Retro Concert? More, More, More!

As you know old washed up pop stars form decades past can now tour the reunion/nostalgia circuit and do well. I have been a contributor to this biz for the past few years starting when me and some friends took on what was a true wonder, Van Halen. Our hopes for the show ranged from wondering what the hell we were doing going to see a bunch of fifty year olds play songs that at best were 25 years old to being totally amped for some real rock! What we got were all the hits, played with great professionalism and a great time; Hot For Teacher, Runnin' With The Devil, Unchained . . . all were just so damn good to hear live! This experience led to rocking shows like Mötley Crüe, AC/DC, Iron Maiden that did not disappoint; you get to hear all the famous songs and a couple new ones that aren't so bad. There's no sitting around to here one or two songs; they are all good. Recently I went to another one of these shows and bore witness to Billy Idol.

Homeboy delivered a show that back in 1990 would have been a total fantasy. He's still an ass but knows it's his bread and butter. mercifully he didn't play his biggest hit, Cradle of Love which surely caused some folks to be disappointed but I've always hated that song as it's sort of too much of the pop rock. Instead we got his cover of L.A. Woman from the Charmed Life album.
Rock n' roll is a fantasy and these bands are putting on fantasy shows that take us back to a time that is heightened by our own interpretation of the past, our own emotions connected with the music of our youth (unless you're one of those kids being dragged to the show by their parent). Part of me thinks this is sad because Rock is supposed to be young, dirty and dangerous and what we get is the too old to go crazy version. This however is better than what the kids are putting out there today, I mean Neon Trees are supposed to be a rock band but they don't rock and they just sound like a poppier rendition of The Strokes. They are the Cradle of Love to White Wedding. So while the young folks struggle to get it up let the old guys bring it harder!

Hold it! Come to think of reunion shows, my first was back in 1989 when I saw The Who's 25th anniversary show; it was alright, better for the experience than being a fan. There were so many drunk dudes who are my age now there; the circle is complete.