Neil Young & Crazy Horse were still on the “Greendale” tour when they performed at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in March, 2004 where we sat in the orchestra on the left side of the stage. This was an epic evening as the four of us went to the bar Hogs & Heifers in Manhattan after the Young & Crazy portion of the program had concluded. The young lady tending bar berating the legend known as T-Bag to buy her shots was beyond hysterical and the lunacy on the ride home in the T-Bag’s company car got so out of hand I thought the driver was going to leave us on the side of the road on the Long Island Expressway.

Devil’s Sidewalk

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GQ

I had originally listed the date on this Meat Loaf Westbury Music Fair concert for sometime in 2003 but this Saturday, December 7, 2002 date is more likely correct. My buddy Sandy reminds me that he and his lovely wife were sitting opposite my wife and I that evening as the stage was “ in the round” and rotating.
My best memory of seeing Meat Loaf, and my first time, was at St. John’s University. in the gym I believe, when he performed in a wheelchair for most of the show as he was recovering from a broken leg. Out of nowhere, during the encore, Meat Loaf was apparently so fired up by the spirit of rock and roll, he pulled himself up from the wheelchair then dramatically staggered and hobbled about the stage as a latter day rock and roll Frankenstein monster freed from his restraints. We didn’t get the tumblesaults or acrobatics Mr. Loaf had become famous for on that night, but a good time was had by all during this unusual performance at this somewhat unlikely university concert venue.

Bat Out of Hell

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GQ

I have seen Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band many times through the years; however this July, 2003 Giants Stadium concert is not jarring any particular recollections. My wife and I recently saw Bruce and the band at Barclays Center in Brooklyn and we were supposed to travel to Albany but the rescheduled date in April, 2024 was just not working for us so I took the refund.

My father brought home “The River” double album for me when it first came out and it was on my turntable nonstop for awhile. Some of my favorite albums were the double (and sometime triple) album collections when your favorite bands could really stretch out and provide endless artistic sonic explorations. The Clash’s “Sandinista” was one of those albums where the band took you on a musical journey during a particular prolific point in their career. There was no internet or YouTube; you learned about the band through the music and the occasional magazine article. There was a mystery behind the artists with images spun through album covers, liner notes and public relations spins. David Lee Roth was a mythic figure based on the information at our disposal. Bruce Springsteen had not released any new music for awhile due to legal issues drawn out for years, so when it came time to finally release some new music, Bruce gave us a sprawling masterpiece that put him right back on track from where he left off with “Darkness at the Edge of Town”.

Hungry Heart

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GQ

At New Jersey’s PNC Arts Center on a September, 2003 evening I had a seat up close in the left side of the orchestra for Neil Young & Crazy Horse’s performance of “Greendale” (followed by some more familiar tunes). There has probably never been a rock and roll project before, or since, that compares to the Greendale tour which was part concert, part performance art, and parts all things in between. I attended several of the Greendale performances; in New Jersey, I was sitting next to a guy who just did not get it, and I explained to him then that years from now it would be looked back as pure genius. This was most definitely not a “greatest hits” tour, and even many who considered themselves fans of Me. Young left the shows disappointed, or even angry. I loved it as Neil Young, once again, created something completely new and broke through the walls of what might have been anticipated and artistic complacency. Neil Young will reportedly tour outdoor venues in 2024 and according to NYA the details will be coming soon.

Be the Rain

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GQ

I tried to narrow down the date for this summer 2003 Chicago concert at the Jones Beach Theatre but was unsuccessful (so far). Just one of many Chicago concerts I have attended with my wife through the years, she being a lifelong fanatic for the band and their music. Our most recent Chicago concert took place in Atlantic City where the band was filming a soon to be released video with assorted special guests; I will have to admit it was one of their best Chicago performances that I have seen to date. The road warriors play the 2024 summer shed circuit with Earth, Wind and Fire making for always their best double bill and a “must see” for anyone looking for a great night out under the stars.

