums. It was a reunion of sorts, as Cameron had drummed with members of Pearl Jam back in the early days before departing to join Soundgarden.

Pearl Jam opened with the slow, melodic, Oceans, which sent the crowd into a frenzy. I thought it odd to open with such a slow number, but I was not as well versed in Pearl Jam lore as I am now. Oceans actually makes a lot of sense as a Pearl Jam opener. This was followed by the rocking Hail, Hail and the night was on its way. Eddie told us to settle in and get comfortable, it was going to be a long night. That was something we loved to hear.

The summer of 98 also happened to be the year of the home run chase. Both Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals and Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs were seeking to break a 37 year old record for the most home runs hit in one season. On the night of the concert, Mark McGwire was the closest. He had already tied the record and was now staring the record book in the face.

At the end of Daughter, Eddie told the crowd that there was an announcement to make. He then picked up his guitar and either Mike McCreedy or Stone Gossard tossed something his way (some reports say a ping pong ball, others claim it was a guitar pick) and Eddie smashed it into the crowd, swinging his guitar like a baseball bat. Another word need not be spoken. We knew what had just happened.

I looked at Tommy and grinned. “He did it!” I exclaimed. The two of us were glued to that chase all summer long and witnessing the final piece for the record books at a Pear Jam concert brought my two favorite loves together for one magical moment. Baseball and rock & roll intertwined for a brief minute during a live concert performance.

Pearl Jam was in excellent form that night. Hit after hit after hit were pounded out by the boys. The guitars sounded exceptional, the bass and drum work were amazing, and Eddie’s voice was at its peak. Tommy and I were still hopeful to hear Glorified G and Red Mosquito, but we would not get our wish on this night. I was also hoping to hear In Hiding, which I felt was the strongest song from their current record, Yield, but this too would not appear that evening. It wouldn’t matter much. The songs that they did play blew us away.

September 8, 1998 was also the first night of the infamous NYC Breath campaign. Breath is a hugely popular song that the band rarely played in concert and the fans really wanted to hear. When Pearl Jam came out for the encore, they were greeted by a sea of Breath sign requests from the floor audience. Eddie and the band laughed upon seeing all of the signs. “That’s pretty impressive, but it’s not gonna do you a damn bit of good,” was his response.

Then Eddie looked at a sign in the audience that read “can I play drums with you guys?” Eddie chuckled and said “We got the best damn drummer in the world now. Where were you six months ago?” He then asked the sign holder if he knew how to play Breath, which brought a ROAR from the crowd. Alas, it was not to be, Pearl Jam was not playing the request for that show.

The moment of the night for me was a three song segue of Elderly Woman into Rearviewmirror into Alive during the encore. Quite possibly three of my favorite Pearl Jam songs ever (and I believe they were my favorite at the time). This trilogy of excellent music threw me over the top and vaulted Pearl Jam into the category of one of my favorite live bands. They just brought the house down.

The final encore came in the form of Yellow Ledbetter, which was performed beautifully, complete with an excellent solo from McCreedy. Even though he plays the song different every time it’s performed, he always manages to play it flawlessly.

The band gave a hell of a performance that night, and for my second Pearl Jam concert ever, it was a memorable one. It didn’t quite overtake the Randall’s Island performance, but it was very close. Tommy, Nancy, and I left very happy, singing Pearl Jam tunes all the way home.

Setlist
Oceans
Hail, Hail
Animal
Given To Fly
Daughter
Corduroy
MFC
Wishlist
Evenflow
Faithfull
State of Love and Trust
Brain of J
Nothingman
Leatherman
Betterman
Black
Do The Evolution
Encore 1
Go
Immortality
Elderly Woman
Rearviewmirror
Alive
Porch
Encore 2
Yellow Ledbetter

AC/DC - August 24, 2000

Touring in support of Stiff Upper Lip, AC/DC embarked on a massive, world wide, stage-performing domination. Playing locally at the Continental Airlines Arena, I scored floor tickets to the show so that my brother-in-law and I could attend.

I had only seen AC/DC once before during their Razor’s Edge tour, which was also the first concert I ever attended. So when they announced this tour, I was excited to go. The new disc was superior, one of the best they had done in a while, and the live show promised to be just as intense and fun as it was nine years earlier.

Slash’s Snakepit (the second incarnation) was the opening act, which was really cool. I liked Slash a lot, and the Snakepit wasn’t bad. There was also the distinct possibility that some Guns N Roses songs would be played during their set, so that was a bonus.

