8/24/1992 Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Desert Sky Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ


 29 years ago today...

August 24, 1992 - Phoenix, AZ 

Progressive rock supergroup Emerson, Lake and Palmer reunited for a concert at Desert Sky Pavilion.
After a breakup and hiatus, ELP reformed in 1992 to release a new album called "Black Moon" and an associated tour.
ELP's excessive and extensive solos and prog-rock approach were not my jam, but an advertising client and me were invited by a media salesperson to join him and his wife in his company's private mini suite at the amphitheater. My client and I arrived shortly after opening act Bonham (drummer Jason Bonham, son of the late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham) had started his set.
Bonham was loud. Very loud. And not very good. Client and I took advantage of the complimentary beverages offered by the salesperson. When Bonham finished, we exchanged pleasantries with our host and his wife. They kept looking at their watches. After insuring that we had plenty of liquor and an open tab the rest of the night, the hosts asked if we would be offended if they left early. This show was clearly not their jam either. We thanked them for the tickets and the refreshments and wished them well as they beelined for the parking lot.
The band played "Lucky Man," an FM radio staple of the 70s and a song that I liked, but this was not a great show in my view.
Here's a link to the setlist:

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/emerson-lake-and-palmer/1992/desert-sky-pavilion-phoenix-az-3dcc53f.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

7/10/21 Super Bowl of Rock: Ted Nugent, Lynyrd Skynyrd, REO Speedwagon, Journey, .38 Special, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

Image
 44 years ago today... July 10, 1977 - Chicago, IL The "Super Bowl of Rock" headlined by Ted Nugent and Lynyrd Skynyrd was held at Soldier Field. The day opened with a then-relatively unknown .38 Special followed by a new version of Journey and one of the first ever appearances by Steve Perry. Regional favorites REO Speedwagon came on next and then Skynyrd, at their live show peak and the best band of the day. Ted Nugent, also arguably at his career peak performance-wise, closed the festival. In this pre-bottled water era, each of the 60K+ in attendance at Soldier Field could bring in a gallon jug. When Nugent took the stage, the empty jugs were thrown from the back and upper levels of the stadium down to the main floor and toward the stage. Jugs were tossed at the band with Nuge egging it on. So many gallon jugs accumulated on stage the show was stopped and staff with push brooms worked to clear the area.
Read more

5/18/2018 Lynyrd Skynyrd "Farewell Tour," Support from Bad Company, Jamey Johnson & Outlaws, Ak-Chin Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ

Image
 3 years ago today... May 18, 2018 - Phoenix, AZ Southern rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd performed in concert as part of their seemingly-endless Farewell Tour at Ak-Chin Pavilion. Under the tour title "Last of the Street Survivors," the current edition of Skynyrd drew a sold-out crowd to the outdoor amphitheater. Guitarist Gary Rossington was the only original member still rocking. Ronnie Van Zant's little brother Johnny remained the lead vocalist, carrying on for the original singer who died in the tragic plane crash of 1977. This was a long night of music, kicking off with a 30-minute show from the Outlaws, a four-song set with the closing song "Green Grass & High Tides" taking up half their time allotment. Jamey Johnson followed with an acoustic set where he was joined by one other guitarist, playing his hits "In Color" and "Mowing Down The Roses." Next up was Bad Company and the return of original singer Paul Rodgers. Bad Co performed an h...
Read more

6/4/1978 Waylon's Midwest Jamboree, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League, Heartsfield, Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL

Image
 43 years ago today... June 4, 1978 - Rockford, IL Outlaw country and southern rock performed loudly was on the bill for Waylon's Midwest Jamboree at Rockford Speedway. Waylon Jennings headlined this one-day festival that rocked from noon until dusk. Joining Waylon on the bill were his wife Jessi Colter, Hank Williams Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Pure Prairie League and Heartsfield. This show and all of these bands were squarely in my wheelhouse at the time, and we played their 8-track tapes in my El Camino on the drive there. This concert was only a couple years following the release of the album titled "Wanted: The Outlaws," a release featuring Waylon, Jessi, Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser that is credited for launching the Outlaw Country musical genre. Hank Jr. had just ditched the rhinestone suits and playing his father's lovesick blues in favor of turning up the amps and blasting electric guitars. NGDB renamed themselves "Dirt Band," in an attempt...
Read more