Concert Review: AC/DC Rocks Philadelphia

9/20/16:  AC/DC-Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

MY hApPY place since forever! AC/DC anywhere..

The Players:  With the sudden implosion of Brian Johnson, and with his future in doubt, the band enlisted Guns N Roses singer Axl Rose. Although never a fan of the man, I felt he was the most lean and mean Rockin’ vocal machine that I’ve seen of late. My proclaimed “Hardest working frontman’ in Rock N Roll” was really on his game energy wise and kudos for the band to realize his range is better suited to Bon Scott era songs versus the Brian Johnson era. I appreciated the efforts of all these accomplished musicians including veteran drummer and previous one time AC/DC drummer, Chris Slade, Cliff Williams and the recently added Stevie Young, nephew of Angus and the retired Malcolm Young. ALL the players looked to be rockin’ and having a good time in a cohesive effort.  A 

Angus Young: "LOCK up your daughters.." (like my T-Shirt says)* He was ON his game with energy and maintaining the riff of legend! His guitar solo on Let There Be Rock’ brought the power and precision that has made him legend! He kept his shirt on (like every 61 year old man should), He did not pull his schoolboy shorts down (like every 61 year old schoolboy shouldn’t) and he maintained the energy with twirling, skipping and picking like no other before, during or after him! A++++

Setlist:  ALL my favorite songs, ALL in a row! Opening with Title track from Rock Or Bust after a sizzling, revving asteroid through AC/DC galaxies not so far away! 

Shoot to Thrill shot me out of my chair with both arms pounding imaginary drums alternating with my favorite air guitar Gibson! Wow! Bon Scott reincarnated began with Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Rock N Roll Damnation and my all time fave, High Voltage! AC/DC 1980’s classics Given The Dog A Bone, an all time fave for my IPOD listening pleasure, Back In Black, You Shook Me All Night Long  and Thunderstruck added some hit power for Brian Johnson partisans for sure! I was beyond Rock N Roll heaven cloud nine with If You Want Blood (You Got It), Live Wire, Sin City, T.N.T. and Whole Lotta Rosie!  I could have been robbed at gunpoint…and barely noticed?? (NO ideas please)*

Encore Sensory overload! Featuring an Axl and Angus powered Highway To Hell, Riff Raff, Problem Child and For Those About To Rock’ (We Salute You), sent a less than packed auditorium away floating on air, hoping it’s not the end of an era!  A+++++++

Concert Review: Steven Tyler Out On A Limb' solo Tour

Steven Tyler-Tower Theater Philadelphia 9/7/16

"The man, The Legend' continues to bring IT in present day!"

 Steven Tyler is unstoppable! His boundless energy, master showmanship and audience engagement proved once again why he IS the straw that stirs the Aerosmith drink!"

Going way out "on a limb," uncharted territory, recording his first ever Country music album, Tyler has enlisted a young and vibrant group of musicians to showcase a timeless, ageless yet present body of work.

THE SETLIST:  Ok, a very youthful, creative and expressive frontman grabbed a hold of his signature microphone stand featuring his trademark Joplin' scarf and let out his signature "wail" to Sweet Emotion! I became locked in my 1975 Toys In The Attic' Time machine for which I did not want to return!

Tyler would pay homage to the Rock generals before him! A proud still shot of a young Tyler with Mick Jagger on the stage jumbo screen and slamming into a Beatles set that included I'm Down and Come Together, a track remade by Aerosmith for the 1978 Motion Picture Soundtrack of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band was stellar. Piece Of My Heart, made famous by Janis Joplin was a rocking bonus!

Tyler featured tracks from his new Country release including We're All Somebody From Somewhere that incorporated very cool jumbo screen lyrics graphics, Love Is Your Name and My Own Worst Enemy. Tyler, the colorful storyteller for his music was very effective describing his writing and stories leading up to the foundation of Aerosmith. Still shots of Joe Perry and a youthful Tyler mowing the lawn in a speedo best described household chores growing up in New Hampshire and a chance meeting with Perry before a bar gig.
Other masterful renditions of the classics including Cryin', Dream On, Walk This Way and a Train Kept A Rollin' encore finale would shape and round out the set list to the pure enjoyment and participation of the sold out Tower Theater audience!  A++++

THE AUDIENCE: Enthusiastic! Energetic! Gracious to patrons around them! A well behaved yet rowdy group of music enthusiasts. From 17 to 70, a packed house was well entertained and happy! A+

FINAL THOUGHTS: As a hardcore enthusiast of the man and his band since my carefree summer days as a 1970's teenager, I am totally convinced Steven Tyler will ROCK til he drops! He promised that in his storytelling to a very enthusiastic, eager audience. My favorite Tyler music is the (First) Aerosmith LP, the 1973 beginning of the road effort. My favorite tracks since 1973 are Mama Kin, Somebody, Walkin' The dOG, One Way Street (great blues prowess) and the Tyler penned Dream On!  Tyler's boundless energy and star power, youthful look and songwriting creative' make him a relevant and needed entertainment icon and for years to come! Well worth the $ I paid..and would pay again! A++++