Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 2013

When: April 18, 2013

Venue: Nokia Theater Live, Los Angeles

Accompanied By: Solo, but met up with Susan, Jill M., Lisa D. and PJL

Genre: Progressive Rock

Setlist: I Love LA (Randy Newman, Tom Petty, Jackson Browne and John Fogerty), I Think It's Going to Rain Today (Randy Newman), I'm Dead (But I Don't Know It) (Randy Newman, Don Henley); So Far Away (Carole King); Oh, Pretty Woman (Can't Make You Love Me) (Albert King cover by Gary Clarke, Jr.), Born Under a Bad Sign (Albert King cover by Gary Clark, Jr., John Mayer, and Booker T); Rock with You (Michael Jackson cover by Usher); Bad Girls (Donna Summer cover by Jennifer Hudson), Last Dance (Donna Summer cover by Jennifer Hudson); Bring the Noise (Public Enemy), 911 Is a Joke (Public Enemy), Fight the Power (Public Enemy); Crazy On You (Heart), Dreamboat Annie (Heart), Baracuda (Heart w/ Chris Cornell, Mike McCready, Jerry Cantrell); 2112 Overture (Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nick Raskulinecz & Rush), Tom Sawyer (Rush), The Spirit of the Radio (Rush)

Encore: Crossroads (Cream cover) performed by everyone 

Review: Excellent recap of the evening by PJL

This, out of everything in my life, is one of the Top 10 Most Amazing events I've ever had the opportunity to experience.  Words really can't describe what this day/night was like for me. In many ways, this is my "full circle" moment. Where my life was before Rush and what has taken place from the second their music touched my heart ALL those years ago...well, it's been an interesting ride, to say the least. And the fact that it would be Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins inducting our boys into the Hall of Fame, it was too perfect to pass up. Add all that to the ceremony being held in Los Angeles, and damned if I was going to miss it.

Thanks to PJL for turning me onto Rush nearly 30 years ago...I still remember listening to Moving Windows over and over again on my bright yellow Sony Sportsman Walkman.  That album got me through a lot of angsty teen moments and also provided one of the many soundtracks to falling in love for the first time.

So, here we were at Nokia Theater Live for an evening that consisted of: Randy Newman, Tom Petty, John Fogerty, Jackson Brown, Don Henley, Lou Adler, Cheech & Chong, Carole King, John Mayer & Gary Clarke Jr.  (paid tribute to Albert King), Jennifer Hudson (paid tribute to Donna Summer), Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, Harry Belafonte, Public Enemy, Chris Cornell, Heart, Jerry Cantrell, Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, and RUSH!! (I'm sure I'm forgetting quite a few other names).  

Granted, the reason I was there was primarily for Rush...however, the entire night touched upon various moments and memories of my youth. This night provided nearly five hours with "the artists who have formed the soundtrack to our lives." ~Jann Wenner

Video highlights from the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held in Los Angeles on April 18. Clip includes performances by inductees Public Enemy, Randy Newman, Heart and Rush. 

Q&A with Getty Lee & Alex Lifeson - Beyond The Lighted Stage

When: April 16, 2013

Venue: Archlight Theaters, Hollywood

Accompanied By: Jill M. & Gary

Genre: Q&A Session with Getty Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush hosted by Jim Ladd, followed by a showing of Beyond the Lighted Stage documentary and further Q&A with the directors, Sam Dunn & Scot McFadyen

Thanks to Jill for hooking me up with this AMAZING opportunity. The evening began with a Q&A session hosted by Jim Ladd with Getty Lee & Alex Lifeson. Immediately following the Q&A, we watched the documentary, Beyond the Lighted Stage, which I had only seen bits and pieces of before. What an awesome movie and to see it on the big screen was exceptional. Afterward, there was an additional Q&A with the directors, Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyn.

KROQ April Foolishness 2013

When: April 6, 2013

Venue: Gibson Amphitheater, Los Angeles

Accompanied By: Steph

Genre: Comedy

Line Up: Jay Mohr, Bill Burr, Doug Benson, Rob Delaney, Ari Shaffir, and Brad Williams

An evening of funny thanks to The World Famous KROQ and hosted by my favorite morning show, Kevin & Bean.  Can't say that any one moment of this even stood out in my mind, but the night as a whole was entertaining. Brad Williams killed it and makes his "disability" work for him in every funny way possible. 

Shortly after we attended this show, the news came out that Gibson Amphitheater will shut down at the end of the year. While the location was a bit of a drive, this really was one of my favorite venues. Never a bad seat in the house and despite occasional sound issues, it was just a fun place to see a show.  I'm sad to see it go.

