No one knows exactly what their future holds, and when January 1st rang in the New Year I had no idea that 2022 was going to be the most epic concert year that I have ever had. This calendar year has afforded me the opportunity to see some musical legends and my favorite bands, and to have been approved with photo credentials for more shows than I have ever been credentialed for.
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I discovered new bands that expanded my musical horizons even further. I met many new rock friends and shared time with friends old and new at shows throughout the year, across the country and on the high seas.
You might ask me if I am able to pick a single favorite show or band out of my epic year’s adventures. My first answer would be that every single show I saw kicked ass in its own right. Then I started debating if I could somehow quantify each show across multiple variables to see if there was in fact a mathematically proven top show of the year.
I kept getting stuck debating on what weight would each variable hold, and how out of town shows would potentially skew results as it does add an extra level of excitement to travel for a show which usually involves going to a new venue.
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After some contemplation, a new Excel spreadsheet and a few conversations with my concert going brethren, I came to the conclusion it is a personally subjective outcome and that traveling for a show would indeed skew the outcome. I counted too many variables between the ones that I came up with and the suggestions of my friends added in and returned to my initial answer that EACH. AND. EVERY. SHOW. KICKED. ASS!
2022 summarized numerically: 37 shows 26 credentialed shows and 2 shows I was able to bring my camera. 2 shows I got denied (both Iron Maiden) and 7 shows I didn’t try for credentials. 169 band performances 6 different states 14 different cities 18 different venues and 2 cruise ships 11 new venues I had never been to
My first show of the year was in early February at the sail away party for my annual excursion on the Monsters of Rock Cruise. Axeman extraordinaire Adrien Vandenberg was the headliner and it had been over thirty two years since his last performance in the United States. I was astounded at his jaw dropping playing ability as a teenager in the mid-1980s and to see and capture with my lens this man absolutely shredding right in front of me were moments of pure joy. And this was just the first show of the year!
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He also played twice on the Monsters of Rock cruise so three times within less than a week I witnessed a true master of his craft at work.
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The Monsters of Rock Cruise was beyond awesome seeing forty two performances over five nights and alongside a good friend who is a Jedi behind the lens and one of my photography mentors (Obi Wan). New friends were made as have been every music cruise I have ever been on. One as a result of me going “Hey, that is a cool t shirt – can I take a photo?” Even though I now abstain from indulging, that conversation has me an honorary member of the “Heavy Metal Beer Club”. Just that simple exclamation and question has led to a great friendship with a great metal and beer loving couple who live in Arizona.
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Many great bands were seen onboard, some newly discovered as well as many I was very familiar with. This was also my first exposure to the Van Halen tribute band Nerd Halen. I shot their meet and greet photo experience and I had in front of the front row access for part of their pool stage show that both Obi Wan and I were still talking about weeks later and we both proclaimed as our favorite show of the cruise. I cannot wait for the cruise in 2023 as it is an incredibly stacked lineup.
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A week after the cruise returned I flew out for my first ever visit to Las Vegas for my tenth time seeing Metallica and was a promised metal quest fulfilled for the Chief Metal Maiden’s first Metallica show. That the show was in Sin City was an added bonus! Thankfully no bail money was required.
Gretta Van Fleet was one of the openers and it was my first exposure to their music beyond what I had heard on terrestrial radio. I would for sure like to see them again and as a headliner. Crazy to see one of my local friends out there at the show, but we metalheads roll deep and travel for what we love.
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Two weeks after Metallica I went with another friend and Jedi behind the lens photography mentor (Lord Nikon) to see Tesla at the Strawberry Festival. While I was not credentialed for this show, their security does not check for cameras so I brought mine, shot the whole show from my seat and ended up posting over a hundred shots.
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The Cannibal Corpse show was my friend’s teenage daughter’s first ever concert (and her idea for them to go) and a people watching old mine. I witnessed a very interesting ‘exchange’ (that needs to stay unwritten) between a guy and his wife/girlfriend during one of Cannibal Corpse’s more anatomically graphical songs. Um, if you catch me at a show ask me about this story lol. Thankfully, while my friend’s teenage daughter also witnessed this said unmentionable exchange, I am beyond certain she had absolutely no idea what the band was singing about and I confirmed after the show that she is not scared for life.
