On the way: REO, Styx and the Nuge

Coming to Starlight Theatre on Thursday, June 21: REO Speedwagon, Styx and Ted Nugent. Tickets on sale Friday, March 2: $19.50-$145. Yes, that says $145.

Comments

[GubmentCheese]

Somebody needs to form a "Branson, Missouri" for 70s rock bands.

[SR]

NOW!!!...
If you wanna talk about bands that LOVE KC!!!!, these three bands love us so much that I bet they pleasure themselves thinking about all the good times they have had here.

I never bad mouthed KC, I just said how some people and bands view us.... as far as I am concerned rock concert crowds here in KC are the best anywhere, and we sure as hell (I GUARANFKNTEE) we sing better than any other place I have ever been to. I am always delighted when some artist who doesnt really know KC wants us to sing with them, and EVERTFKNTIME we sing like angels, long and loud and good and they smile so big, and they tell us ... "KC YOU FKRS ARE THE BEST!!!!" and of course we are....

of course we are... it is just that a lot of artist/ promoters/ tour managers dont know that.. and it is their loss.

KC ROCKS!!!!

[herp derp]

""Somebody needs to form a "Branson, Missouri" for 70s rock bands.""
=========================
There ya go, another classic cow-town, hay-seed comment. And then people wonder why KC is viewed by some as a back water herp derp

[TC]

I was at the show at Royals Stadium (The K) in the late 70`s when REO and Ted Nugent headlined.There were two stages set up,which was pretty neat at the time.Supposedly the Nuge was so loud he could be heard 3 to 5 miles away!

[Gary Dean]

Wasn't it the Arrowhead Summerjam where Nuge got hit in the mouth with something?

I was at Summerjam 79 at Royals Stadium where a flood of rain came during Riding the Storm out, Kevin Cronin mentioned a few years ago at an Ameristar show he will never forget that concert

[Geordan]

I'll bet Foreigner will be on standby, in case one of these bands cancels......Anyway, haven't seen any of these bands since the 80's, which is the last time any of them were remotely relevant and before Nugent became a mouthpiece for the Right. I did see REO on one of those morning concerts on the Today Show a few years back and Kevin Cronin's voice was shot. I'm all for older bands trying to soldier on, but the few albums/cds I have picked up in recent years by some of these AOR legends who will remain nameless (one of them appropriately rhymes with 'Gurney'), are mostly lifeless.

New discs by these 'Classic' Rock artists appear to be an excuse to get these bands back on the road to cash in on our collective nostalgia (and seemed to be sold in editions found exclusively at Walmart). Too bad that most of these bands merely ruin what good memories I had of them when they just can't bow out gracefully. But I suppose if your musical taste hasn't evolved since High School (I have a few friends like that), then you might enjoy this show, which would have filled a stadium somewhere in 1978.

[Walter]

""Supposedly the Nuge was so loud he could be heard 3 to 5 miles away!""

For a long time that loud factor was actually in the GUINESS BOOK for loudest concert.

Ted got hit in the mouth at Municipal Auditorium.

I am sure this show will sell a lot of tickets, even without any of the grumpy grannys here buying any, and actually we would just assume you not go. I am sure a nice American Idol show will be on TV for you to watch that night.

[pellboy]

Probably right about that, Walter, I believe the Styx/REO/Night Ranger and perhaps even the Journey/Foreigner shows at Starlight last summer were both sellouts or at least close to.

From my standpoint, REO blows and they always kind of have and Nugent's best days are way behind him. While critics and rock snobs have always bashed Styx, they've always been sort of a guilty pleasure for me and with Young/Shaw (and thankfully no DeYoung) still out front, I think they can at least put on a show closer to their heyday. Too bad these oldies tours are only setup in a way to bilk the khaki crowd out of $40-$50 plus for the multiple acts as I would be much more apt to pay $15-$20 and see a band like Styx perform a full 2-hour show with some album cuts at a Knuckleheads/Voodoo-sized venue. In reality, these kinds of acts should be playing Old Shawnee/Settlers Days-type events for free, but I can't fault them for cashing in if they can.

