Even though most of us are familiar with the success of Whitesnake during the mid to late 1980's, the roots of Whitesnake trace back to the late 70's. Singer David Coverdale had been lead vocalist for Deep Purple since 1973 after answering an ad for auditions searching for a replacement for DP vocalist Ian Gillan. Coverdale had been with a local British band that had supported Deep Purple on tour in the past so all parties knew each other and he got the job. Unfortunately, Deep Purple members Ian Paice and Jon Lord would abruptly end the band in 1976, while at the same time Coverdale handed in a tearful resignation, each side cancelling each other out and leaving Coverdale at square one.
Not to be left idle, Coverdale began a budding solo career and assembled a group of players to back him up known back then as The White Snake Band. Two solo albums would be released; White Snake in 1977 and Northwinds in 1978. Later in '78 he and his band would unite as one to simply be called Whitesnake, release an EP titled Snakebite, then their first full length album Trouble. The lineup of Whitesnake at this time consisted of Coverdale, guitar duo Micky Moody and Bernie Marsden, Bassist Neil Murray, former Deep Purple bandmate Jon Lord on keyboards, and Dave Dowle on drums.
Whitesnake 1978. From left: Neil Murray, Bernie Marsden, David Coverdale, Micky Moody, Jon Lord, Dave Dowle
The playing on Trouble is World Class. Elements of Hard Rock, R & B/Soul, Funk, Latin, and Jazz are fused together incredibly to make, in my humble opinion, a landmark 70's Rock album. Standout tracks include Take Me With You, Lie Down (A Modern Love Song), Nighthawk (Vampire Blues), Belgian Tom's Hat Trick (instrumental), Free Flight, and not to be left out is a stellar cover of The Beatles' Day Tripper. The original, released as a single in 1965, is a great melodic pop rock song with a hooky guitar and classic Beatles vocal harmonies. Coverdale and Co. slow the tempo slightly and add a heap of bellbottom swagger. They kick it off with a syncopated funk drum beat first, then the guitars and bass come in unison with the hook. DC's vocals are what you'd expect, but its the Talkbox that ices the cake. Pure funk throughout! For a song that's been covered and sampled all or in part countless times, this version is one of the best. If you have never treated yourself to this era of Whitesnake, I invite you to do so. I myself did not discover it until the 80's era had long gone. The material on these early albums holds up, with many of the songs still in the band's live set.
As luck would have it, this line up would not remain intact forever. Drummer Dave Dowle would depart first after another year or two, with the rest dropping off slowly into the next decade with David Coverdale remaining the sole proprietor. The band has had over 35 members since its incarnation. Whitesnake toured through the Summer and Fall of 2013 while also releasing a box set titled Little Box o' Snakes which contains remastered versions of their first 5 studio albums, 2 live albums and the Snakebite EP. Cheers!!
"When we find a hot town that's full of hot people, we know that makes a hot crowd. And a hot crowd makes a hot live album so we're doin' one here tonight!" - Michael Lee Smith
And they did just that. They made 'Live In Louisville'. Only to have it released years later. A mystery to me. It seems the stage was set. March 1978. Legend had it they played 2 nights at the venue known then as Municipal Auditorium, a popular concert stop during the 60's and 70's that sits a mere 2 right hand turns off the Interstate 65 corridor. It played host to many bands in those days including The Rolling Stones and KISS. The first night was for rehearsal, the second night was recorded and also broadcast live over WLRS, the local rock station. Tickets were sold for $1.02, a play on the radio station's frequency numbers:102.3.
Starz were touring in support of their self-produced third album 'Attention Shoppers!' released in January of that year. This would be the last studio album to feature the original lineup of Michael Lee Smith on vocals, Richie Ranno and Brendan Harkin on guitars, Pete Sweval on bass, and Joe X. Dube on drums. The setlist was slightly over 1/3 from 'Attention Shoppers' and equal parts from their self titled '76 debut and 'Violation' released in 1977.
Photo courtesy of Susan Mayhugh. Used by permission.
The band opened the set with 'She' off of the then current album and worked back chronologically with 'Rock Six Times' and 'Subway Terror'. The next dozen plus songs are a joyride of fun power pop metal that critics in those days simply found too low brow and thus treated the band as such. Many highlights for me in this set include 'Cool One', a rockin' boogie that sings the praise of a girl and some uninhibited fun at a movie theater. The slightly punk 'X-Ray Specs' is one many tracks that showcase the seamless guitar duo of Ranno and Harkin. Bassist Pete Sweval adds a very cool "fuzzbox" type effect to many songs. 'Anyway That You Want It' is a sweet, melodic mid tempo pop song that leads right into the bands sole Top 40 hit 'Cherry Baby'.