KLOS Rock Against MS Benefit

When: March 27, 2013

Venue: Whiskey A Go Go

Accompanied By: Solo, but met up w/ a group of lovely ladies

Genre: Rock
Hosted By: Bob Coburn & Gary Moore of KLOS

Line Up: Chevy Metal (Taylor Hawkins, Wiley Hodgden, Mick Murphy), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Rick Springfield, Marky Ramone, Jeff Pilson (Foreigner), Billy Duffy (The Cult), Billy Morrison and Erik Eldenius (Billy Idol),  Gilby Clarke,  Brian Tichy, Jeff Young (ex-Megadeth), Chas West (ex-Bonham), Richie Kotzen, Teddy ‘Zig Zag' Andreadis, Tim King (Soil), Brett Scallions (Fuel), Phil Buckman (Filter), Orianthi, Rodger Carter and Paul Trudeau (Rick Springfield), Kenny Aronoff, Dario Seixas, Robby Lochner, Jack Russell, John 5, Piggy D and Ginger Fish (Rob Zombie), Tommy Victor (Prong), Blasko (Ozzy), and Luis Maldonado.

Surprise Guest: Billy Idol

Chevy Metal Setlist: Rush 2112 Overture, My Sharona, Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers, Bitch, Fairies Wear Boots, I'm the One, Stay with Me

Setlist (variations of artists): Tie Your Mother Down, Rainbow in the Dark, Tooth & Nail, Heaven & Hell, Shapes of Things, Electric Feel, Revolution, Should I Stay or Should I Go, Pretty Vacant, Mother's Little Helper, Come Together, Fooled Again, Vasoline, Man That Never Was, Somebody to Love, Jessie's Girl, Immigrant Song, Livin' Lovin' Maid, Save All Your Love, Rock Me, KKK, Rockaway Beach, Sedated, Sheena, Blitzkrieg Bop, White Wedding, Rebel Yell, Black Country, One Last Soul, Mistreated, Burn, Ain't Talkin' Bout Love, Crazy Train, You Really Got Me, No More Mr. Nice Guy, Foxy Lady, Thunderkiss 65

Rock Against MS Benefit Concert Review by Tour Bus Live

Cynthia, Lisa, Jen, Tai, Darryth, Jill & Linda

Milk & Bookies 4th Annual Story Time Celebration

When: March 10, 2013

Venue: Skirball Center, Los Angeles

Accompanied By: Kathryn & Nic

Genre: Book Reading Event for kids (and parents and friends of parents with kids)

Readers: Don Cheadle (Iron Man, House of Lies, Hotel Rwanda) and Bridgid Coulter, Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time), Julie Bowen (Modern Family), and Max Greenfield (New Girl). 

Other celebs spotted: J.J. Abrams, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Stefan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band), Jayma Mayes (Glee), Ariel Winter (Modern Family), Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal), Constance Zimmer (Grey’s Anatomy, Entourage), and Chris Messina (The Mindy Project).

Read more about this awesome event here: The Jet Set Family 

Sound City Players Take Over Hollywood Blvd

When: March 5, 2013

Venue: Jimmy Kimmel Live, Hollywood Blvd.

Accompanied By: Gabs

Genre: Rock

This was a special event for Jimmy Kimmel Live. Hollywood Blvd was closed down for this show for an estimated 5000 fans.  It was one of those nights that confirmed why living in, near or around Los Angeles, or in Southern California for that matter, is freakin' awesome. Thanks to organizations like 1iota and locally produced shows such as Kimmel, that allow the fans opportunities such as these.  Looking forward to more in the future.

Setlists:

John Fogerty: Travelin Band, Centerfield, Keep on Chooglin', Proud Mary, Fortunate Son

Rick Springfield: The Man That Never Was, Love is Alright Tonight, I've Done Everything for You, The Man That Never Was (performed a 2nd time for TV broadcast), Jessie's Girl

Lee Ving/Alain Johannes: Your Wife is Calling, I Love Livin' in the City, I Don't Care About You, Foreign Policy

Rick Nielsen/Krist Novoselic: Hello There, Stiff Competition, I Want You to Want Me, Surrender

For more photos and videos: Rock Cellar Magazine

Morrissey

When: March 1, 2013

Venue:Staples Center, Los Angeles

Accompanied By: The Knox Siblings

Genre: Alternative; Indie

Setlist: Shoplifters of the World Unite, Irish Blood, English Heart, Alma Matters, You Have Killed Me, You're the Only one for Me, Fatty, Action is My Middle Name, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore, I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris, Speedway, Meat is Murder, Ouija Board, Ouija Board, November Spawned a Monster, To Give (The Reason I Live), How Soon is Now?, Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want, Everday is Like Sunday, Let Me Kiss You, First of the Gang to Die

Encore: The Boy With the Thorn in His Side

LA Weekly Review w/ photos

LA Weekly Blog Review by Keith Plocek