Rock and Roll Machine Reloaded = Endorphins

 

Mike Sorensen/Bad Wolf Media

I'LL BE WALKING around in a daze all day. Maybe all week. That's what happens when you get old and go to a great rock show.

A great, ass-kicking and make you wanna cry rock show.

Sunday night I took The Mighty Adam Yates to see Triumph and April Wine at the Hollywood Casino, the big outdoor place just outside St. Louis. I just wanted to see two of my favorite bands and get lost in a concert. Check and check!

April Wine has been around for more than 50 years. I was pleasantly surprised. Marc Parent has replaced the late Myles Goodwyn and Parent doesn't sound like him vocally, but man can he hit those high notes and play guitar. They were the opening act and they knew it and they simply cranked out one song after another.

High Roller, Enough Is Enough, and even the sappy Just Between You And Me were solid. Enough Is Enough is one of the great rock songs, ever. 

I saw Triumph 43 years ago (shudder). Back then it was all about explosions and light shows and drum solos and the in-your-face rock experience. Much has changed, obviously. Rik Emmett, my original guitar hero, is 72. He plays like he's 22. He. Just. Killed. It. 

It was loud but not earth-shattering loud, and pretty clear. Nowadays rock shows are about the video screens and images behind and beside the band as it plays, and there were some startling and creative clips. 

Gil Moore still plays drums and sings and still acts like he's having the time of his life. It's obvious these guys love to play and there was sheer joy on stage all night long. Mike Levine is no longer playing bass with Triumph, but here's where this version of the band got smart and has managed to stay relevant and deliver the goods live.

Todd Kerns is the bass player and did a fair amount of vocals. Brent Fitz played drums and keyboards and sang. Both have played with Slash and Alice Cooper, among others. Phil X of Bon Jovi, who actually replaced Rik Emmett in Triumph many years ago, is back on guitar and vocals.

Sure, Rik doesn't have that soaring tenor vocal range anymore. So you know what he does? He gets incredible players and lets them sing the high parts. The vocal harmonies were sublime.  And the guitar licks between Rick and Phil were ridiculous.

How do you get that good? By playing forever. I’ll play guitar forever but never remotely that good.

And the songs! Never Surrender, Hold On To Your Dreams, Lay It On The Line, Fight The Good Fight, Blinding Light Show ... Geesh!

The bowl was full but there was no lawn seating, so my guess is there was between 5,000 and 6,000 people. It was easy in and easy out. We bailed just as Triumph was finishing to beat the crowd and we were home by 1 a.m. That's late for an old guy like me, but I'll live.

If there is anything better than a great live show and hearing a great song start, please, let me know. The endorphin rush just surges through you and I'm going to keep getting the rush for a long time.

I am 61 and not even remotely in the class of the guys in Triumph or April Wine or any nationally touring band. But I do love to play and I have a blast playing. There are nights when I wonder if age is catching up to me and I really should be doing this.

Then I see Rik Emmett, 72, still at the top of his game and still having the time of his life.

I'm gonna keep going. Thank you, Rik, for the inspiration and the great songs over the years. Thank you Triumph and April Wine for great rock shows. Thank you Adam for letting me drag you along. Thank you Mike Sorensen of Bad Wolf Media for meeting us and taking more great pics.

What a night!