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The Cult sounded phenomenal and Ian Asbury still has an amazing voice. A one hundred percent amazing show in a nearly acoustically perfect venue. I so look forward to seeing them again.
Cruise to the Edge was an absolute blast, Obi Wan and I worked as part of the meet and greet photography team. We had a balcony cabin (my first time ever on my seventeenth overall and sixth music cruise) and woke up to paradise out the sliding door each morning. My first time ever with “Production” credentials. Which means there is no three song limit from the photo pit (which is the norm with media credentials) and I shot on stage with the bands at various times for the first time ever. Initially that was a terrifying experience as I took each and every step up there carefully, as I did not want to trip over a wire and bring the show to a halt. Shooting on stage turned out to be the most exhilarating experience I have ever had doing concert photography.
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A special shout out filled with much appreciation to the Spicy Ginger for having us along on board. Overall I saw forty six performances (including the sail away party), Obi Wan and I each did four meet and greet shoots and again, new friends were made.
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Jackyl was a fun show and also a people watching gold mine given the venue. I have always loved this band and every time I have seen them live they put on a great, very highly spirited rock n roll show, and this night was no different.
Shooting the Pussy Riot show was an experience. To say I was expecting an actual band to play, when the emcee of the night said we were minutes away from Pussy Riot hitting the stage and me only seeing a table at the back of the stage with a laptop on it I turned and asked Obi Wan “Where’s the drum kit?”
Let us just say I have a newfound enjoyment of electronic music after seeing this show. It was very hypnotic, sensual and angry all at the same time. It was a heightened crowd and ‘band’ as the show was the headliner show of the local Pride Festival. The major abortion ruling had just rippled through the nation earlier that day so hence my description of the anger I felt from the band but they used that to bring solidarity to the crowd and it was just a powerful evening in many ways.
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Def Leppard/Motley Crüe/Poison/Joan Jett at Wrigley Field was an out of this world show, trip, and experience. For the review I wrote as a fan in the stands I came up with what I consider as my best title ever with “Pour Some Shout at the Devil on Me”.
A shout out of appreciation to my boss for the tickets, as much as I thought Motley Crüe kicked ass, I, the Chief Metal Maiden and those around us were in agreement that Poison stole the show.
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Volunteering to photo the Girls Rock St. Pete end of camp concert was an unexplainable experience for the fact that some of these girls had never picked up an instrument before the Girls Rock camp started a week ago and here they were on stage performing to a packed courtyard at Jannus Live.
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Obi Wan and I each submitted hundreds of shots and the reception and pure gratitude we received in return has us both anxious to volunteer again and photo as much of next year’s camp as possible in addition to the finale concert. This is a great organization and there are chapters all over the country. Girls Rock!
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Lord Nikon, his wife and another friend did a road trip to see Tom Kiefer Band/LA Guns/Faster Pussycat at The Ranch in Fort Myers. It was a huge venue inside with a bar along the wall all the way around and a giant ‘dance’ floor in the middle as it was apparent from all of the signed guitars on the wall it was mostly a county music venue.
Conversation on the drive home included both how great the show was as well as how cool that venue was, how great the sound system there was and we all vowed to keep an eye on their event calendar.
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Anthrax/Black Label Society/Hatebreed – Before we even went into the show I was in the presence of the Holy Quartet of Jedi photographers (Joel, Steve, Mark, Lord Nikon). While I and several other photographers were not approved to photo Black Label Society somehow we all got to shoot the whole set, while we all had the normal three song limit for the opener and headliner).
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With the stage height only coming up to my waist at the House of Blues in Orlando, I got some of the best shots of any show I have ever photographed during their set (you should see the Holy Trinity’s collective jaw dropping shots – Lord Nikon did not photo).
