Guest Book

OK, a two part review of the evening. I'll do our friends in LS first and move to the best band in the land in the morning. First, a few thoughts about LS. If there's a band that deserves to be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame they are it. Their production from 1972-78 is among the most impressive in rock history, and you can't write the history of 70's radio without Freebird and 3 Steps. They are clearly more influential than the Mama's and Papa's and a lot of the others in that mausoleum. It's pretty clear this band was on the verge of a major breakthrough when the plane went down. As a result I think their fans are a lot like ABB fans were in the late 70's and mid-late 90's when we attended shows for a magic moment and to pay respects to the songs, our collective history and the friends we had lost. I think a lot of the LS crowd wanted to drink a bunch and enjoy some songs that speak to their life story or what they wish their life story was. Consequently, they got exactly what they bargained for-a high energy show, where they heard all their favorite songs. They were fun. I'm glad they are on a bill with the ABB. Between the two bands the story of the south of the last 40 years was told. In spite of that I left their set feeling sad. This was at one time one of the 3 or 4 best live bands anywhere. Their shows from Wales and Knebworth that circulate are blinders and were not uncommon performances. However this band is a pale comparison to the original. For starters, I knew we were in trouble when the kick drum was so loud it forced me out of my seat to keep from having a heart attack due to an irregular heartbeat. It quickly became obvious that the bottom was mixed so high because the band has lost it's sonic kick. First only 2 guitars. I know they did that at times in the past, but at that time Gary Rossington could still hold up his end of the deal. Rossington in his prime was as aggressive a player as Warren, and his (and Eddie King's) rhythm work drove the band. It appears that heart surgery (and if memory serves, a stroke) have taken their toll. He played very little rhythm guitar, and soloed only on things that were very simple. I thought Hughie Thomason (isn't that who's playing 2nd guitar) made a valiant effort to hold the thing in the road, and at times he looked like Alan Collins and played almost as well. The other thing I noticed was VanZant's vocals were buried in the mix. While he's not a bad singer, his voice just doesn't have Ronnie's presence. It felt like they were hiding him. He was hyperactive onstage, where his brother could fill the space just by looking at you and making you think he would kick your butt for breathing. Again it was a pleasant set, but nothing cosmic. Finally, was anybody as bothered as I was by little VanZant's tying an American flag around his mike stand? I know Ronnie did that with the Confederate Battle Flag, but I felt like this twirp desecrated the flag as much as anyone who buns it. I'll never get the Mr.Patriotic award, but turning the flag into the equivilent of an a@@wipe stuck in my craw. i know a lot of old special forces guys who would have organized, stormed the stage and kicked his butt. Singing about the Red, White and Blue is no substitute for respecting it.