Items filtered by date: Tuesday, 24 August 2010

"The Bad Boys from Boston” returned to Chicago with a flair and command that could only be associated with Aerosmith. This time taking stage at the Fist Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, singer Steven Tyler and company delivered a thorough set of classics opening the show with “Same Old Song and Dance” immediately followed with “Train Kept A-Rollin’” and “Love in an Elevator”. The large set included three large projection screens – one on each side and one above the stage, overhead panels to enhance the band’s light show that were lowered and raised, and a catwalk that protruded out into the crowd about 30 or so rows from center stage.

The band’s musical performance was pinpoint precise, with guitarist Joe Perry effortlessly nailing each lick and solo, while Tyler, dressed in classic Aerosmith frontman attire, danced around like a thirty-year-old and utilized his vocal range to perfection. The show included staple elements from the repertoire of rock and roll essentials such as a booming drum solo in which Joey Kramer pounded the skins with his hands in a thumping symphony of blistering beats. Perry also dueled his Guitar Hero counterpart (appearing overhead on screen) ultimately defeating him thanks to masterful fingerwork in a series of tasty progressions.

In addition, the band found themselves defending a crowd member at one point. Tyler reprimanded house security after they pinned down a woman who merely ran up to toss a pink boa onto the stage when the band went into the song, “Pink”. “Leave the woman alone,” shouted the famous singer before continuing with, “Security must not get laid around here.”

Included in Aerosmith’s fun-filled set were favorites “Livin’ on the Edge”, “What it Takes”, “Rag Doll”, “Sweet Emotion”, “Cryin’” and a superb rendition of the Beatles’ “Come Together”. The band also integrated a couple more obscure numbers before finally ending the show with a bang, performing encores “Dream On” and “Walk this Way”.  

Charlie Sheen is infamous for having call girls ring his bell. But, it was a real shocker to have seen Scorpion's rocker, James Kottak, smooching a blonde bombshell that, sadly, turned into a blow up doll (which, he was surprised by as well!)
 
It was a planned and previously videotaped gag the Scorpions ran for fans during their show at Chicagoland's Rosemont Theatre. And, that wasn't the only surprise the 80's rockers had in their bag of tricks.
 
I was taken aback by the thought of the massive amount of money that must have been spent for the endlessly enthralling high-tech stage design and lights with the drummer's set erected at least 20 feet high. There were generously sized screens behind the band playing good-humored skits and footage of their audiences back in the 80s from their first to last song performed.
 
I didn't imagine the Scorpions would execute a clearly well rehearsed production, either. Given the mastered performers each of the members of the Scorpion's were, and with so much staged, even a person with ADHD was likely to stay engaged.
 
The nearly senior citizens actually had pep from start to finish, too, proving they wouldn't be needing any canes, walkers or hip replacements anytime soon. Nor did the 40-ish aged fans display any problems with memory since most of them sang all the lyrics, and correctly, when the lead singer, Klaus Meine, extended the microphone out above the crowd.
 
Plus, the frequent interaction the German rockers had with the audience and the power, control and hold they had over them would have made sicko, Hitler, proud.
 
The sound was loud and clear with vocals and instruments rocked absent of a single glitch. I see now why the Scorpions have been reported as The World's #1 German Rock Band (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
Furthermore, they played all their biggest hits from the 80s plus some songs from their new album "Sting In The Tail," which were like totally awesome! As a matter of fact, "Sting In The Tail" turned gold a couple of months ago (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
Also, there were a wide array of lit lighters held by fans that would have probably made me have many thoughts of darting for the fire escape route, if I would have seen anyone in the crowd with highly ratted, hairsprayed and flammable hairstyles.
 
Yet, I was still disappointed to not have gotten a peep of any male fans at least stuffed in spandex with their eyes painted like cats and raccoons. However, I saw a few frauleins suited in head-to-toe-all-black-leather and they had their manes feathered.
 
My 30-year-old, buddy, who went with me to see the band was expecting a show gobbed with "cheesiness." He cut the word out of his vocabulary when describing the Scorpions after they played their first few songs, though. And, while his eye lids were completely rolled back into their sockets he said "This is a really good concert!"

Something I hate to hear is that the Scorpions will be ending their 35-year-old career (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
However, you can still see the Scorpion's "Sting And Blackout World Tour," if you missed them perform in the U.S. in other continents or if you just have to get more! (www.the-scorpions.com 2010.)
 
Lastly, I want to give the Scorpions a big hand for providing a show that was nothing less than grand.