Photo courtesy of Susan Mayhugh. Used by permission.
An absolute pinnacle on the recording is 'Waitin' On You'. A classic 70's riff driven extended jam that showcases the Richie Ranno/Brendan Harkin guitar team as well as the tight rhythm section of Pete Sweval and Joe X. Dube. Midway through the track they go into 'Worlds Greatest Guitar Riffs' which could be best described as a micro-medley of Mountain's 'Missippi Queen', 'Satisfaction' by The Rolling Stones, The Kinks 'You Really Got Me', and 'Oh, Pretty Woman' from Roy Orbison. From there they go into quick guitar jam of 'Coliseum Rock' (forthcoming album), then back into 'Waitin' On You'.
Encore numbers include a lamenting blues number 'Pull The Plug' inspired by actual euthanasia cases in the news during that time. 'Boys In Action', a rocker from their debut album is next, followed by a rousing version of the rhythm and blues standard ( Get Your Kicks On ) Route 66. Closing the album but absent from the track list is a song called 'Piss Party'. You'll just have to buy the album for that one!
Unless you were able to get a copy of the recorded broadcast, this album wouldn't be released in its entirety until 2000. That, to me, is a shame because it would've rivaled any of the classic double live albums from that era.
Brendan Harkin and Pete Sweval would depart soon after this, and by 1980 Starz would call it quits. They would however reform a number of times over the years and still continue to play concerts to this day.
Photo courtesy of Susan Mayhugh. Used by permission.
Very special Thanks to Susan Mayhugh for the use of her photos and her contributions to this article. She is a dedicated Starz fan and an attendee of the Live In Louisville shows.
To coincide with our Roth era of Van Halen episode, I thought I would go back and take a look at what may have been a Top 5, maybe even a Top 3 concert for me and that was back on February 18, 2012 when Van Halen kicked off their 'A Different Kind Of Truth' tour here in Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center. I must say that this was just the kind of event that we Louisvillians were hoping for when the new downtown arena was built. The weeks leading up to the show were full of anticipation. For one, I had not yet seen Van Halen with David Lee Roth live. I missed the Indy date on the '07 tour, so with that in mind alone, there was no stopping me from attending this show. No asking Momma for permission. No excuses.
Also prior to the show was obviously the release of the single "Tattoo" from the forthcoming album. This song did absolutely nothing for me. "Just wait for the album". Thats what I told myself and everyone I knew that heard the song and said "what the fuck???". So when the album was released I was able to exhale. I thought the album as a whole was great. Great songs. Great playing. The anticipation continued to build.
Finally. Day of show. And a Saturday night no less. See, usually here in Louisville rock shows are always on a Tuesday night or Thursday night. If your lucky, maybe Sunday. So this was cherry. That evening me and 3 buddies met for beers and dinner then it was time.
Kool & The Gang opened the evening. Now I know there was much speculation and a lot of criticism by a lot of fans about this but when they took the stage the crowd was up on its feet and having a good time. They opened their set with 'Fresh' and plowed on for a solid 50 minutes of material that included 'Too Hot', 'Hollywood Swingin', 'Jungle Boogie', 'Ladies Night' and 'Get Down On It'. As you might think, they closed with 'Celebration'. The band was tight and completely dialed in and they sounded great. They went on, knocked it out, and by then we were all ready for what was to come.
After what seemed like an eternity I saw Alex Van Halen come up to his kit and sat down. Simultaneously as he began to go around the drums the house lights and music went out, spotlights and strobes began lighting up on stage and guitar, bass and drums crescendoed together and for the next couple of hours I forgot about every problem, every ache and pain, wife, kids, you name it. Undeniable.
I couldn't have picked a better setlist. The crescendo stopped and Eddie went straight away into 'You Really Got Me' followed by 'Runnin With The Devil'. From there it was a balls out train ride of classics and songs off 'A Different Kind Of Truth'. I know people bitch about Diamond Dave not singing that well anymore and Eddie is noticeably slower on stage, but does it really matter? For magic was happening on stage. A standout moment in the show was two deep cuts back to back. 'Women In Love' which they had not played since 1980 and 'Outta Love Again' which hadnt been played since 1979. I nearly tore my clothes off when the intro to Outta Love started. Dead serious.