The Snakepit entertained and served well as an opening act. Playing a few songs from their catalog that I knew, they topped the performance off with classic Guns N Roses – Nighttrain, Paradise City, and Welcome to the Jungle. Not a bad way to open the night.

The wait in between the opening act and the main performance seemed like an eternity, even though it was less than a half-hour. The stage set up was enormous. A huge 3-story elevator shaft sat stage right and climbed all the way to the rafters. Knowing AC/DC performances, I had a rather strong gut feeling that the elevator was going to be put to good use at some point in the show.

When the house lights went down and the elder statesmen took to the stage, the arena erupted with earsplitting cheers and applause. The band may have been billed as one of the loudest touring bands out there, but their fans were certainly some of the loudest fans to witness. Cheers, applause, whistles and screams greeted the rock gurus as they stormed the stage to start the main portion of our evening.

Angus Young still dressed like a schoolboy and still had his signature guitar dance moves. An onstage wizard, Angus would not disappoint that night. He was going to be certain that we got our money’s worth.

Brian Johnson wore his trademark derby hat and jeans, complete with a leather vest that had become known as his style. His voice was scratchy and throaty, but blended perfectly with the music , and it was clear. We knew every word that gravelly voice sang.

Malcom, Phil, and Cliff stood in the background, completing the rhythm section. Set up like a perfectly choreographed ballet, each member of the band had his stage spot and his particular role in the performance. The spotlight was for Angus and Brian, while the rest of the band faded into the background and provided the beat for which the main performers could build form. A band like AC/DC made it work to perfection.

Signature songs were played all night, and of course, the new material was performed to support the new disc. Seven songs from the new album were played and they all sounded great. Of course the classics received the loudest response, and such notables as Shook Me All Night Long, Back in Black, and Let There Be Rock received loud, raucous audience response.

The highlight of the evening came for me when Brian Johnson and the band decided to dust off one of my favorite songs, a lesser-known tune, Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution. Brian mentioned how it had always been one of his favorites, and as soon as the opening strum of the guitar hit the air, I knew which song was about to be played and had chills. AC/DC did a flawless version and Angus hammed it up with schoolboy dance kicks and a knowing nod to the audience that was there to see him.

Late in the show, the elevator shaft was called upon for operation. Angus tore into a blistering solo while the lights faded around the rest of the band and shone brightly on him. He started his solo performance, wailing away on the notes, playing the guitar as only a person of his caliber could. As his intense guitar solo wailed on, Angus hopped into the elevator, rode it three stories to the top, and proceeded to appear on the catwalk at the very top of the arena, almost touching the rafters in the ceiling. From there he went to town on that guitar and then ripped into the opening notes of Let There Be Rock. The response from fans was deafening.

From the floor I was all smiles. The memories of my first concert were strong, and AC/DC gave me another amazing performance, almost as if no time had passed. Their ability to win the crowd over purely on their music, the way the fans sing along to every song, and the way we all appreciate every move that Angus makes, is what helps set AC/DC apart from everyone else. The concert was an incredible event and definitely a worthwhile way to spend an evening. AC/DC gave everyone their money’s worth and then some. All hail the kings of rock.

Setlist
Shook Me All Night Long
Stiff Upper Lip
Shot Down In Flames
Thunderstruck
Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be
Hard As A Rock
Shoot To Thrill
Rock And Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution
Safe In New York City
Bad Boy Boogie
Hells Bells
Satellite Blues
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
The Jack
Back In Black
Highway To Hell
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
Encore
TNT
For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)

U2 - May 17, 2005

Continental Airlines Arena, the site of so many great concerts in my life. I was set to witness another one when U2 came into town in support of their latest disc, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.

At 8:55 PM, a beautiful song piped through the house PA at a louder volume than the previous songs had. Red lights flipped on over the stage, and there was a buzz in the jam-packed arena. The sell-out crowd was restless in their seats, as they knew something is about to happen.

9:00 PM. Beaded curtains fall behind the stage and light up as our heroes leap out of the depths of darkness and catapult into the live setting. The opening notes of City of Blinding Lights are played and the arena erupts in a volcanic sea of noise – cheers and applause are deafening and heartfelt. The concert has begun and we are on our way to a harmonious escape. For the next 2-plus hours, we are led by Bono and his magnificent band mates. We see what he sees, we feel what he feels, and we do as he commands. We are his and we trust him to lead us down a glorious path of music.

With the energy level of a jungle cat attacking its prey, U2 pounced on the audience with the second song of the night. Vertigo attacked the senses and reminded us all how much fun rock and roll is. They had us in their control from that moment forward. And once we were theirs, U2 never let go.

