The set list gave every one their monies worth. “Cradle Of Love,” “Dancing With Myself,” “Flesh For Fantasy,” and “White Wedding” were the opening tunes. Very high energy from Idol and his band and the crowd was with them all the way. I think the audience got a little lost during “John Wayne” (one of two new songs on Idolize Yourself) but the band kicked up their energy level even higher and kept it there for the rest of the (nearly two hour) show.
“To Be A Lover” drew the audience back in and it felt like the atmosphere in the whole place was on vibrate. When “Eyes Without A Face” started out pretty mellow, it lead to a surging build that left everyone panting for more. And the hits kept on coming after that; “Blue Highway,” “Rebel Yell,” “Hot In The City”. Best of the lot for me was the inclusion of my ultimate Billy Idol tune taken from his early days, “Ready, Steady, Go”. WOW! Was it actually thirty years since that first Gen X album came out? It doesn’t seem possible and yet the song still sounded fresh and exciting.
As a matter of fact, the whole show felt like that although the band was at the tail end of a three month tour. Billy’s voice was rich and strong. I don’t think I’d heard him sing better. With Brian Tichy behind the drums, Stephen McGrath on bass, and Derek Sherinian at the keyboard, the set was tight musically. Still, there was a playfulness and free spirit flow from all involved.
Don’t think that I’ve forgotten Steve Stevens. To even imagine Billy Idol without the main man on axe is laughable. I think that it’s a shame that most people only think of Stevens in terms of his being Idol’s longtime musical partner. Because then they miss out on the other contributions he has made to the world of music. He won the Best Pop Instrumental Performance Grammy in 1987 for “Top Gun Anthem”.
![Chicago: Live in Concert [Blu-ray] Starring Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, et al. (Nov 1, 2011)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5198vHFv5UL._AA115_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - Stacey
Great review! One thing though....It wasn't Stevens vs McGrath in the guitar face off. Brian Tichy comes off drums to play against Stevens....
2 - tink
ACK!!!!!!! You know...I just assumed it was McGrath as I missed the switch around with Brian. Later, my photog mentioned he'd come out from behind his kit to play guitar, but I didn't make that connection. As you can tell, at least one mind at the concert (mine!) was in the gutter and not totally focused on all the players.
BOY...is my face red!!
Thanks for the gentle correction Stacey. Glad you liked the review regardless!!
3 - Stacey
Hey, no problem whatsoever!...easy mistake, especially when all eyes are generally on well, you know who. And since I couldn't be at any of the HOB shows in L.A. I appreciate your detailed review.....you made me feel like I was almost there. Almost ;)
4 - tink
In the blog I put up on my "home sweet home", I always write an accompanying piece to my BC articles. Usually they address a different side of whatever I have place here on BC and often a piece of my own personal RnR history.
In this one however, I talk about making such a public oops. Hope you will check that out.
5 - Kim
Wasn't there 2 more pics when this article first went up? Or was I just hallucinating? lol