Funny because instead of making me feel young by reliving my youth for a few hours, a concert like this full of gray hairs like myself, would have the opposite effect and just make me feel even older...like I just went thru some worm hole on my way thru Swope Park and got dropped into a high school dance 30 years after the fact. Ugh, I can't fight the feeling.

[Walter]

If you have not seen Uncle Ted in concert recently you better hold your opinion. That crazy old man can still play like crazy.

I missed his last show, after seeing him in small venues with his trio several times in the last 5-6 years, then I heard his old singer was back, with a new band... and I regretted missing it, of course.

He is funny as hell in concert, his stage banter makes me LMAO!!

Ted is the real deal, 6000+ shows, never apoligized, never backed down, never stopped rocking.... gotta respect that.

Ted aint no oldies act.

PS
Disclaimer- as long as I avoid his hunting show and his politics he and I get along fine.

[J.G.]

$145??! I guess if you have the balls to ask for that much you have fans who will pay it.

[Walter]

You know what this cow town needs?
A DOSE OF JOAN FKN JETT!!!

[pellboy]

Fair enough on Ted, Walter. I actually wanted to see his last KC appearance at the Midland, but my buddy stiffed me on the free ticket he promised and took his non-rocker GF instead. Might have even considered the sexual favors she most likely was giving him...oh well. Yeah, Derek St.Holmes played that gig and I'll admit, the prospect of seeing the classic trio lineup did excite me some so you're right, I'll give Ted the pass as far as onstage goes. REO though, can't freaking do it, they blow.

[Walter]

I was there on Halloween night a long long time ago, and they recorded it live, and it was so cool, so I have that aspect, but then they blew it after that. They started doing all those mellow crap love songs (which I will admit outsold all the early rock and roll, but they lost me in the process) so whatever, and Gary Richrath is long long gone, so they are not the same anymore, so I agree with you, they blow.

[Ron]

"Somebody needs to form a Branson, Missouri for 70's rock bands."

I've thought for years that somebody needs to form a "Branson, Missouri" for 80's hair bands. I'd go!

[wadkc]

I'm sure you remember my tirade against Ted from the last time he was here, so I'll save you my hot air.

I still miss Dennis DeYoung's reverse mullet. He had that long puffy curly hair on top and nothing in the back. (80's) At least he admits now that 'Kilroy Was Here" was his mistake and band suicide.

R.E.O. T.W.O. is a fantastic classic album. The rest of their catalog is a boring mess except "Roll With The Changes".

I still have my t-shirt from Summer Jam at Royals Stadium. I took some great pictures from that show. R.E.O. & Ted. If anyone is interested in seeing them, I could put a few out.

[GB]

I'd like to see the pics!

[Redlight King]

Saw a great sounding new band on Leno last night called REDLIGHT KING. I only heard one song, but it sounded good and rocking.... watch for them, I hope they break big, we need more rockers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMG9S2m1S7Y

[Not impressed]

I saw that performance last night and wasn't impressed, RK. Did you notice that there were lead guitar parts that you heard and yet there was only one guitarist onstage playing rhythm guitar? Where were those lead parts coming from? Go out and find that performance on HULU or YouTube or wherever, and you'll hear what I mean. There were two guitar parts throughout the song and only one guitarist. Anyway, they weren't all that great and would fit easily in the middle of the Rockfest bill...which isn't saying a lot.

[Redlight KIng]

LOL, all you do, everyday, whine wha wha wha just a little crybaby off of mama teet. Someday grow up, quit your whining and post something of value. If you dont like this band then post one you do like, but stop the incessant whining.

[slashnburn]

i'm with not impressed. If you can't play it live, go back to the garage.

[Danny]

The $145 are probably the orchestra pit. $19.50 if you just want to party in the back. Nothing wrong with either in itself.

I will probably go if I can and sit somewhere in between.

I saw REO at Ameristar a few years ago and thought they were solid, but haven't seen them since. Many of the older vocalists have voice issues now. My guess is they were not properly trained singers.

Styx was OK in 2010 and haven't got to see Nugent yet despite his frequent visits. Just wish the show wasn't on a Thursday.

[Not impressed]

Post something of value, RK?? I'm telling you, this band is fake when you can hear obvious lead parts throughout a song and yet see no guitarist on stage playing them. Are you that easily fooled? The singer and bassist had enough tatts for any three bands and the song was just generic. It's not "whining," it's just the truth, dude. If you like them, cool. But I saw nothing new or even interesting there...and anyone who still uses "LOL" on 2012 is a long way from knowing what cool is anyway.