The setlist hit the range of their years, showing their longevity and their ability. Delving all the way back to Boy and then bringing it full circle with songs from All That You Can’t Leave Behind and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, U2 performed the gamete of their history. Attacking the audience with hit after hit, demanding their attention and demanding their voice, they orchestrated the songs like a world-class conductor and the audience was extremely supportive of their ability.

The highlight of the night came in the encore, when Bono called an audible to the Edge with a hug and a whisper, no doubt varying the song that was originally going to be played. He instead called for Original of the Species, and they played a brilliant, flawless version.

By the time the band launched into 40, the crowd was mellowed, fulfilled, and satisfied – not unlike the feeling at the end of a rewarding workout. U2 had given us a vibrant one and we certainly felt the rewards. Winding down for what was supposed to be the final song of the evening, 40 was thoroughly enjoyed by all in attendance and it showed with the chorus being shouted at the band, even after they had stopped playing their instruments. It was obvious that the crowd was not going to let it end.

And so the boys in the band responded with one last unexpected surprise – they played Vertigo again. At the end of this powerful replay, Bono explained how in the Italian opera, when a song is sung that was loved so much, the opera singers come out to sing it again. “Encore, encore,” he said in an Italian accent.

The band took their final applause and walked off into the night, leaving behind an extremely satisfied and enjoyably exhausted arena of appreciative fans. Brilliance and perfection had left for the evening.

Setlist
City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
Elevation
The Cry
The Electric Co.
An Cat Dubh
Into The Heart
Beautiful Day
Miracle Drug
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own
Love And Peace Or Else
Sunday Bloody Sunday
Bullet The Blue Sky
Running To Stand Still
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One
EncoreZoo Station
The Fly
Mysterious Ways
Original Of The Species
All Because Of You
Yahweh
40
Vertigo

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - August 9, 1999

Less than a month after my opening night in New Jersey fiasco, I was back at the Continental Airlines Arena for my second round of Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band. This was the bands 10th show out of a scheduled 12 in New Jersey during their reunion world tour supporting Tracks.

On that Monday night I was feeling alive, much better than the last time I saw them, and I was ready for a wonderful night of music and memories. My wife (at the time) and I were anxious to make up for what was missed the last time around.

Our seats were good ones, not as good as the July 15th show, but still pretty close to the stage, albeit behind the stage. We were dead center, 4 rows back, behind the stage, with a perfect view of the mighty Max Weinberg and his amazing drum kit.

The lights went dark, the crowd went nuts, and the opening notes of Darkness on the Edge of Town filled the arena. Goosebumps covered my arms. I was seeing Bruce for the 4th time and I was ecstatic.

The Ties That Bind was the second song up and everyone was on their feet for that one. The band delivered it note perfect, and it was an unexpected treat to my ears. I fell in love with the song at that moment and it has since become one of my favorite Springsteen rockers. The power behind that tune is mesmerizing and awe inspiring.

The highlight of the night came when the band pulled out Frankie, a song they had not performed live in over 20 years. I had gotten into the song through Tracks, but the live performance really made me embrace it in a way I never had before. I don’t know if Bruce has played this one live since, but I would love to hear it again at any show he does. The magic behind Frankie is the beauty of the song. A slow crooner with excellent piano work by Roy Bittain, quality vocals by Bruce and brilliant saxophone work by the Big Man.

In typical fashion, Bruce worked the crowd all night long. He commanded the fans to get on their feet, sing, dance, and have a good time. He was out to give us more than our money’s worth, and he delivered. Flawless execution of song after song, incredible audience interaction, and the ability to have the crowd do whatever he asked of them is what makes him the master band leader.

Whether it be demanding louder chants during the opening notes of Tenth Avenue Freeze-out, or giving it his all during Light of Day, or pulling out the rare beauties like Spirit in the Night or Frankie, each Springsteen concert is a decidedly different event. One could attend 15 different performances of the same tour and never see the same concert. Those who attend Bruce live for the first time are instant, life-long fans. The power of his performance is unprecedented and it showed, once again, on that hot summer night in 1999.

By the end of the night, Bruce and the band had left us breathless, drained, and still wanting more. It was an amazing night of memories and entertainment, but it was nothing compared to what I would experience two nights later, when I would see him for the final time in 1999.