It was a killer show and a fun, literal at the last minute road trip with Lord Nikon as I did not even get the approval that I was credentialed until 3:30 PM the day of the show and then had to make the trek from Tampa over to Orlando as doors opened at 6 PM. So worth it!
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More appreciation goes out to the Spicy Ginger as she invited Obi Wan and I to the Monsters on the Mountain festival. Over the three day period I saw twenty eight performances, did five meet and greet shoots and met one of the most interesting, friendly and personable guys ever.
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For simplicity and to protect the identities of the innocent, I will call him Sparky and let me just say, within a few minutes of getting in for a ride in his (I have free candy but I am not a serial killer stalker) van, meeting and chatting with him it was like we had been friends for decades. I cannot wait to hang with you again Sparky! It has been great to keep in touch with you and follow your cross country adventures.
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Obi Wan and I hope this festival returns to Gatlinburg again next year so we can put a day on either side of the festival to explore and photo the area. For this trip we didn’t arrive until after 2 AM the morning of the festival (Friday), each ‘worked’ almost forty hours and had an airport pick up at 5:15 AM on Monday. Such a fun trip and Sparky was only one of the new friends I met.
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Seeing Paradise Kitty and The Iron Maidens in Milwaukee was the record breaking show for the year and it was not even September yet. This was my twenty sixth show of the year, breaking my previous record attained in 2014.
The Maidens sounded awesome and even played the hardly ever performed live “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” which clocks in at over thirteen minutes. The Kittens rocked the house and the whole night again solidly proves that Girls Rock!
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What I called and considered the Tour of Biblical Proportions, Testament/Exodus/Death Angel absolutely obliterated the ground in and around Jannus to where I witnessed a portal to Hell open up in the mosh pit.
Another people watching gold mine show, this was another show where I had to remind myself that I am not skilled enough to headbang and take (good) photos at the same time.
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Iron Maiden in Chicago was the longest wait in between ticket purchase date and the show date I have ever had to withstand (non-pandemic related or rescheduled). Ten months since the charge hit my credit card to the time the Chief Metal Maiden, two of our ‘Lake Bluff Bubble’ peeps and I entered the United Center for what was all three of their first time seeing this legendary band. To say it was an awesome show was an understatement.
The set list was pure brilliance, a great time was had by all in our group and I still had the local Tampa show to look forward to in two weeks.
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The Iron Maidens at OCC Roadhouse had the same people watching gold mine qualities as this venue always has. This time here my view was from side stage as we were allowed to photo the whole show from inside the crowd and the Maidens put on another stellar performance. They really mixed up the deep cuts of their set list from only a few weeks ago.
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Iron Maiden in Tampa I guess technically was a longer wait from ticket purchase to the show but you get the idea it was a long wait. This show was a reunion of three buds, Timbro, The Foz and it and was Timbro’s son’s first ever concert. We reminisced about how Timbro’s first concert was with The Foz and I back in 1987 (Motley Crüe and Guns n Roses).
The sound quality of this show was far better than in Chicago and to where I would say the best ever sounding show I had ever seen at that venue. Four of my last five shows were Iron Maiden related, and three of them were in October so instead of Rocktober I referred to it as Maiden Month. One other item to note was this show was the 139th and final performance of the ”Legacy of the Beast’ tour that started in 2019 and of course was pandemic delayed.
I had attended the opening night of the North American leg in Sunrise, FL in 2019 and got to close out this tour with a treasured, highly detailed, ‘Easter egg’ filled Iron Maiden event shirt commemorating the tour itself. Only time in my life I have ever bought four shirts at the same tour (three online, saving that hour long wait in the merch line) and for the one I got in Tampa, when I popped out quick during one of the songs and came home with fabric gold!
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Twist of the dial with a (mostly) reggae show in Virginia. While the trip also included a Lightning hockey game and some sightseeing, the chance to catch an out of town show was high on the list and much appreciated. The show was super chill with some extremely talented musicians. A nice change of musical pace. Definitely more reggae shows in my future.