[Nathadale]

To all fans of that band 145 is not really expensive.

[TC]

Gary Dean,I was also at that REO show at Royals Stadium when it rained,great show! And I would agree with other posters that REO blows now.......meaning that once they abandoned the hard rockers for the ballads (Hi Infidelity and later),and once Gary Richrath left,they went downhill! And I would also agree with another poster that instaead of seeing all these groups clumped together at the Starlight,I would rather see one group at a smaller venue by itself and get a longer show.An example of that is when I was living in Washington,D.C. in the mid80`s,I saw Foghat (anybody remember them?) in a smallclub ( 300 people,maybe) with three of the four original members still in the band! I currently live in the Dallas,TX area,and Ted Nugent has played at a place called Billy Bob`s a number of times,definitely a super show!

[Andrew]

I, for one, will be there. I can't wait to introduce my 11 year old son to REO and Styx. We saw Ted last year at Midland and he brought it loud and strong. I enjoy what I enjoy and don't really care if others think it's trendy or not.

[pellboy]

Yeah, TC, similar to my seeing Uriah Heep a couple of years ago at the Ameristar Pavillion, excellent show and only for around $20. Same sort of deal with Wishbone Ash, last year (and this coming May) at Knuckleheads.

Add me to that list on that REO SummerJam at Royals Stadium where the storm blew in. Jay Ferguson, Little River Band, Santana and the Speedwagon...always liked the Royals Stadium shows better because of the sightlines (usually sat in seats there as opposed to Arrowhead) and the smaller lineups. Best one I saw there was the previous year with Van Halen, Eddie Money, Steve Miller and Kansas.

[Robert James]

""We saw Ted last year at Midland and he brought it loud and strong. I enjoy what I enjoy and don't really care if others think it's trendy or not. ""

I am sure Uncle Ted would be delighted if someone called him trendy these days ;) heck, I bet he wouldnt care if you called wendy trendy or trudey.... as long as you go see him, he is the real deal. He is a rock and roll guitars master.

[LOL]

""and anyone who still uses "LOL" on 2012 is a long way from knowing what cool is anyway""

LOL!!! LMAO!!! ROFLMAO!!!!
Nothing to add? No suggestions? No brain, just whining, crying and spouting douchisms. You got nothing boy, get back on your mama's teet.

[TC]

Let me add another one here......when Dire Straits toured the U.S.A. for the first time,they played at Memorial Hall in K.C.K,can you believe it! There were only about 700 or 800 folks in attendance and my friends and I were able to move from the upper balcony to better seats on the floor! Of course,Dire Straits went on to bigger and better things.........

[It's teat, not teet. Jeez]

Sorry dumbtroll/RK/LOL, Not Impressed spanked you. And you know it too.

[Bubba]

BIG deal! Bet they'll maybe have Groupon Coupons for this show like they did last year for STYX / YES. Don't get me wrong, both bands were fine - especially YES. STYX was just unnecessarily TOO L-O-U-D, at least for STYX.

[LOL]

Sorry dumbtroll/RK/LOL, Not Impressed spanked you. And you know it too.

WTF?

Although I usually ignore your pathetic crap, today I gave the little baby some attention only to point out that all you ever do or say is wha wha wha WHAAAAA. Everyday nothing origianl just responding to others with your whining crying bitching, adding nothing. You are a bore, and your troll BSl does nothing to hold back anyone posting next time we see a good band.

I dont care what a little bitch like you thinks. If you dont like it, who cares? I am sure it was read and appreciated by lurkers who dont post, and I am sure they didnt read your non-info drivel, why would they?

ok, thats all you get. I will let you have the last word, most likely a last whine in your case.

[Not impressed]

Two guitars playing, only one guitarist on stage, LOL guy. My friend, would you be interested in some nice Swampland I have available??

[you been pwnd son]

keep yappin DT, the beatdowns you are gettin are f*ckin heelarryus!

[LOL!!!!]

LOL!!!!