Setlist
Darkness on the Edge of Town
The Ties That Bind
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
Darlington County
Mansion on the Hill
The River
Youngstown
Murder Inc.
Badlands
Out In the Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Frankie
Working on the Highway
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Backstreets
Light of Day
Spirit in the Night
Bobby Jean
Born To Run
Encore
Thunder Road
If I Should Fall Behind
Land of Hopes and Dreams

Van Halen - June 23, 2004

Back in 2004, Van Halen reunited with Sammy Hagar for a North American tour. Rumor has it they tried David Lee Roth first, but couldn’t agree on a dollar amount, so they went to Sammy, and never mentioned that they spoke to Dave. Van Halen/Hagar recorded three new songs and released a greatest hits package that they would tour behind, Best of Both Worlds. The tour began before the double disc set was even released.



Growing up, I was a huge fan of Van Halen. They a favorite band in high school and I never had the opportunity to experience them live, so this was a real treat for me. I was excited. I took my wife (who at the time was my fiancé) with me, as she liked Van Halen, but only the older version. I wasn’t sure how much she would like Van Hagar, but I knew that she would know a lot of songs.

And while I would have liked to see an original, full-on reunion, I was happy to see a Sammy-led reunion. Michael Anthony almost didn’t make the tour, but at the insistence of Sammy, and due to the fact that Eddie probably needed the money, the band came around and invited Michael to tour with them for a salary. Michael agreed for the opportunity to play with Sammy again and that was the only reason. The politics of rock and roll are always so childish.

We got to the venue (Continental Airlines Arena) in the afternoon and started our tailgating fun. It was late June, the weather was warm and the sun was out, a picture perfect day. With every minute that passed, my anticipation level rose. I kept talking about how Van Halen was one of my favorite bands when I was a teen, I kept speculating on what song they would open with, what song they would close with, and how they would sound overall. I couldn’t wait. We were sure to go in early enough to catch the opening act, because I couldn’t be outside any longer. I wanted this concert to start!

Shinedown was the opening act for the tour and although I am well versed in the band now, back in 2004 I did not have a clue who they were. I listened with an open mind, which is more than I can say for the people sitting behind us. They just kept shouting “Get off the stage! We want Van Halen!” Comments like those always bothered me. If you don’t want to see the opening act, then why are you in the building that early?

I ignored the tools behind us and did my best to concentrate on this unknown band. By the end of their set, I was impressed, and even made a mental note to pick up their CD. Of course, I never did and basically forgot all about them until recently, when they released The Sound Of Madness.

After Shinedown left the stage, my heart was racing. I was going to witness four of my youthful heroes in a rock concert. I had read the reviews and all signs pointed to the band getting along, so I was hopeful for a great performance. Sammy even mentioned in an interview that he was enjoying singing the old Dave songs, where in the past, he did not.

After a few moments of chatting with my fiancé about which songs they would perform (she wanted all older Dave tunes), what she thought of the opening act (she didn’t really care for them), and what songs they would close with (no idea), the house lights went down and Van Halen took the stage.

The first thing I noticed, before I even observed the band, was how empty the arena was. This was truly disappointing. This was the first time the band had toured together since 1995 and no one was coming to see them. The half-empty arena appeared morgue-esque.

The opening notes of You Really Got Me hit the air, and I quickly forgot about the lack of people so I could focus on the music. Sammy singing this Dave-era classic did not come off as well as it could have. There’s just something about Sammy singing Dave songs. They don’t go over well and this opener was no exception.

From there, the band launched into the classic Runaround and the show was off and running. A lot of Sammy-era VH songs were played, and rightfully so. This was the Sammy fronted version of the band and they had enough hits of their own to keep the crowd happy.



Human Being was next, and regardless of what previous reviews have said, I loved hearing this song live. It was a favorite of mine and to hear it in a live setting was music to my ears. Sammy’s vocal range may not have been in top form, as he did have some trouble hitting the higher notes for this one, but I was singing so loud that it didn’t matter. Truly a great moment of the night for me.

The band was in good shape and appeared to get along fairly well. There were a few jabs here and there during the course of the night, especially when Sammy mentioned that the band had been out drinking the night before. Eddie immediately corrected him to say that “He (Sammy) had been out drinking.” Eddie was still trying to prove to the world that he was clean and sober, but as the night wore on, the crowd would be able to see through that false sense of purity.

Michael Anthony took the lead vocals for Somebody Get Me A Doctor, as he did during the 1997 tour with Gary Cherone at the mic, and I thought this was a nice touch. Somebody Get Me A Doctor is one of those lost classics that I never thought I would hear live. A nice treat for the die-hard fans.