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The Scott Stapp show was the other where I was not photo credentialed for but still was able to bring my camera. I had won tix for a section in front of the VIP section (SVIP – a new higher priced category I had not yet heard of) and this eventually got me on the rail up front. Scott still has his amazing voice, it was perfect weather for an outdoor show, and I got some great shots.
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Seeing W.A.S.P. in Orlando was the culmination of a teenage dream so many years ago to see them live. Life and their tour dates never matched up until this tour was announced and not quite as long of a wait as Iron Maiden, but we bought the tix back in January.
An epic road trip which finally introduced Lord Nikon to The Foz and the show was beyond epic in itself. This time I only have to wait a mere seven days to see them again!
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W.A.S.P. in Chicago may be the epic adventure of the year. Lord Nikon’s connections back home got us tickets to the sold out show on the first of the only back to back stops on their tour. Then prior to the Saturday show he and I both got to watch a bit of the W.A.S.P. sound check and also check out the Arcada Theatre.
He and I agreed that this was the coolest venue either of us had ever been to. Then we got to hang out for the Armored Saint sound check before returning to the venue a few hours later for the sold out show we originally bought tickets and planned the trip for. It was concert history for me as it was the first time I had seen the same band for three concerts in a row and my third time seeing W.A.S.P. within a week.
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Cannibal Corpse once again decimated and laid waste to Jannus and by far it was the darkest show I saw of the year as one of the opening bands literally had the crowd chanting “Hail Satan.”
There were dozens of people there proudly displaying their face corpse paint and upside down crosses on their foreheads. Thankfully this show was on a Saturday night so it was not too long before I could get to church and repent. I saw all four bands and did not understand a single word being sung. That is awesome!
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Jinjer was freaking amazing– I had never heard a band sound so good at Jannus. P.O.D. certainly has me as a new fan after hearing more beyond just their radio tunes. To say that Tatiana mesmerizes me is an understatement and my review of the show spawned this literary gem of me describing her on stage.
She transitions from that super sweet girl next door with a smile that will melt your soul to an alluring succubus that will rip your f*cking heart out just for the fun of it. I already yearn for my next Jinjer show.”
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I would say it is hard to put into words the experiences I have had this year, but here we are almost thirty three hundred words later. All I can say is wow! What an amazing year.
My favorite show of the year? It has to be seeing Metallica in Las Vegas. It is Metallica. It is Las Vegas. They finally hit double digits in my overall count. A promise was fulfilled to the Chief Metal Maiden for her to see them for her first time. The week leading up the show was a whirlwind tour of the city and part of the Grand Canyon. The show itself was absolutely awesome as those guys are still kicking ass.
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Months prior when I bought the tickets Ticketmaster received much ire from me as we should have had great seats, but one of the infamous Ticketmaster SNAFU errors put me back in the queue at the time of purchase. Still, it was freaking Metallica in Vegas and if tomorrow they scheduled another concert there I would find a way to make it!
Serious contenders for show of the year has to include Anthrax/Black Label Society/Hatebreed (for the photo experience I had). Both Iron Maiden shows (Tampa for the sound quality, but also for the band to put out what I think is their best ever event shirt). Def Leppard/Motley Crüe/Poison/Joan Jett (for the epicness of the whole trip, the venue and the show).
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Tom Kiefer Band/LA Guns/Faster Pussycat (for how fun the adventure was and how killer all three bands sounded) and the second day of Monsters of the Mountain which had me seeing a Ratt iteration for the first time since 1991 and Queensrÿche kicking ass. I could add in several more shows here – seriously, the whole year kicked ass.
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All three festivals I attended (two of them cruises) were the funnest times ever (I say that about every music cruise). Great people, great friends, great bands and great destinations. Good times.
My favorite newly discovered band is Nerd Halen, by far. I got to see two of their shows and I shot their meet and greet sessions on the Monsters of Rock Cruise and at Monsters on the Mountain.
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Their performances are musically so spot on accurate, entire Van Halen career spanning and with the mixed in comedic gold of lead singer Hal Sparks I was laughing my ass off and headbanging through both of their shows.