Two things I didnt like about the show: Eddie's solo was near the end of the concert, and, that it had to end at all. It was simply that good. Near flawless. Dave was Dave. Eddie played and sounded awesome.Alex and Wolfgang followed suit and a soldout crowd let them know that for 2 hours we were theirs and they were ours. Complete setlist as follows:
You Really Got Me
Runnin With The Devil
She's The Woman
Romeo Delight
Tattoo
Everybody Wants Some
Somebody Get Me A Doctor
China Town
Mean Street
Pretty Woman
Alex Solo
Unchained
The Trouble With Never
Dance The Night Away
I'll Wait
Hot For Teacher
Women In Love
Outta Love Again
Beautiful Girls
Ice Cream Man
Panama
Eddie Solo
Ain't Talkin About Love
Jump
Bride is a Christian metal band formed in Louisville in 1983 by brothers Dale (vocals) and Troy (guitar) Thompson. They signed a record deal in 1986 and recorded 3 albums through 1989. The bands first albums were not widely received by the Christian metal audience. Disenchanted, vocalist Dale Thompson went to California to possibly pursue a more secular mainstream career. It was there he met up with former W.A.S.P. bassist Rik Fox and contributed to Fox's Thunderball project.
Reinspired, he returned to Kentucky and Bride began a more bluesy approach to sound. They signed with major label Star Song and released Kinetic Faith in 1991. This album, along with Snakes In The Playground (1992) and Scarecrow Messiah (1994) are some of the bands best work. This trio of albums netted Bride 4 Dove Awards by the Gospel Music Association. I have not one, but two personal favorites off of Kinetic that simply must be listened to at full volume. Whatever your particular slant on religion is, these songs are undeniable.
General Robert E. Lee said “What a cruel thing war is….to
fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors”. Bullshit! The
Bible says to “ Love thy neighbor as thyself”. How can you with low self esteem
being what it is? I have some issues with one of my neighbors. They have a dog,
a Chow named Teddy that barks constantly. They have had the dog for over five
years and it will still charge the fence and growl and snap as if we were total
strangers. They park their cars in front of my house, when all they have to do
is back up 20 feet and park in front of their own house. A little simple common
courtesy goes along way. As you can see, I am gearing up to celebrate National
Good Neighbor Day on September 28th.
National Good Neighbor Day is a simple little holiday.
Unlike the huge commercialized holidays that we all love and hate, National
Good Neighbor Day is where we , the pillars in our communities, attempt to
strengthen the social fabric by doing an act of kindness or showing an
expression of friendship to those who live near us.
The origins of Good Neighbor Day date back to the early
1970’s when a Montana woman wanted to create a day to celebrate the
significance of good neighbors. She was backed by her State and local
politicians as well as former Presidents Nixon, Carter, and Reagan. Up until
2003 it was held on the fourth Sunday of September before being made a national
holiday that same year. Here are some suggestions for celebrating National Good
Neighbor Day:
1. Help your neighbor.
2. Offer a smile and friendly hello.
3. Have your neighbor over for a meal.
4. Hold a block party.
5. Get to know your neighbor better.
6. CRANK UP SOME UGLY KID JOE!!
Lets go with 6!!
Specifically, lets crank the track "Neighbor" from the bands 1992 album "America's Least Wanted".
"America's Least Wanted" was released in the Fall of 1992. "Neighbor" is one of three charting singles on the album. The album itself reached #27 in the US and #11 in the UK while the single topped out at #29 and #28. The initial pressing had cover art which some retailers found offensive, thus garnering a censored version. Critically, it was either loved or hated.
The band produced the album along with Mark Dodson, who has worked with Anthrax, Ozzy and Metal Church. Special guests include Judas Priest front man Rob Halford on background vocals, Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins lending a hand on percussion, Carrie Hamilton; daughter of comedienne Carol Burnett, on piano. Laying down some extra rhythm guitar is Dean Pleasants from Suicidal Tendencies and the Jessica Simpson Band. After the albums release, Ugly Kid Joe toured with Ozzy and Def Leppard as well as headlining a sold out tour of Australia and Japan.
