Friday, August 21, 2009

Wow!

That's the only word that needs to be said. Not that I can say a whole lot more this morning. I'm hoarse. I think I strained the old vocal cords last night.

Four decades. With that much time together, your act should be honed to perfection. And it was. Now, I've seen some acts that were pretty memorable in my time. The Who. Neil Young. Elvis Presley. I've seen some pretty theatrical performances. The Tubes. Blue Man Group. And I've been around a while - I saw my first concert (Neil Young at the Forum in L.A. in 1972). But, this was the *best* all around musical performance I've ever seen.

Sure - the venue helped. We were within 20 feet of the stage. Standing for 4 hours really sucked, but once the little band from Texas made it out on stage, who cared? LOUD! And ROCKIN'! It was apparent from the very start that despite playing the same songs night in and night out for 40 years - they still LOVE what they do. They were smiling. They engaged the crowd. Bottom line was they were enjoying themselves on the stage. It was apparent from the git go that they do what they love and love what they do.

To be honest, except for Billy Gibbons, the musical talent isn't epic (Dusty Hill isn't John Entwistle (yes - I've seen The Who), and Frank Beard isn't even in the same category as Zack Starkey (who? can anyone tell me?)), but the three of them have been together for so long that together they work seamlessly. They are so tight that when Beard and Hill stop so Gibbons can showcase his guitar talent, the cuts are exact and perfect. And the starts are the same. The show works. The music rocks. And these guys are classic together.

I have a few photos to share. Sorry for the bad quality, but they snagged my camera on the way in (I did get it back later), so once again, I had to rely on the iPhone:





Bottom line? I'm kinda of glad that Aerosmith had to cancel. I'm not sure that the same energy would come across at a larger venue like the Verizon amphitheater. But, in a small venue (HOB has a max capacity of 2300) these guys are *the best* overall show that I've ever seen. I'd plop down another C note to see these guy tonight at HOB Hollywood if my wife would let me!

Oh - and my boys now know I am strange. From starting the "ZZ Top" chant with the crowd to yelling and screaming at the top of my lungs to the Sharp Dressed Man sing along, I couldn't help but notice that they kept staring as the night progressed. Yes boys - the Old Man knows how to rock and have a good time!

10 comments:

  1. How fun! That's pretty amazing that that was the best performance you've ever seen. Oh, and it's good to shake up the kids once in a while.

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  2. Those are great photos, especially considering they're from a phone. Good thing the door people aren't collecting everyone's camera phones on the way in!

    Glad you had a great time. Rest the voice.

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  3. Glad you had such a great time! Looks like fun. :)

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  4. Your description is very good. It sounds like a great show!

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  5. Those are great photos. You got a really good spot. HOB is tough to get up front like that sometimes. Once you get up there you are stuck.

    ZZ Top rules.

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  6. Ditto on what everyone already said about the pictures! Great!

    That's the only thing about HOB, is all the standing, but it's worth it for a band like ZZ Top!

    I hope your sons will appreciate your coolness at some point! LOL. After all, how many dads would take their sons to a concert like that??? That's way cool!

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  7. I am envious you have seen The Who while Enwistle was sitll with us. Was Keith Moon alive for that show you saw? They have long been a favorite Band of mine. Never much a ZZ Top fan to be honest. However, I am glad you had this time with your boys to see them. I like the pix.

    Now for your throat. Nothing better for your vocal cords than a long soothing run. They don't do much while your running you know (smile).

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  8. Sweeeeeet...who needs a camera when ya got an iPhone!

    Glad you had a great time and that the kids got to see the old man in action!

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  9. Yes, those photos are great. Never been to a big time concert; sounds epic.

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  10. Awesome! ZZ Top does indeed rock. Great photos (wow, you were close to the stage!), and I am glad to hear you had such a great time!

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