[Jestcher]

Hey Pellboy:
I caught Uncle Ted at the Midland and the Styx/Yes show was fabulous at Starlight. REO is okay. You gotta get to the shooowwwwwwwwww and "...keep on rollin..."

I go to a LOT of shows. Why don't I know you?

[K]

There are some pretty astute observations on this blog (as long as I agree).
I too saw that band on Leno last night called Redlight King. I wanted to like them HOWEVER I too caught there were two guitars playing yet only one guitarist on stage. And the "live" guitarist was playing the rhythm/chord parts. Kinda weird. However a prerecorded "backing track" or whatever it's called seems to be a little too common these days. I read somewhere recently that Paul McCartney wanted to call these bands out for what they're doing however he didn't. Seems like this is strange a form of karaoke.
At least these bands at Starlight will be the real deal. Not of cup of tea however a lot of folks like it.

[Redlight King]

There is a bunch of crappy observations on this board. Depending on the day(type of music) people are loving a shtty 2/5 of a band like Sleigh Bells who have prerecorded bass and drums and calling them the best band of all time and then the next day you have goofs bashing on a band for having a backing track.

I guess it all depends on if the music is mellow fest crap like sleigh Bullsht(loved by the mellow fest lovers on this board) or a rock band like Redlight.

[ptgkc]

Nuge and Tommy Shaw on the same bill.

Do I smell a little Damn Yankees mini set cooking?

[Not impressed]

Sorry DT (your "mellow fest" nonsense gives you away), but it's more than just a backing track issue with Redlight King. First off, the song was average at best. But my question would be, why wasn't the guitarist playing the lead parts of the song instead of the rhythm? Makes me wonder if he even played the lead parts on the record. Now, if these johnny-come-latelys play Rockfest this year, how many folks, stoned as they may be, will cry bullsh*t when they discover that much of the guitar work during their set is recorded? If anything, YOU are the "goof" for being impressed by such a fake performance. Redlight King is your favorite new band? To quote YOU: "LOL!"

[Rick]

wadkc, please post a link to your summer jam pix here. Or write me at rick@kcrockhistory.com. Check my posts on Summer Jams at www.kcrockhistory.com.

[Sammy]

What is this not impressed retard ranting about? Does she have a point or does she just like to ramble? Sounds like a BTR poster mentioned a band they saw on TV, and this idiot starts ranting? Seek help sweety.

[mouse]

I saw REO, Nugent and John Cougar (before he was known as Mellencamp) at a summer jam at Arrowhead in the early 80's with now deceased husband. Wow what memories! I am now 50 and would love to take my adult daughter to the starlight show. Is that called coming full circle? or maybe semi-circle...

[D]

I’ve seen Nuge a bunch. In 2000 he warmed up for KISS and I saw that show 3 times. Twice in Minneapolis, and once at Sandstone. Nuge can’t swing across the stage on ropes anymore, because of age! The dude is 62 – 64, but even if he could 10 – 12 years ago, KISS is notorious for never holding bands back, since when they started every band they opened for tried to tone them down, because it would be impossible to follow them. They allow opening bands to do their shows. Nuge still puts on a fabulous show. But the reality is, even if a band allowed Nuge to swing across the stage and jump off amps, after a certain age, a body can’t do that. Even when he headlines he can’t do that. The only arena’s he still headlines are in Michigan and eastern Wisconsin. He’s a perfect example of when politics in music aren’t the same. Some real right-wingers love Streisand and as long as they love the music, they will buy tickets, albums, or CDs, etc. Left-wingers won’t buy Nugent’s stuff, even though he’s among the top hard-rock guitarists ever. A bit weak lyrically, though and he admits that. So the politics don’t work the same way. Left crowd holds it against him, when the right doesn’t do that. Many guitarists in the ‘80s gave him credit as an influence. But on this, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them do a few Damn Yankees songs. Maybe Blades makes a surprise appearance. Below is a YTube link for a great Damn Yankees song. I remember the Arrowhead shows, as well. I’m so old. But it’s nice to see bands I grew up with in the ‘70s still going at it. I already got prime seats for the V Halen show in May at Sprint.
http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=EkEbqgbSqs8&feature=email&email=comment_reply_received

[proach]

ted played the full throttle in sturgis 10 bucks cover charge still sounds great. rants on politics between every song was lame