“I think everyone would agree that Las Vegas has started to become the new hometown for a lot of the bands that came out of L.A. in the 80s.” — Alex Grossi / Quiet Riot
Metal Sludge — They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – but not when Metal Sludge is involved.
We took in a rock and roll weekend in the city of sin, and we are here now to report all the gory details.
The two-day rock fest started on Friday with “Raiding The Rock Vault” at Hard Rock Live, and there is still a big buzz on this long-running tribute to classic rock featuring some of the world’s top musicians playing well-rehearsed old hits with arena-style production elements like smoke machines, a light show and two hot backup dancers.
Especially impressive were the four vocalists who took turns singing lead and backing each other up.
Keith St. John, the veteran of the outfit who has done a few “Raiding The Rock Vault” runs in addition to what St. John calls his “day job” as singer of Kingdom Come, played a key role.
Dressed in fancy, studded outfits, his hair flowing in the air, St. John hit the high note on Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again” and delivered the highlight of the evening with a stunning rendition of “Stairway To Heaven” that found the capacity crowd of a few hundred standing and cheering as if John Bonham had come back to life.
“The audience kicked ass tonight,” said St. John, sipping a cocktail on the venue’s veranda overlooking the Vegas strip. “Especially when they all got up and chanted the ending line of ‘Stairway’ – it was like a religious rock and roll moment.”
Todd Kerns from Slash also sang well, while newcomer Georgia Napolitano from Trans-Siberian Orchestra nearly stole the whole night with her stunning rendition of Heart’s “Alone.”
“There’s both new and old friends in this killer lineup of singers and players,” St. John said. “I have a total blast singing Zeppelin, Stones, Aerosmith, Van Halen, Whitesnake, etcetera. It’s the biggest rock show in Vegas.”
The other performers included drummer Blas Elias (Slaughter), guitarist Rowan Robertson (Dio) and veteran keyboardist Michael T. Ross.
Then it was off to Club Vamp’d a few miles west to catch the last few songs of Spread Eagle, the former MCA act that had a moment or two in the sun years ago and is trying to re-spark its past glory.
They sounded loud and fast, and among the admirers was Sebastian Bach.
It was getting late, even for Las Vegas, by the time we returned to our casino hotel on Paradise Road.
The best was yet to come.
Saturday found us in the front row for Quiet Riot and Stryper for a sold-out gig under a near-full moon outdoors at The Cannery.
Technically, it was a co-headlining event, but this was Quiet Riot’s night, as the foursome who had a No. 1 record 40 years ago called “Metal Health,” absolutely killed and did not leave out a single great song from their catologue of hits, saving “Cum On Feel The Noise” and “Metal Health” for last, as fans nearly lost their shit.
“What a killer crowd. I think everyone would agree that Las Vegas has started to become the new hometown for a lot of the bands that came out of L.A. in the 80s,” said Grossi, who lives in Las Vegas but is on the road for most of the year between Quiet Riot and his other band, Hookers & Blow with Dizzy Reed from Guns N’ Roses.
The group has a gifted vocalist in Jizzy Pearl, but the key to Quiet Riot’s renewed popularity is bassist Rudy Sarzo, the only Quiet Riot member who was there during the band’s prime years.
Sarzo proved in fine form – physically and musically – as Quiet Riot tore it’s way through an hour-plus set.
“We had no problems with playing first,” Grossi said.
Stryper, celebrating the return of guitarist Oz Fox (health issues), also performed well, particularly their stunning real background harmonies helped by bassist Perry Richardson (FireHouse),
Great singing is a welcome treat in today’s world of taped samples, click tracks and other fake tricks.
“We pride ourselves on real singing,” Grossi said.
Quiet Riot tours through the summer before Grossi hooks up again with Reed in the fall.
“It’s the 20th anniversary of Hookers & Blow, and we’re celebrating with a tour,” Grossi said.
Had Stryper not left out “Honestly” – one of the band’s biggest hits – they would get an A instead of an A-minus.
At any rate, Metal Sludge was all-in on this Las Vegas venture, and we hit the jackpot.
Now for some much-needed sleep!
Gerry Gittelson can be reached at gerryg123@hotmail.com.
