Concert Reviews

VAN HALEN CONCERT @ the Palace of Auburn Hills October 22, 2007 The 1st time I heard Van Halen was the summer of 79. I was walking to Wildwood Park and Wayne Carson rolled up on his bike and made me listen to the entire Van Halen (1) tape. I was impressed as hell. Tonight, I am still that impressed. I had such a good time at the show, and as I told my friend Becky after Eddie’s guitar solo, I had quite a hard -on!!! The set list was the same as in the paper … so those who care already know what they were playing. DLR was a hoot … trying to do all of his old spins and high kicks and not making it, but not looking like a total ass. His voice was still good. Poor overweight Wolfie got pelted in the face while walking the circular stage with a t-shirt. He played bass just fine, by the way. Alex was always enjoyable, and Michael Anthony was really missed. He has such a great high voice, and at the beginning of the show, you could really hear MA’s absence. The stage was simple, with a center pit filled with man-child die hard fans. They had a VH blimp flying around before and after the 1st and last songs. Eddie, love of my teenage girl life, still rocked the house with his replaced hip and all. Shirtless, looking decent for an old guy, he was jumping around and having a blast, and totally loving it that his son was on stage with him. Eddie played the loudest, most fucking awesome guitar solo I’ve ever heard live in concert, and yes, I have seen Pete Townsend, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimmy Page, Geddy Lee, Joe Perry, and just about every worthy guitar player in my lifetime play… Eddie was awesome, so much more into it than when I seen him in 1986 and 2005. The Palace was filled with a silent crowd in literal awe at his solo. I watched the men on the main floor just jump for joy and play air guitar, do the Wayne’s World “I’m not worthy” bow, and clap and head bang like they were 17 again. It was such a beautiful thing to see. The Palace was such a sausage fest - I never waited in line for a bathroom, that was how few chics were there. But it was great, great, great, and I’m so glad I had my crappy seats, and that it only took me 15 minutes to get home!!! The end was the best, Dave was waiving a huge banner in an eerie light, the disco ball was kicking light everywhere, and they released tons of that cool shiny thick confetti and the entire stadium lit up like it was New Years in NY while they played Jump. It was such a nice moment in my life, and I’m glad I waited 23 years to see them play together. I love VH so much!!!! My heart is happy tonight my friends …. THE POLICE CONCERT @ The Palace of Auburn Hills  July 18, 2007 I have to start off with the fact that I love live music and I just love concerts. I especially loved this one because this band was the first band I ever “discovered” on my own. (Van Halen came next by 8th grade.) I’ve loved the Police since 6th grade. Synchronicity was the first album I ever bought, and their greatest hits was the first cd I ever bought (Aug 87 to date myself.) Growing up, my mother listened to the greatest music, so I knew all of the great bands by the time I was 6. But The Police were magical … their lyrics made me think. I had to look up so many of their lyrics in my dictionary … and they have that great sound. That concert was full of middle-aged fan; at 36 I was one of the youngest. Not a soul sat in their seat for the entire 2 hour show, and I rarely see that at concerts these days at the Palace. Simple stage, and every seat behind it was full. Sting looked fabulous but more importantly sounded great. Hit all his notes. Still hot in an old guy way. Stu had an impressive time playing many funky percussion instruments and I dare say he was in the league of Geddy Lee (Rush, if you are a chic or someone under the age of 30.) Andy looked drunk and had a great time playing guitar. They just had so much fun up there and it sounded like it. Plus they played a lot of songs from their earlier albums, which was nice; it was a fans concert for sure. To put in into perspective for those of you who actually know me, my husband, who HATES concerts (Due to asshole fans, it’s a work thing) actually ENJOYED himself. Arthritis makes it impossible for me to head bang or dance crazy anymore, but I had the best time screaming my guts out, clapping and semi-dancing all night long. It was definately worth the $480 we spent on those tickets.