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Both of their shows left Obi Wan and me still talking about it days and weeks later, and they were months apart. After getting to spend some time with them in and around the meet and greet shoots I count them all as new friends and say that they are the nicest, most humble guys you could possibly meet.
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What a year. And 2023 is already looking pretty kick ass as at the time I conclude this I am booked on three more music cruises, have tickets to three shows and my friends and I always have eyes and ears out for announced tours.
To see my favorite concert photos of the year go here.
To see the list of shows and bands I saw in 2022 go here and start with show number 255.
“All Bad Things Must Come To An End” – Motley Crue’s final tour with very special guest Alice Cooper – American Airlines Arena, Miami Florida- September 2nd, 2015 (Images by Frank Colucci & Jennifer Devereaux)
I’d like to start off by saying just how big of a Motley fan that I am. I can remember spotting the Shout at the Devil album in my local record store when I was twelve years old. Soon after that posters filled my walls. Over the years my parents thought I was nuts worshiping four guys who looked very much like women, until my wedding day, when my mom and I danced to “Without You”. I had her read the lyrics before we agreed on the song and she said it was beautiful. This was my 14th time seeing them since the Dr Feelgood tour in 1990. All in Florida with the exception of two years ago when my wife and I flew out to Las Vegas for my 40th birthday at which time Motley Crue was doing their second residency at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
(Photo-Jennifer Devereaux)
Miami was the second time for me on this farewell tour as they played in my home town (Tampa) just over a year ago. All Motley Crue fans should know by now, the band is retiring and their last show will be this New Years Eve in Los Angeles; the city where it all started almost 35 years ago. Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Tommy Lee and Mick Mars all signed a contract in January 2014 stating they will never again tour as Motley Crue. With that being said, I figured last August in Tampa was my final goodbye to one of my most favorite bands of all time…
(Photo-Jennifer Devereaux)
A few months ago, a very good friend of mine (Noel) called me and said Motley had added more dates to their tour hitting cities they didn’t do on the first run of dates and that they were playing Florida one more time. I was hoping for Orlando since there is an awesome arena downtown and only an hour and a half drive. Noel told me the show was in Miami and that he just purchased two tickets. 3rd row with a meet and greet. I almost lost my mind with excitement just knowing that my pal was going to meet the guys in Motley. A week later, Noel invited me to come along with him.
At first I wasn’t going to include the cost of the above mentioned tickets in my story. Noel took me as a friend and didn’t take a dime from me but I do feel it’s important if you are reading this to know what it cost and what the experience was like. These tickets were $1000.00 each. Now, I could never afford to drop that kind of $$ on a concert but Noel did and for the thousandth time – “THANK YOU MY FRIEND”
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Noel shot me an email with all the details and what’s included with each ticket – Seat in the first 5 rows, M&G with Vince, Nikki & Mick only. (Tommy does not participate in the M&G. I heard that he feels it’s a rip off to the fans to charge them so he stays out of it) One personal item to get signed (No guitars or large items) A litho autographed by the three guys, a limited edition 7 inch vinyl, a tour program, commemorative lanyard, a behind the scenes tour and a merchandise voucher worth $225.00 in the Motley online store (Not at the show). September couldn’t come any faster!
I wanted to get something out of the norm signed, so I purchased a Motley Crue skateboard deck from the bands official website. It’s shiny and black with “Shout At The Devil” written on it and it’s gonna look bad ass signed in silver, hanging right next to a final tour poster I picked up last year at the Tampa show. Noel went traditional and brought an album; 2008’s Saints of Los Angeles.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
We arrived at the arena promptly at 345p as instructed; gate 4 for the Motley Crue VIP Package Entrance. There seemed to be around fifty people eagerly waiting to meet the Crue. At 4p, one of our VIP hosts meets and brings us inside the arena where we waited in line to sign our waivers and provide our email address so they can send us our pictures with the band. After signing the waiver, we all headed into a room with enough chairs for everyone to have a seat. There was a huge Motley Crue backdrop in front of the room. Motley music was cranking and there were a few small refrigerators that looked like Marshal amps filled with sodas and water along with bags of chips on top for us to snack on. Noel grabbed a water for himself and a Diet Coke for me. The drinks were warm so after one sip, in the garbage it went. Our VIP hosts, two girls, I cannot remember their names, introduced themselves and gave us the rundown of what’s in store for us. Obviously everyone was fired up and ready to meet Motley F’n Crue!