The surprise of the evening was The Seventh Seal from Balance. I always thought this was a great song that never got its due, so to hear it live during the reunion paid the justice it was deserved. A loud, screechy rocker, with typical Sammy vocals, this song cooked that night.

Top of the World, Best of Both Worlds, and Dreams were true highlights for me. Each song sounded as great as it did the day it was released, and helped to re-cement my love for Hagar-era VH.

The best part of the night came during Eddie’s guitar solo. He took the stage by himself and launched into a long, 20 minute jam, just him and his guitar. He played Cathedral, mixed in some new riffs, and just let himself go wild, playing what he wanted. I was mesmerized by his ability and stood there with my jaw slightly ajar. Seeing this guitar God man that axe the way he did was an experience that may never be matched.

At the end of his solo, Eddie lay on his back claiming he was spent. That was when the opening notes of 316 filled the arena, only it wasn’t Eddie playing the guitar anymore. Low and behold, walking out onstage was what Eddie claimed to be “the future.” Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen, stood front and center next to his old man, and together they finished 316. Needless to say, the crowd roared their approval and it was the loudest they had been all night. Two generations of Van Halen on one stage. Priceless.

For the encore, Eddie walked out with a Devils jersey in his hands and held it out to the crowd. They, of course, went ballistic for this, and Eddie, with a mile wide grin, slipped the Jersey on top of Sammy and they played the next song. Jump was the first encore song and it was well received. Again, I didn’t particularly care to hear Sammy sing this song, but the crowd certainly enjoyed it as did my fiancé.

Panama followed next and I thought that this was performed real well, even with Sammy at the mic. The pounding drums of Alex and Eddie’s excellent riffs helped build the song up and Sammy sang it as best he could, which was quite good.

When It’s Love was the last song of the evening, and it made me smile with nostalgia. In high school, this was a song that my girlfriend and I dubbed “our song.” It brought back some good memories and had me singing at the top of my lungs.

The night came to an end after this and I went home truly satisfied. It would be the only time I saw Van Halen live, but it was a great time. There will most likely never be another chance to see Van Hagar, and there may never be another chance to see Michael Anthony play bass in Van Halen. I was glad to see them when I could, and to have been a part of that magical night.

Setlist
You Really Got Me
Runaround
Human Being
Up For Breakfast
Bass Solo
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
Poundcake
It's About Time
Drum Solo
Top of the World
Unchained
Why Can't This be Love?
Eagles Fly
Seventh Seal
Best of Both Worlds
Guitar Solo
Dreams
Ain't Talkin' bout Love
Right Now
Encore
Jump
Panama
When It's Love

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - July 15, 1999

In 1999, Bruce Springsteen reunited with the E-Street Band for a world tour after releasing a box set of rarities titled Tracks. Getting tickets to this series of concerts was a pain I never before endured. Originally, only three shows were scheduled that summer at the Continental Airlines Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne) and everyone wanted in.

My wife (at the time) and I marched off to a record store in Morristown and lined up with all the other hopefuls to get a shot at our chance to see Bruce and the band playing with all original members for the first time since 1985. This was just at the cusp of online ticketing becoming the norm, so a lot of people still stood in line to wait for a ticket buying opportunity. Sure, there was charge-by-phone, but this was a guaranteed thing. Get a wristband from the record store, get a ticket. It may not be the best seat in the house, but tickets to at least one show were going to be purchased.

At 10:00 AM on a chilly Saturday morning in March, tickets to the July event went on sale. We were way back in line, the wristband gods not favoring us that day, and we waited…and waited…and waited. After 3 hours, approximately 2 people had gone in for tickets. Apparently there was a glitch with the ticket machine that spread industry wide. The orders were not processing fast enough, thus everyone was forced to wait longer than normal.

Then the first show sold out. We were frightened. When the second sold out, we were nervous. Would we be able to score tickets at all? After standing around for hours, were we doomed to not even have the opportunity to see the show? Quickly, Bruce added more dates, so people continued their tortured waiting. After five hours in line, cold, hungry, and tired, we decided to give up. We’d have to try and get tickets over the phone, or from a scalper on show night. I could endure waiting no more.

Around 9PM that night, we finally scored tickets (over the phone) for two of the last shows scheduled in August. That was fine by me. I had tickets for Bruce and I was happy.

Two days later, I got a call from a friend that worked for Bruce’s touring agency. They had tickets for opening night of the extended New Jersey run and wanted to know if I was interested. Section 110, 3rd row, the closest I’ve ever been to the stage at a concert (except for Meatloaf in PA). Was I interested? Hallelujah! I was getting the good seats.