Ugly Kid Joe disbanded in 1997 but over the course of the last several years they have churned a slow grinder of reuniting and released an EP in the summer of 2012.
I suppose the right thing to do this September 28th or any day is to try to be a good neighbor because in return, your neighbor just may return the gesture.
See this photo? This is the one that started it. The infamous grudge. The legendary feud. The internal tensions. The rumours. Do you know what Don Dokken and George Lynch disagree about? Business. That's it. Business. For Don Dokken there can never be enough zeros on a check made out to him. George Lynch simply doesn't feel that way. But the image on this magazine cover launched a lifetime of discussion and debate on just what is between these guys. Chalk up a Lifetime Achievement Award for Bad Press.
Dokken formed in the late 1970's. The original lineup played the club scene in Los Angeles. Don Dokken went to Germany to lay down background vocals on the Scorpions "Blackout" album and was able to get a record deal through the manager of the band Accept. "Breaking The Chains" was released shortly thereafter and the famous 1980's lineup of Dokken, George Lynch, Mick Brown, and Jeff Pilson was put together.
Through the 80's Dokken would release three more successful albums: "Tooth and Nail", "Under Lock and Key", and "Back For The Attack" before disbanding in 1989. George Lynch would form Lynch Mob and Don Dokken released his own solo album in 1990 entitled "Up From The Ashes". In 1993 he wrote and recorded another solo album but after being lured into a deal with Columbia if he would reunite with Lynch, the "Dysfunctional" album was released under the Dokken name in 1995. Columbia Records and fans worldwide had their Dokken back.
"Dysfunctional" entered the chart in the Top 50 and has sold just under half a million copies. I personally feel this is strong album from an 80's band given it was recorded and released in the Grunge era. It has classic Dokken sound with hints of sounds current of that time which may remind you of King's X.
I got see Dokken perform while on tour supporting this album at the infamous Toy Tiger here in Louisville. One thing that still stands out in my mind is the buzz, the energy going through the capacity crowd in anticipation of George Lynch taking the stage. It was as if the rest of the band was an afterthought. The show was incredible. The Toy Tiger has since been torn down and is now a Thornton's gas station.
The next two years would be the last for the George/Don nucleus. Lynch would leave the band again after the release of 1997's "Shadowlife". In the years ahead, longtime bassist Jeff Pilson would leave for good and drummer "Wild" Mick Brown would come and go depending on what he was working on. Currently, former Dokken attorney Jon Levin fills the guitar slot and does so quite well.
Despite rumors that surface from time to time, it's doubtful that a reunion will take place. Dokken continues to release albums and tour regularly and George Lynch always seems to have a handful of projects in the works. But maybe someday....
Just imagine this.....a winding backroad, the early evening sun
warm on your face, the wind blowing in through the open T-tops of your Trans Am, a summertime girl riding shotgun (Cheryl Tiegs, Farah Fawcett), an ice cold Point Special between your legs ( that one's for you Aaron Camaro.), and your Journey Evolution tape in the tape deck. 8 track or cassette. Your choice. What happened to those summers? Last summer I took my 14 year old son to see Journey at The Kentucky State Fair. I think he recorded the entire show on his phone. But that night, that audience was full of fans with memories very similar to what I just described. A car, a girl, that warm sun. And Journey. Then evolution happened. They evolved. And Journey with them. With us.
Journey's Evolution album, though their fifth studio album, is the second in a trilogy of pre-"Escape" era studio albums. The band had survived many changes thus far and as we all know, many more would come. Evolution is the first Journey album to feature former Montrose drummer Steve Smith and they would also receive their first Top 20 hit with "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'". After its release on April 1979, the band embarked on a summer tour through parts of Europe, Japan, and The United States with a five night run in Chicago and a three night stand in Detroit. It has sold over 3 million copies.