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
They called our names, one at a time to come up and collect our freebies that were included in the package. The tour book is something you don’t see too often these days at concerts. I have a few from back in the day and I wish I would have purchased more over the years as they are really nice. This one is no different. It’s big and full of amazing pictures of the Crue from 1981 all the way to the current tour. The limited edition 7-inch vinyl is also really cool as the album itself is red. Side A is “All Bad Things Must End” A song released in January of this year and pertains to Motley’s soon to come retirement. Side B is “Sex” which was originally intended to be included in Motley’s tenth studio album which never ended up happening.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
After getting our book, album and lanyard, we were advised that they will be calling us up again to now give them what we wanted signed by the band and that Vince, Nikki & Mick will not be signing in front of us. They will do it while we are doing our backstage tour. WHAAAT? Not going to sign in front of us! I thought that was kind of lame but so be it. No one physically complained but I wasn’t the only one disappointed by this.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Now it’s time to head into the empty arena and talk to one of the behind the scenes guys and hear about what it takes to set everything up every day on tour including Drummer Tommy Lee’s massive roller coaster which he rides every night suspended up over the audience from the stage all the way to the other side of the arena. If you haven’t seen it, check it out on Youtube. It’s called The Crucifly. Next, in groups of ten or so we got to actually walk around the stage. We started on the right (Mick’s side) and got to see his cabinet full of guitars, rig and the rest of his gear. Next we walked around the back of the stage. It was dark and not too much to see other than some of the equipment that works the pyro. Now, we headed over to Nikki’s side.
(Photo-Jennifer Devereaux)
Now I love all the guys in Motley. There is something very special about each one of them to me. Mick Mars has this insane tone to his guitar that you can easily pick out of a guitar tone lineup. (If there ever was such a thing) Mick’s sound is sick and dirty rolled together and sounds like no-one else. Tommy Lee is one of the greatest drummers of all time; not only his playing ability but the show he puts on while doing it is like no-one else. Vince Neil is one of the coolest lead singers to ever front a band live. Vince keeps the crowd involved and singing throughout the show.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Finally we have Nikki Sixx. Nikki is my favorite member of the group. He is a great bass player and an all around bad ass. Everything about his image and look has always been super cool to me. On Nikki’s side it was similar to what we saw for Mick only outside the bass guitar cabinet was Nikki’s flame thrower bass. This was pretty cool to see up close. If you have never seen Motley Crue live, Nikki uses a bass with a flame thrower attached to it during “Shout at the Devil”. It’s pretty awesome to see live and again there are many videos of it on Youtube. Next we walked down the floor area of the arena straight to the back where they have what is called the Cruesnest. The Cruesnest is a second stage used for the last song of the evening. As part of a another VIP experience, fans can purchase seats on the Cruesnest and sit very close and personal with the guys as it rises up about twenty five feet during the last song.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Around 515p we all went back into that first room with the chairs and waited for the next part of the VIP experience. MEETING THE BAND! Our host advised us that the M&G will take place at 6p and they will soon line us up for that. At 545p we all lined up just outside the room we were in and waited until 615p until the line started moving. No phones, cameras, markers were allowed. Actually, nothing at all was allowed in your hands while meeting the guys. Noel and I were about half way back and within a few minutes we were all the way near the front. I’m thinking damn, this sure is going quick. I got up to the door as we were next inside. My heart was racing as I could see Nikki’s red bandana around his head.
