Billy Joel was in good voice tonight for his record tying appearance at Madison Square Garden where he broke into a Monkees medley about halfway through the show. 

I’m a Believer

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GQ

The legendary Van Morrison plays Forest Hills Stadium tonight for what is reportedly his only scheduled North American appearance. 

I’ve seen Van Morrison in concert a few times, and I am a huge fan, but a few years ago at Jones Beach Theater the man showed me something I had never seen before. During the concert on the right side of the stage there was a large digital clock with bright red numbers that counted up from zero to an hour and a half exactly when the night’s last song had ended and at which time the eccentric Van walked off stage withnot as much as a goodnight. This still ranks as one of the oddest things I’ve ever seen at a concert. 

Mr. Morrison could not have left the venue faster if the building was on fire. 

Whether the hour and a half performance was what the contract called for or just his own quirky twist on the evening, it left a strange vibe hanging over an audience who were clearly enjoying one of the great artists of our time.

If you do attend tonight’s performance, you can likely set your watch, or I-phone, from the time Van Morrison and his band hit the stage.

In any event, from the looks of it, it will be a marvelous night for a moon dance in Forest Hills tonight.

Real Real Gone

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GQ

I do not consider myself to be a movie reviewer but the film Love and Mercy about Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys is brilliant. The story of Brian Wilson as the tortured musical genius would be hard to believe if it were not true and it makes for a riveting cinematic rock and roll journey worthy of numerous Academy Award considerations. 

Good Vibrations

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GQ

Peter Cetera is one of the founding members of the band Chicago. At some point the bad blood between him and the band got so bad that when Peter Cetera came out with a solo greatest hits collection, Cetera had to re-record his great Chicago hits because the band would not authorize his using the originals for the compilation. Perhaps if the band Chicago gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where they rightfully belong, Petra Cetera and Chicago can reunite for one last go round.

In the meantime, Chicago tours at an extraordinary pace year after year, this summer with Earth, Wind and Fire, and Mr. Cetera plays tonight in the half round at Westbury Music Fair.

Saturday in the Park

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GQ

The Dave Matthews Band plays two sets at the sold out Nikon at Jones Beach Theater and the unofficial start of the rock and roll summer concert season on Long Island begins tonight.

The Best of What’s Around

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GQ

Part if the reason that I attend so many rock concerts is the quest for nights like this one. Every once in awhile something special or unexpected happens; sometimes the audience and the performer connect for an extraordinary confirmation of the power and glory of rock and roll.

Forest Hills Stadium is a unique venue- a medium size amphitheater in the middle of a residential neighborhood that mandates a 10 PM curfew. Opening act Joan Jett & the Blackhearts hit the stage at 7 PM.

This was the last night of the first leg of The Who’s 50th anniversary tour. There was a communal feel to the mostly mature crowd and after Joan  Jett & the Blackhearts finished their 45 minute set in predominate sunshine on a perfect evening, The Who hit the stage and played a greatest hits set that had the crowd on its feet for the entire night. 

The Who last played Forest Hills Stadium in 1971 and there was a buzz in the air that this would not be a run of the mill Saturday evening. While beer vendors wearing Heinekin back packs poured enumerable $9 beers into tiny plastic cups, The Who played hit after hit in front of state of the art video images. Roger Daltry defies age and is in great voice at the moment and Pete Townshend appears to be really enjoying what is advertised to be the band’s last full scale tour.

Due to time restrictions, The Who cut out “A Quick One While He’s Away” from the concert and it seemingly tightened the set up to where there were no lulls in the action. At 10 PM the band looked as if they were enjoying themselves so much that you believed they may have played one more song for the ecstatic audience if not for a curfew; Daltry looked at his wrist watch and said goodnight for the triumphant players.

For me, this was the best Who performance since John Entwhistle passed away 13 years ago. A rollicking good time was had by all and if this was the last go round, what a way to go!

You Better, You Bet

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GQ

The great Ian Hunter & The Rant Band will return to City Winery in New York City tonight. 

Sweet Jane

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GQ