SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN
Bret Michaels has the sex and Dennis DeYoung has the strut in California concert pairing
LANCASTER, Calif., USA — On a warm summer night in California, Poison’s Bret Michaels and ex-Styx band leader Dennis DeYoung teamed Saturday for a rock concert at the Antelope Valley fairgrounds, and a crowd of about 10,000 loved ’em both.
DeYoung got things rolling just as the sun was getting ready to set, starting with a torrid version of “Grand Illusion” followed by the majestic ballad “Lady” that was written some 40-plus years ago but still goes over as well today as ever.
DeYoung sounds good always. He is 68 now, long divorced from Styx, and not only does he still sing incredibly well, and not only does DeYoung always bring a terrific backing band, but his likeability factor is off the charts.
If you can’t appreciate Dennis DeYoung’s panache and talent, then frankly we don’t have much in common, because where I grew up — in a Los Angeles suburb in the ’70s — Styx was king.
Limited because he was not the headliner, DeYoung plowed through a greatest-hits set geared toward optimum audience satisfaction. Every selection was or still is a big radio hit — “Blue Collar Man,” “Renegade,” “Babe,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and a few more.
Guitarist August Zadra does the Tommy Shaw songs with excellent execution, and fellow guitarist Jimmy Leahey (ex-John Waite) kicks ass throughout.
By the time DeYoung got around to “Come Sail Away” at the end, he had the swelling crowd in the palm of his hand.
Michaels was a late replacement for Pat Benatar, who canceled after guitarist Neil Geraldo had emerency eye surgery, and as things turned out, Michaels is actually a considerably stronger draw than Benatar, so thus the pairing of Michaels and DeYoung became a bigger event.
After a short break, Michaels came out in a great mood, determined to really get the party going — which is his specialty — and he did just that with the opening “Talk Dirty To Me.”
The mostly female crowd proved very responsive, as Michaels, looking fit and athletic in a tank top, jeans and fancy cowboy hat, tore his way through a performance featuring all Poison songs in addition to “Sweet Home Alabama.”
“Look What The Cat Dragged In” had the cougars up front reaching out for a touch. “Something to Believe In” saw Michaels in strong voice, the echoing chorus of “Give me something to believe in, give me something to believe in” cascading through the high desert like a gusty sand sandstorm.
On “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” tears were flowing — the song was a massive radio and MTV hit — and on this one, guitarist Pete Evick really shined. He is a more than capable replacement for C.C. DeVille — and that’s no easy task, taking into account DeVille’s flashy playing and charismatic showmanship — and it’s clear Mr. Evick loves being up there; you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face if you tried.
The hits just kept on coming — “Fallen Angel,” “Unskinny Bop,” “Nothin’ But a Good Time.”
In all, a very inspiring night of rock and roll with a pairing of two acts that frankly might not have been booked together had Benatar not cancelled, but it all worked out. You had the pomp and substance and melodic leanings of DeYoung, then the flash and fun and sing-along hits of Michaels.
A double wammy, if you will.
Afterwards, Michaels was in good spirits.
“I’m glad Metal Sludge could make it all the way up here. I really appreciate that,” Michaels said. “I had a really good time tonight.”
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gspot@metalsludge.tv
Metal Sludge’s Gerry Gittelson backstage with Bret Michaels
Dennis DeYoung’s twin guitar attack, Jimmy Leahey and August Zadra
Dennis DeYoung band takes a well deserved bow at Antelope Valley Fair