Their tour manager asked Noel and I if we wanted our pictures together or separate. Meaning Noel and I in the picture together with Motley or we walk in separately. We had already decided that if we were given only one choice, we would go in together. We went inside and for me it went like this …. “Hey Vince, great to meet you” (handshake) “Nikki, OMG what an absolute honor to meet you” (handshake) “Mick, such a pleasure” (handshake). I stood between Vince and Nikki and Noel between Nikki and Mick. Smile ….Pictures taken and done.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Out the door we went to stand back in line until everyone was finished so we can the collect our things and enjoy the concert. My experience meeting Motley Crue lasted less than 30 seconds. Everyone was in and out in what seemed like less than ten minutes total. We never even heard their voices. At a $1000.00 a ticket (starting for VIP – They had packages up to 5K that included an autographed bass guitar) they could have at least thanked us. I’ve been to a few of these meet and greets, none on the same level as Motley Crue and none of them cost even a quarter of what this one did and they were way more personal and spent time to talk and answer a question or two. Needless to say I was a bit let down but hey that’s Motley. They have been doing this for many years and it must be working for them and at the end of the day it was still one amazing bad ass experience and the concert hasn’t even started yet.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Instead of going straight to our seats, we decided to skip the first band that we honestly had never heard of and bring all of our stuff to the car and grab a drink. We knew Alice Cooper was on at 745p so we had about an hour. Alice took the stage right on time. We were real excited for this since last year in Tampa, the show was outside in an amphitheater. Alice Cooper’s live show should not been seen outside in the daylight. Watching Alice is somewhat like watching a horror movie, and no one goes to the movies and turns on the lights.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
This was my fourth time seeing Alice live but first time close enough to really appreciate what’s all involved in his show. From the opening song “The Black Widow” wrapped in a black robe with costume changes on “No More Mr. Nice Guy” “Feed My Frankenstein” and the highlight for me was of course breaking out of a straight jacket and seeing his head chopped off in a guillotine. For being only a few years shy of 70, Alice really does go way above and beyond what of what you would think for a guy at his age. I mean the songs alone speak for themselves and if he just stood in front of a microphone it would still be awesome, but the theatrical aspect of seeing Alice Cooper live is something creative and very entertaining. Also, I encourage everyone to check out Alice’s guitar player Nita Strauss. Nita was formerly in the Iron Maidens (all female Iron Maiden tribute band). She is an amazing guitarist who’s only 28 and will be around long after Alice decides to retire.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
It’s almost 9p and the arena is full. The lights go out. About a minute later we begin to hear a heart beat type drumming with white lights flashing to the beat. Thousands of South Florida Motley fans screaming in anticipation of what is most likely their last time seeing them (exactly what I thought last August in Tampa – lol) Out walks Mick and lights appear directly behind him as he straps on his guitar. Next to walk out on this very dark stage is Nikki, whose microphone is directly in front of me. Now lights on the left side of the stage. The drums began light up as Tommy takes a seat. The music starts “Girls, Girls, Girls” and Vince runs to the front of the stage and the show has begun. Let’s also not forget the two smoking hot backup singers that graced the stage on and off throughout Motleys entire performance; Two hours of hit songs; one after another spanning through their nine studio albums catalog. The setlist (see below) hasn’t changed much during this farewell tour. I think they may have switched out two or three songs from last year’s show in Tampa.
(Photo-Jennifer Devereaux)
Seven or eight songs into the concert Vince gave the microphone to Nikki to say a few words to the crowd. “You guys having a good time tonight? Because it seems like some of you are on bath salts. Wake the fuck up, alright, come on! The fucking bimbos in the front row, stop taking selfies, you’re at a fucking rock concert. Jesus Christ! The rest of you guys that came here to see Motley Crue, we have to say that you guys made Motley Crue, you guys called the radio stations, you came to the concerts and you guys made us who we are so thank you very much”. Did he just call two ladies in the front row who paid at least $1000.00 to be there, bimbos? Why, yes he did. Why would you talk to you fans like that? Why? Because he is Nikki Fucking Sixx and this is Motley Fucking Crue!! They didn’t get where they are today by being nice. Motley is rude, crude and in your face and they are the bad boys of rock n roll and back in the day Nikki would have had those girls on the tour bus for an after show snack.
