Eagles in Detroit

27 October 2017, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

Going all the way to Detroit for 48 hours to see Glenn Frey’s son play with the band his late father had founded 45 years before was an emotional experience. Coming just one month after seeing – and reporting on – the Eagles at the Classic Northwest in Seattle, I elected to hold off posting a report and photos on the Detroit show. But seven months later, as I was writing about the band’s Portland show, I found myself referring back to this night.

Anniversaries – Terry Kath

It was 40 years ago today that Chicago’s original and most brilliant lead guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, Terry Kath, died here in Los Angeles. He shot himself in the head. It was a horrible, ghastly accident; he thought the gun was unloaded. He was eight days short of his 32nd birthday.

The news came through to me in Sydney as I lay in bed on a summer morning during school holidays in January 1978.

The Classic Northwest. I was there. Overjoyed.

30 September 2017, Safeco Field, Seattle, WA

I was a conscientious objector and then was most contrite. I made a huge deal about not wanting to see the Eagles continue without Glenn Frey, especially in such a colossal and overly expensive way, so I decided to boycott the Classic West Festival that played right in my vicinity in Los Angeles in July. And then on the day I was hopelessly depressed about not being there, on missing what was going to be a historic event…

Don Henley works it at the Runaway Tours Weekend Q&A

or: The Interview You Do When You’re Not Doing An Interview

23 July 2017, Dallas, TX

Sitting in the front row at Don Henley’s Runaway Tours Q&A in Dallas the day after his 70th Birthday Concert, I could almost have been at a press conference, except that most of the questions being asked at this fan event were more thoughtful, and for the most part more educated, than anything the average journalist would ask.

The Classic West. I wasn’t there. Big mistake.

15 July 2017. Dodger Stadium, The Classic West, tonight, starring the Eagles, and I was not there.

My summer concert season has been in full swing and I have a backlog of at least seven reviews and reports to write with a lot of great photos from great shows. And yet here I am on a warm Saturday LA night writing about a show I didn’t even go to. An absence that has caused me much more anguish than I expected. An absence I will regret always.

A majestic night at the Hollywood Bowl with Queen + Adam Lambert

26 June 2017, Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CAFor a combination of visual spectacle and musical grandeur with non-stop hits, there is pretty much nothing like a Queen concert. Having accepted this version of Queen, a Queen minus original, enigmatic bassist John Deacon, plus the fabulously flamboyant and vocally victorious Adam Lambert up front, it seems now I’m loathe to miss them if they play where I am. And who wouldn’t want to see Queen at the Hollywood Bowl?

Sheryl Crow and the summer of girl power

7 June 2017, Grammy Museum and 8 June 2017, Greek Theater, Los Angeles, CA

It’s been a few months since I last wrote here (my Liv On review had a huge response), and now that my summer concert season has begun, it’s great to return with another strong woman artist, Sheryl Crow, who has intrigued me for more than two decades and always drawn me into her musical ventures.

Anniversaries – Chicago at 50

5 June 2017, Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles, CA

This year Chicago is marking 50 years since it formed. I was hoping for a seriously celebratory tour, or a handful of extra spectacular concerts with special guests, perhaps even – foolish fantasiser am I – a one-off reunion with former members. But no, they just decided to go on the road with the Doobie Brothers again, because it’s become standard now for Chicago to tour in a double bill each year, be it with the Doobies, Earth Wind & Fire, REO Speedwagon or some other classic rock band…