HOLLYWOOD — Just 37 years after leaving Quiet Riot during the height of the pioneering pop metal band’s prime, Rudy Sarzo made his grand return Saturday at the famed Whisky before an overflow crowd of more than 400.
Arguably among Rock’s greatest bass players ever, Sarzo is 71 but has kept in shape and still has the licks to bring super hits “Bang Your Head” and “Cum on Feel The Noize” to life.
The Whisky crowd went nuts.
“I am so blessed to return to the Whisky on the Sunset Strip where my journey with Quiet Riot began in 1978,” Sarzo said. “It was an emotional evening standing on the same stage I’ve stood with Frankie Banali, Kevin DuBrow and Randy Rhoads to celebrate their memory and legacy.”
Sarzo is technically the only original from Quiet Riot’s original stardom, though singer Jizzy Pearl and top guitarist Alex Grossi both shined all night in what turned out to be a fast-moving, energetic set.
You would think Grossi would most enjoy the super hits, but the black-haired Las Vegas resident said he actually preferred “Wild and the Young” (a great song), “Condition Critical” and “Let’s Get Crazy.”
Quiet Riot has a lot of hits including “Run For Cover,*
“Slick Black Cadillac,*
“Mama Weer All Crazee Now,”
and “Love’s a Bitch,”
Plus they threw in Love/Hate’s “Blackout in a Red Room” – which Pearl sang like he had just written the song that week,
in addition to “Crazy Train” to honor Sarzo’s stint with Ozzy.
“Being in Quiet Riot for nearly the past two decades has been an emotional roller coaster to say the least,” Grossi said. ”But the one consistent thing that makes everything worthwhile is seeing the fans’ reaction to the music of their youth and reliving a moment in time that will never happen again.”
As for Pearl, his legacy included stints with Ratt and L.A. Guns, and he is a consistently true pro known for never having an off night. He killed it Saturday, and Jizzy still looks and dresses cool, too
And this is not the end. Quiet Riot has a string of 50 more summer concert dates. (Shared below)
Meanwhile, Blackboard Jungle and others were performing their annual reunion concert directly across the street, and that was sold out, too, as all the ex-groupies and hangers-on crammed into the Viper Room.
“I think this was the best one yet, It was sold out,” bassist Britt Penella said. “At this point the reunion is way bigger than Blackboard Jungle. It’s about everybody that flies in or comes to the show and shares themselves with the night in this big celebration. It’s truly a Sunset Strip reunion once a year.”
BBJ performed all the classic favorites like “Old Friend,” “Shades of Fall” and “Get Off.”
Then as a bonus, Jeff Blood from Bad Blood and Mandy from Glamour Punks joined in for an encore, and the party was really on.
“It was really special when Jeff jumped up to do “Mountain Song” and Mandy, too,” Penella said. “It was great because at some point we used to all be roommates, and there we were back together again.”
Swingin’ Thing performed earlier and brought the house down with infectious pure glam songs like “Avenue Boys,” “Let’s do it With The Lights on” and “Groove of Love.”
Last but not least came Stars For Mars, still looking sharp with singer Dazzle Starr. The ageless wonder was accompanied by guitarist John Seminara, bassist Billy Blades and popular drummer Jason Russo.
“I had an amazing time, a great time,” Starr said. “We all did. It was definitely amazing. I want to do more shows.”
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gerryg123@hotmail.com
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QUIET RIOT Tour Dates
Jun 11 – QUIET RIOT @ Tag’s Summer Stage – Big Flats, NY
Jun 18 – QUIET RIOT @ Black Oak Amphitheatre – Lampe, MO
Jun 24 – QUIET RIOT @ Milwaukee Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI
Jun 25 – QUIET RIOT @ Riveredge Park – Aurora, IL
Jul 2 – QUIET RIOT @ Brickhouse – Newnan, GA
Jul 3 – QUIET RIOT @ TBA – Greenbush, MN
Jul 9 – QUIET RIOT @ Ceaser Ford Park – Xenia, OH
Jul 15 – QUIET RIOT @ Headwater Park – Ft. Wayne, IN
Jul 16 – QUIET RIOT @ Dr. Pepper Park – Roanoke, VA
Jul 20 – QUIET RIOT @ Pacific Amphitheater – Costa Mesa, CA
Jul 22 – QUIET RIOT @ AVA Amphitheater – Casino Del Sol – Tucson, AZ
Jul 23 – QUIET RIOT @ Sunset Station Casino – Las Vegas, NV
Jul 24 – QUIET RIOT @ Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
Jul 25 – QUIET RIOT @ Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA
Jul 29 – QUIET RIOT @ Ameristar Casino – Kansas City, MO
Jul 30 – QUIET RIOT @ Rock The Dam -Beaver Dam, KY
Aug 4 – QUIET RIOT @ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – Biloxi, MS
Aug 5 – QUIET RIOT @ Buffalo Chip – Sturgis, SD
Aug 6 – QUIET RIOT @ TBA – Salt Lake City, UT
Aug 7 – QUIET RIOT @ Clover Island Inn – Kennewick, WA
Aug 12 – QUIET RIOT @ Rockin’ The Rivers – Three Forks, MT
Aug 19 – QUIET RIOT @ Monsters On The Mountain – Gatlinburg, TN
Aug 20 – QUIET RIOT @ “Noyze Of Summer” Festival – Crownsville, MD
Aug 21 – QUIET RIOT @ Iowa State Fair – Des Moines, IA
Aug 25 – QUIET RIOT @ Thursdays on 3rd Concert Series – Niagara Falls, NY
Sep 3 – QUIET RIOT @ Rocklahoma Festival – Pryor, OK
Sep 4 – QUIET RIOT @ RedNeck Raft-out – Afton, OK
Sep 9 – QUIET RIOT @ Rocktember Music Fest – Hinckley, MN
Sep 10 – QUIET RIOT @ The Des Plaines Theater – St. Charles, IL
Sep 15 – QUIET RIOT @ Kansas State Fair – Hutchinson, KS
Sep 16 – QUIET RIOT @ The Strand Theater – Hudson Falls, NY
Sep 17 – QUIET RIOT @ TBA – NY
Sep 18 – QUIET RIOT @ Jergels – Warrendale, PA
Sep 23 – QUIET RIOT @ Silver Legacy Casino – Reno, NV
Sep 24 – QUIET RIOT @ The Venue – Denver, CO
Oct 8 – QUIET RIOT @ Little Creek Casino – Shelton, WA
Dec 10 – QUIET RIOT @ Buffalo Thunder Resort – Santa Fe, NM
Feb 2 – QUIET RIOT @ Norwegian Pearl / Chris Jericho Cruise – Miami, FL
Feb 3 – QUIET RIOT @ Norwegian Pearl / Chris Jericho Cruise – Miami, FL
Feb 4- QUIET RIOT @ Norwegian Pearl / Chris Jericho Cruise – Miami, FL
Feb 5 – QUIET RIOT @ Norwegian Pearl / Chris Jericho Cruise – Miami – FL