(photo Frank Colucci)
Motley raged on for two hours. Sixteen songs, and solos from both Tommy and Mick. Tommy’s Crucifly drum solo/roller coaster ride came in after “Louder than Hell” off of 1985’s Theater of Pain. For over ten minutes Tommy went from one end of the American Airlines Arena to the other high above the crowd, spinning and playing completely upside down. I honestly can’t think of anything else that could ever top the Crucifly as far as an over the top way to play the drums. Even though he was playing over some of his favorite non-Motley tunes and not like a traditional drum solo, it really was spectacular; and for him to do it night after night is really something else. Earlier in the day while on our backstage tour we learned what it takes to build this massive roller coaster every day. Over a 125 drops from the arena ceiling just to hold it up and the crew rolls in at 8a show day and has everything ready to go usually by 3p goes to show you, how much hard work and creativity goes into putting on a show of this magnitude.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Followed by Tommy were Mick’s sleazy yet heavy guitar riffs. Five minutes of shredding that segued into “Mutherfucker of the Year” off of the bands last studio album, 2008’s Saints of Los Angeles. Did I mention Mick’s tone? SICK! Those who know, know!
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
The last song on the main stage was one of Motley’s biggest songs of all time, both on radio and MTV. “Kick Start My Heart” off of 1989’s Dr. Feelgood. What a way to end a concert. With a song title like that, you know your adrenaline will be pumping. Half way through the song Vince and Nikki each were taken separately high above the audience to finish out the concert on these crane type stage extensions. Confetti was raining down on the floor while the stage was exploding with pyro like the grand finale of fireworks display on the 4th of July, and ending with a flaming pentagram directly behind Tommy as his drums also rose again on the Crucifly. Vince and Nikki returned to the stage and were joined by Tommy and Mick to take their final goodbye bow.
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
The lights went out and after a few minutes Motley returned for their encore; another huge song for them in the late 80’s, early 90’s Theater of Pains “Home Sweet Home”. This was of course preformed on the Cruesnest stage.
As sad as it is to say that I’ll never get to see Motley Crue again (Providing they stick to their commitment of never touring again) I have to admit, it’s pretty cool how they went about retiring. We all know these guys aren’t done. They are just done with Motley Crue. Nikki has his band SixxAM, Vince has had a solo career for years already, Tommy has dabbled in a few projects over the years and is a proven club DJ and Mick has already said in interviews that he plans on a solo album and tour not long after the Motley machine is shut down. They are closing shop while still looking good, sounding great and staying true to what makes them Motley Crue. Something a few other bands should take notice of.
(Photo-Jennifer Devereaux)
I’d like to end by saying thank you to Motley Crue. Thank you for eight great studio albums. (I boycotted the band during the one album with John Corabi singing) Thank you for fourteen bad ass concerts over twenty five years for me personally (second most that I have seen one band – Anthrax #16 at the end of September) I can’t wait for each of your next chapters. This guy will be checking it all out for sure. Now, be strong and “Shout at the Devil”!
(Photo-Frank Colucci)
Alice Cooper set list – 1.”The Black Widow” 2.”No More Mr. Nice Guy” 3.”Under My Wheels” 4.”I’m Eighteen” 5.”Billion Dollar Babies” 6.”Poison” 7.”Dirty Diamonds” 8.”Go to Hell” 9.”Feed My Frankenstein” 10.”Killer” 11.”I Love the Dead” 13.”School’s Out”
Motley Crue set list – 1.”Girls, Girls, Girls” 2.”Wild Side” 3.”Primal Scream” 4.”Same Ol’ Situation” 5.”Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” 6.”Smokin’ in the Boys’ Room” 7.”Looks That Kill” 8.”Mutherfucker of the Year” 9.”Anarchy in the U.K.” 10.”Shout at the Devil” 11.”Louder Than Hell” 12.Drum Solo 13.Drum Solo 14.”Saints of Los Angeles” 15.”Live Wire” 16.”Dr Feelgood” 17.”Kickstart My Heart” 18.”Home Sweet Home”
An Extra Special Thank You to Jennifer Devereaux for providing us with some images for this article. Check out her work at