Chicago Greatest Christmas Hits

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GQ

The Rolling Stones performed throughout New York tri-state area in October, 2002 and it was a roller coaster ride from start to finish (and beyond). I had a ticket to the Giants Stadium show, but on the night of the Madison Square Garden date I decided last minute to travel into NYC with a plan to attempt and “trade” my Giants Stadium ticket for an MSG ticket. It was getting close to showtime and I made my way into the arena to the interior line at the turnstiles where they check your ticket. It was pretty backed up when the Pretenders were heard hitting the stage and the impatient group awaiting entry rushed forward and just stormed passed the ticket taker into the arena- myself included with only my Giants Stadium ticket in hand. Extraordinarily, I managed to enter the Garden to see the Stones without a ticket, which would be unimaginable in the present day environment. Since I still possessed an untouched Rolling Stones ticket for Giants Stadium, I also attended that concert, although I do not have any specific recollections other than being there in New Jersey. The Hartford Civic Center Rolling Stones concert took place on Saturday, October 5, 2002 and for that road trip I was accompanied by my lifelong buddy Eric. We planned ahead to try and stay out of trouble; rented a hotel room walking distance from the arena with no driving required. We got to Hartford early and we made the most of it, hitting the local taverns nearby the venue. The Stones set list that tour was epic, and we were unbelievably all 21 years younger than today, At some point Eric and I got separated during and after the concert and we reconvened back at the hotel room hours later. The chain of events that occurred from the concert on are legendary, and somewhat infamous, but at the end of the day, despite some unfortunate unforeseen circumstances that transpired, things ultimately worked out for me with a little help from my friends.

The Rolling Stones are back on tour in May, 2024; my wife and I will see them at New Orleans Jazz Fest, my daughter and son in law will catch the event at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.

Can’t Find My Way Home

Hackney Diamonds

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GQ

I tried to figure out the exact date my wife and I saw Chicago at Caesars Atlantic City in June, 2002 but was unsuccessful; I think they may have performed three nights at the casino hotel this tour. I have seen Chicago in concert so many times through the years, mostly thanks to my wife’s fandom, that I can’t begin to guess the number, but this one in 2002 just might be my favorite. Table seating with waitress service, and an overnight hotel stay, gave this show a Las Vegas vibe. Chicago generally plays the familiar hits, and does not usually stray to far into their deep catalog, but the band always put on a great performance giving fans their money’s worth. We just saw them once again last month in Atlantic City where they were filming a concert video with special guests, and the band is back on tour throughout the summer of 2024 with Earth, Wind and Fire, who are always one of Chicago’s best collaborators on the shed circuit.

Free

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GQ

My wife and sister in law sat on the right side of the stage at Madison Square Garden for The Who, with opener Robert Plant, on Sunday, August 4, 2002. The legendary rock and roll road warriors played “The World’s Most Famous Arena” on this night, and while I recall that the seats were great, I have seen both artists so many times through the years I do not have any specific recollection of this concert other than it was an excellent night out. The Who has had a few farewell tours since, and their show at Forest Hills Stadium was one of my favorites most recently. Robert Plant has continued to resist a reunion of sorts for what would surely be a lucrative Led Zeppelin tour and he continues to follow his muse creating new projects with a variety of musicians as true artists will do.
On this night in 2002, two of the greatest acts in the history of rock and roll performed on the same stage in New York City; incredible….

Face Dances

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GQ

My buddy Pete hooked up four first row center seats at Westbury Music Fair in the “ half round” for Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. After a nice dinner at Frank’s Steakhouse, we drove to the mostly sold out theatre and witnessed a nice recreation of the legendary Led Zeppelin catalog; thankfully devoid of impersonation. Mr. Bonham is a truly likable guy who played with surviving Led Zep members for the “ Celebration Day” concert reunion. Bonham is about to embark on a summer shed tour with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony and Joe Satriani, which should include a heavy dose of Van Hagar classics on the set list. Last week’s Bonham and Company concert was a great night of hard rock performed by talented professional players, and what more could an old school rock and roll audience possibly ask for in 2023.

In My Time of Dying

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GQ

Bob Dylan is still on the road and he performs at the sold out Kings Theatre in Brooklyn tonight and tomorrow, then the Beacon Theatre on Thursday. I will be heading to Brooklyn tonight and then the recently added date at the Beacon on Thursday. What can you say about Bob Dylan that has not already been said?; his “newer” music is incredible and he just recently did an unannounced Farm Aid set with the Heartbreakers where he he played guitar on several older tunes. I’m looking forward to the concert tonight, which will be a “cell phone free” experience, even though getting there on a weekday night from Long Island will not be an easy task (but quest for legendary live music never ends).

Maybe I will run into Steve Earle again; you never know……

Tough Mama

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GQ