Month: September 2012

 

I RSVPed for this event thinking it would be a total longshot to get on the list.   Much to my surprise, I received a confirmation a few days later.

I got to Burbank a little after 1:30 not knowing what to expect.  I imagined it would be a huge event with tons of attendees.  I was greeted at the door by very friendly people and let into the studio.

Once inside, I was completely blown away.    Billy’s basses lined the wall in seemingly chronological order from the beginning of his career to the newest Yamaha Attitude models he currently plays.  

The next thing I noticed was there were only 3 rows of chairs, a few tables in the back (presumably for the SRO folks) and in the back corner, there was a bar!! YES!! I then had a look at the stage area.

To the right of Billy’s…

 

I was completely thrilled when I saw Phil    ’s rig at the event.    With Russ Miller on drums, this was an incredible power trio – a true abundance of talent.   Phil and Russ are both top session players and most deservedly so.     They blazed through some familiar hits to a delighted crowd.  They jammed "Fire" by Jimi Hendrix, "Funk #49" by the James Gang, a rocking version of "Superstition" and "Shy Boy", which was probably the highlight for the fans there to see Billy.      It was stunning.   The playing was incredible.    And they were funny in between songs, too.   I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that everyone in the crowd was blown away.  I know I was.  Remarkable.

 

 

This was the Eddie Trunk birthday episode.   Chickenfoot’s Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were the guests on the show.  Actually, Sammy was billed as “guest host”, so he served dual functions, I guess.  Needless to say, these guys are pretty hilarious and definitely know how to party! The highlight of the taping was John 5’s guitar playing.   He completely lit it up from start to finish.   He’d quote Van Halen guitar parts during the break and his playing as guest guitarist was absolutely phenomenal.   Everybody was totally cool and it made for an excellent taping…

Inside the studio on the set…

 

The crowd waiting to get in…..

  

The cameras are HD, but the show isn’t….. yet, anyway…..

 

Pictures with Eddie Trunk, Don Jameson (check out his shirt), Jim Florentine, John 5, Sammy and Michael:

After the taping, there were many people that went to the Rainbow for…

 

Blondie and Devo are two of my favorite bands from elementary school.    Their music and videos were way ahead of their time.

I’ve seen both bands twice before and thought they were spectacular each time.  I first saw Blondie in 2006 opening up for The New Cars.  It was an outstanding concert.   The first time I saw Devo was at The Greek on Halloween of the same year.   That was an incredible show.  I was floored.

Oddly enough, I saw each of them play again in 2011 – Blondie played at the Club Nokia. 

and Devo played at the Canyon Club in Agoura.   

I got to the venue via the “pretty route” (I drove up past the observatory) and, upon parking, instantly ran into a friend I’d been wanting to see. Serendipity, for sure.  It was fun to hang out and talk concerts before the show.

It was pretty…