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

Rock on

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

After the last Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden misadventure, my son and I headed back to Manhattan yet again to meet my daughter and see The Franchise continue his soon to be record setting run at The World’s Most Famous Arena.

Mr. Joel opened with “Miami 2017” and ran through many of the hits with a well paced set that included a guest appearance by Felix Cavaliere of The Rascals to play “Good Lovin'” and an odd turn with one of the roadies doing his best Brian Johnson impersonation on AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” that the packed house seemed to enjoy somehow as comic relief mostly I suppose.

Billy Joel made several passing mentions of his age (66), and an impending child on the way, as he hobbled around the stage when leaving the safety of his revolving piano. 

A Billy Joel show is nothing groundbreaking; it has become like a Long Island high school reunion- an enjoyable night out, a chance to reminisce, then back to work in the morning.

The Billy Joel residency also has a built in audience of new tourists coming through New York City which will likely keep his monthly appearances at Madison Square Garden going for as long as he’s up for it.

The most amazing thing about these shows is that Mr. Joel’s music has seemed to strike a chord with many younger fans who know all of the words and sing along with Billy the Kid; there is a lot of smiling, hugging, and crowd participation throught the performance making for a happy audience by the end of the night.

Billy Joel has concerts scheduled at Madison Square Garden through December, 2015.

 It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me

GQ

The Who, with recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, play Forest Hills Stadium in Queens tonight with a 7 PM start and 10 PM curfew as the venue sits right in the midst of a residential neighborhood. If the Nassau Coliseum show is any indication Ms. Jett will hit the stage promptly at 7 PM and play a 45 minute set chock full of the hits so arrive early.

The cantankerous Roger Daltry and the now affable Peter Townshend will play a career spanning retrospective over two hours. 

The Who legendarily last played Forest Hills Stadium in July, 1971.

At the Nassau Coliseum show Roger Daltry went on a bit of a tirade, more than once, about someone smoking marijuana near the front of the stage which he said was causing his throat to close up; there are preshow “warnings” that Roger is allergic to smoke and that if you care to oartake you should eat baked goods. Pete good naturedly added that you can also stick them in your a** for a quicker fix. After Daltry threatened to cut the show short if the audience’s bad behavior did not stop, the band continued without further interruption. 

The 50th anniversary tour returns to Madison Square Garden in October.

A Quick One, While He’s Away

Long Live Rock

GQ

The weather is perfect and Billy Idol is playing an outdoor concert on the west side of Manhattan tonight.

It’s a nice day for a white wedding.

Rock on

GQ

When I saw that David Bowie and Trent Reznor were past contributors to the band I could not resist.

“Seeds” is the latest release.

Return to Cookie  Mountain

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GQ

I Love Rock and Roll

GQ

The Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn played a solo acoustic show at New York City’s City Winery Saturday night. I had never seen Bruce Cockburn perform before, and I must admit I am unfamiliar with his music for the most part, but I am open to the new musical experience and with comparisons to  Jackson Browne and others I was at least mildly curious.

Bruce Cockburn played two nights at City Winery with the Saturday night concert only slightly more than half filled.

Mr. Cockburn walked on stage and stood in front of an assortment of  eye-catching guitars and giant chimes on either side of the stage that he would control with foot pedals.

Wearing a lavender short sleeve button down shirt and eyeglasses, the white haired gentleman appeared to be more professorial than rocker.

Bruce Cockburn opened with an acoustic number reminiscent of some of Steve Howe’s best solo work and his  “political” songs reminded me of Jackson Browne if Warren Zevon sang lead. Additionally, Mr. Cockburn’s  acoustic guitar playing style reminded me at times of his Canadian counterpart Neil Young; Bruce is clearly a talented musician.

Bruce Cockburn’s extensive catalog has been encapsulated in a box set; he has recently written a book and kiddingly referred to himself as an “author”.

Cockburn’s upcoming birthday was recognized by some in the audience and the musician seemed to reluctantly acquiesce to blowing out a lone candle after a rousing “Happy Birthday” was sung by the attentive audience.

I found Mr. Cockburn to be an excellent guitarist with intelligent lyrics whose thoughtful work I will have to investigate further.

Wondering Where the Lions Are

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GQ

The Sirius XM studios on 6th Avenue in Manhattan is a pretty cool place to visit if you ever get the opportunity. 

Hoda Kotb of the Today show moderated a Sirius Town Hall with Seth Meyers that proved to be a lot more interesting then I had anticipated. 

Seth Meyers, who is best known for his stint on Saturday Night Live and more recently as the host of Late Night, proved to be down to earth, funny, and charming. I knew of Hoda and Kathi Lee however not much else about Hoda and I found the tall beauty to be an excellent host and very entertaining. 

I was at Sirius because the Town Hall format allows preselected questions from the audience.

I was surprised that I was invited to attend, and even more surprised that  I was allowed to ask my question.

“Seth, who do you miss more- Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, or Eric the Actor?”

My son tells me that when I got to “Eric the Actor” Mr. Meyers chuckled but the question then allowed him to riff on how much he was a fan of the late great, gone too soon, Joan Rivers.

I do not watch a lot of late night talk show television, but when I have caught Seth Meyers on occasionally I have usually found his monologue to be hilarious. He is one funny guy and, while I liked him before, after yesterday I became a big fan.

A surreal moment occurred after the interview as we were on line to take a photo with Seth when Snoop Dogg and his entourage walked through and Snoop shook hands then stopped to take a photograph with Meyers. 

That’s the photo I want.

Who Am I (What’s My Name)?

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GQ

In July, 1979, New Jersey’s own Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes headlined the Dr. Pepper Concerts at Central Park with opening act Rachel Sweet. To this day, you can always count on having a great time at a Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes concert; high energy, rollicking, good time rock and roll. The band has many great songs and the connection with another New Jersey native, Bruce Springsteen, places the Jukes in a unique niche in the history of rock and roll.

I Don’t Want to Go Home

Rock on

GQ