The day the concert arrived was a funny time in my life. I had just been downsized (RE: Laid Off) from my job, and I was fighting a persistent illness. It felt like the summer flu, but for all I knew, it could have been major depression. The job that let me go was the best one I ever had, and there was no future work lined up. I didn’t even know how to put together a good resume.

The night of the concert I was sick to my stomach. I couldn’t eat, my head was feverish, my body ached, and my stomach was knotted. My wife debated about not going and keeping me home. We could sell the tickets or give them away.

Was she insane? There was no way that I was losing 3rd row tickets to Bruce Springsteen on the opening night of his homecoming during his first full-fledged reunion in almost 15 years. I was going to that concert if it killed me.

My wife drove, as we both had concerns putting me behind the wheel, and I tried to sleep or at least feel decent. We stopped for some food, and when I managed to keep that down, it settled my stomach. I had high hopes for the rest of the night. Perhaps this was a turning point, and I would get through the remainder of the evening unscathed.

In typical Bruce fashion, there was no opening act. At approximately 8:15, Bruce and the band took to the stage to the enormous roar of approval from a sold out arena. “Good evening, New Jersey!” Good evening indeed.

He kicked off the show with a rousing count of “A-one, a-two. A-one, two, three, four!” launching into My Love Will Not Let You Down, one of my favorites from Tracks. I leapt out of my chair alongside everyone else, screamed at the top of my lungs, and burst my applause of approval, clapping thunder through my hands.

And then I sang. Every lyric to the song erupted from my throat. Everything I had endured was worth it, just to be standing there on that night. The Promised Land, Two Hearts, Darkness on the Edge of Town, and Darlington County would follow the opener, meaning that for the first 20 minutes of the show, I didn’t get a chance to breathe, let alone sit. All while battling a 100+ fever. It may not have been the smartest decision that I ever made, but at that moment, I did not care.

The next song was a slow one from Nebraska, which made it a good time for a bathroom break. I headed into the men’s room along with everyone else, and on the way back made sure to get a bottle of water. I was parched, feverish, and sweating.

The rest of the night continued in similar fashion. Bruce kept pounding out the hits, and I kept singing along, not willing to sit down, unable to contain myself. I pressed on like a hockey player forcing through the sickness. This was an incredible night; with seats so amazing I could practically touch Clarence Clemons.

Bruce and the band sounded incredible. Few match the energy they bring to the stage. The song selection on that particular night was fantastic. Hit after hit after hit were played with songs from Tracks being thrown out there as well.

Then, as the opening notes of Bobby Jean filled the arena, the fever/sickness/whatever overtook me, and I collapsed into my seat. My wife looked at me, put a hand on my forehead, and told me we were leaving immediately.

I tried to fight her off. An attempt was made to prove that everything was fine, I just needed a minute to rest, but when I stood up and fell down again, even I had to wonder how much more I had left.

She rationalized that the concert was almost over, and we would be back for two more shows in August. I begrudgingly conceded and we left the show as Bruce continued Bobby Jean. It was the first and only time I left a concert early.

In the parking lot, as we started our long walk to the car, I felt worse than before. Each step I took was like a punch across my entire body. My head was on fire, my feet ached, my lungs wheezed, and everything hurt. My wife had to practically hold me up as we searched the parking lot for our car.

When we arrived at the vehicle, I slumped into the passenger seat, argued about how we shouldn’t be leaving, and passed out. The Mrs. later told me she was worried something serious had happened to me, and if it weren’t for my snoring, she would have taken me to a hospital.

Obviously, I slept well that night, and about three days later, I was back to my old self again. I would see Bruce two more times that summer, and both shows would be amazing, but nothing would compare to that night. I was glad to have fought myself and attended the show, and I was thankful for being able to see what I saw. It would have been nice to have witnessed the complete show, but at that moment, it felt nice to pass out in the car.

Setlist:
My Love Will Not Let You Down
The Promised Land
Two Hearts
Darkness on the Edge of Town
Darlington County
Mansion on the Hill
The River
Youngstown
Murder, Inc.
Badlands
Out in the Street
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Where the Bands Are
Working on the Highway
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Street of Philadelphia
Backstreets
Light of Day
Freehold
Stand On It
Hungry Heart
Born To Run
Bobby Jean (Cousin Ryo is forced to leave)
Thunder Road
If I Should Fall Behind
Land of Hopes and Dreams