This album, like Infinity and Departure, are absolutely solid rock albums. However, I do take one small issue and that is with the the first two tracks. "Majestic", the opener, I have never liked. It's a brief instrumental that sort of builds briefly then stops. "Too Late", a soft rocker, more or less opens the album. Don't get me wrong. I like the song, just not where it is in the track sequence. Next comes "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'". Over 30 years later and still in regular rotation on Classic Rock Radio. "City Of Angels" is a mid tempo song with the chorus being heavily layered with background vocals, which is a signature of producer Roy Thomas Baker, who also produced records for Queen and The Cars. "When Your Alone" has a great acoustic/electric guitar riff. A slow tempo, soulful vocals by Steve Perry, and a classic "Neal" solo and lead out are featured on "Sweet And Simple". "Loving You Is Easy" is a shuffling rocker and like "City Of Angels", I tend to skip more often than not. Another radio staple; "Just The Same Way" features keyboardist at the time and co-founding member Gregg Rollie sharing lead vocals with Steve Perry. The next track took years to grow on me but finally did. "Do You Recall" just seemed overly melodic. Almost forced. Then I simply gave in to the hooky chorus. What can you do, right? The bands early prog rock roots peak out a little bit on "Daydream" and the album closes with my favorite track "Lady Luck". To me, this is the best song on Evolution. It's totally driven by the organ and guitar, just great 70's style hard rock.
It was around this same time that band manager Herbie Herbert along with band members would form a company called Nocturne that would go on to develop or "evolve" stage and concert production. Neal Schon sold his share in 2008. Simultaneously, material from the bands early Perry albums were used by a company launching what we now call elevator music. Basically, their music was pumped into restaurants and shopping malls up and down the west coast driving album sales and royalties.
From 1979, Journey would go on a triumphant run for the next half dozen years releasing 4 more studio albums and one live album. Jonathan Cain would replace keyboardist Gregg Rollie in 1980. Ross Valory and Steve Smith would be dismissed in 1985. Steve Perry would jump ship the following year. In all, Journey has logged some 20 total members since its inception.
In my opinion, Journey is synonymous with evolution. They have gone through a process that has changed them, made them more complex, made them better. Classic Perry-era Journey is synonymous with summer. The summer of a simpler, easier time. Its undeniable. Songs of young life and young love. Melodic anthems you will sing forever even as we change and evolve.
Saints of The Underground released their CD "Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner" in 2008 on Warrior Records. The band started when the four members got together to bang out cover songs in their spare time. The Saints are as follows: Ohio native John K. Oswald on vocals, Huntington Beach bum Kenneth Fear, Jr. on guitar, Pennsylvanian drummer Robert J. Blotzer and Hollywood's own Robert Crane on bass. Their debut release is a great mix of melodic, slightly bluesy originals with a couple covers thrown in for fun. Pick it up, put it on, close your eyes and enjoy. Until next........wait. What? Just kidding. Let's try again.
The first paragraph is true. But lets crunch some data on the band members and who we know them as. Former Vince Neil, RATT and current Lynch Mob bassist Robbie Crane, RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer, guitar player Keri Kelli, who has played for everyone under the sun including but not limited to Alice Cooper. And last but certainly not least on vocals, the late Jani Lane.
The term "supergroup" dates back to the 60's with the formation of Crosby, Still & Nash. Surprisingly, many bands we have known and loved through the years are actually "supergroups". By loose definition that would mean "a group whose performers are already famous from being in previous bands". Cream, Led Zeppelin and Journey are examples of "supergroups" in the classic rock genre. Blue Murder and Badlands from the 80's metal era and recent hitmakers Velvet Revolver are "supergroups" as well. I'm rambling.
"Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner" to some may just have been a project but this band is by all accounts a supergroup. The four members have a combined 115 years experience in the business. Keri Kelli has upwards of 75 album credits for playing, producing, etc.. Bobby Blotzer and Robbie Crane seem to continue to be active in their current duties. And our beloved former Warrant frontman Jani Lane stands on his own postumously and is sorely missed. This CD, in my humble opinion, is simply a representation of four guys who are outstanding at what they do, come together and make music. Before I forget, Quiet Riot and House Of Lords bassist Chuck Wright added some playing to the CD and Andy Johns mixed it. If Andy Johns doesn't ice the cake, I don't know what does.
The tracks are a blend of original material, recycled side project songs, and covers. The last track "Jimmy" is an old unreleased ( I think) Warrant tune. The songs are mostly guitar driven with either melodic anthemic riff or a dark groove. The cover of "American Girl" by Tom Petty is solid but by-the-numbers. One of my favorites but less liked by critics is their cover of The Stones' "Moonlight Mile". I'm not even a Stones fan, but something about Jani's vocal draws me to the song everytime. It's impossible to sit and listen to this CD now without wondering what could've come afterward. All in all this a great release by a super group. Now...pick it up, put it on, turn it up and close your eyes.
