Review | Photography by: Nadine Swiger

It’s All Aboard!!  The “Midwest Rock-n-Roll Express!” has pulled into Glens Falls!

It was a triple header, Rock n’ Roll night as Ted Nugent, Styx and Reo Speedwagon led this musical train straight into the Glens Falls Civic Center in downtown Glens Falls NY. This trio has got to be one of the best “blast from the past” kind of tours, as the night is packed full of the hit’s from the 70’s and 80’s rock that we know all too well and love! Memories are tied to songs, and those songs performed on this tour bring your straight back to, what some fans say, another lifetime.

It was great to see such a packed arena on a Wednesday night and I just love to look around and see all the generations in the crowd, coming together for one purpose, to rocked out!

From “Cat Stratch Fever” to “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang”, Ted Nugent was “Just What The Doctor Ordered” to get the blood pumping! There is no doubt that Ted Nugent is a great musician and an amazing showman to boot!

Kicking off his set with “Wango Tango,” he had the arena’s attention from the start! He’s loud, American Proud and everything you can imagine his live performance to be. He even threw in his rendition mix of the Temptation’s song, “My Girl” leading into Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B Goode” which was really wild to hear.  Ted Nugent knows how to get a crowd to their feet, this show was no exception. He is always alot of fun to watch perform!

When this tour winds down mid May, Ted Nugent will continue on touring with Laura Wilde. See Tour Dates listed below and of course stay tune to his websites for the latest information (links also below).

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Up next was the one, the only – STYX!…………….

Entering the stage with a grand sound, packed full of rich harmonies, Styx kicked off their set with “Blue Collar Man.” They may sing about having “too much time” on their hands, but Styx brings you back in time, to a place where time had past way too quickly, with a set list packed with their melodiousness hits… “The Grand Illusion,” “Fooling Yourself,” “Come Sail Away,” “Too Much Time on My Hands” and of course “Renegade” to name a few.

Their set also included a special tribute to the late Richie Havens, the folk artist who was the first to take the stage at the original Woodstock. Havens past away a few days prior to the show. Styx played their rendition of Havens’ song “Freedom.”

They truly put on an extraordinary performance that will be embedded in your mind. You can soon relive your experience in your own home, as on May 7th, 2013, Styx will be releasing a new 2 DVD set, “The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live” on Eagle Rock Entertainment. The double dvd set was recorded at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis TN, where Styx performed “The Grand Illusion” (1977) and “Pieces Of Eight” (1978) albums in their entirety. Watch for Styx to continue on the road, as they continue to tour across North America this summer, see Tour Dates listed below and stay tune to the band’s websites for all the latest info (links also below).

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Rounding out the night was the renowned Reo Speedwagon…………

Reo Speedwagon took the stage, “Don’t Let Him Go.” It’s a great song to kick off the set, as the drums start the build the speed of the song as the tempo picks up. Then, they went straight into “Take It On The Run”. Their set was packed with back to back hits… “Keep Pushin’,” “Golden Country,” “Can’t Fight This Feeling,”  “That Ain’t Love,” “Like You Do.”  “Time for Me to Fly, “Back on the Road Again” and  “Roll With the Changes.” Yes all those songs packed into one night before returning for the encore “Keep on Loving You” and “Ridin’ the Storm Out.”

Reo Speedwagon was sounding exceptional. On Reo Speedwagon’s website – the “Notes from Kevin” section – vocalist Kevin Cronin talked about how they watch a recording of last night’s concert, to learn from it and to figure out how to make each show better than the last. Good Luck as this show was pretty top-notch! But with those techniques, how could it not be! Reo Speedwagon will also be touring this summer. See tour dates listed below and stay tune to the band’s websites for all the latest info (links also below).

The Power trio bill of “The Midwest Rock-n-Roll Express!” didn’t leave without making several marks! Not only did fans leave with memories of a great night of rock n roll, but an imprint was also left in the community! On hand was a fundraiser for “Rock to The Rescue,” a charity founded by Styx in 2002,  that is designed to support and strengthen community across the USA.  The “Midwest Rock-n-Roll Express!” started days after the bombing in Boston, so the charity decided to raise money each stop of the tour, donating 75% of  the proceeds to local charity in Boston to help the victims and the remaining 25% was to be given to the local charities where the show took place.  At every show of the tour, “Rock to The Rescue” raffled off a guitar signed by all three bands. Tickets were only $10 for the chance to win a pretty awesome guitar that not only could you play, but you would more likely hang it on the wall. Rock The Rescue has enriched communities, reaching out in areas of music education, animal welfare, and health and well being. For more information on Rock The Rescue, visit: rocktotherescue.net or facebook.com/RockToTheRescue.

The tour is winding down, so if your in the path of this rock n roll train, be sure to stop in for a great night you will remember!! The tour ends in May, and all three bands will continue on separate tours. So be on the look out as you will not want to miss any of the bands on this bill!!!

________________________________________________________________________

.PHOTO GALLERIES :

.

REO SPEEDWAGON :: PHOTO GALLERY :: GLENS FALLS NY

STXY :: PHOTO GALLERY :: GLENS FALLS NY

TED NUGENT :: PHOTO GALLERY :: GLENS FALLS NY

_____________________________________________________________________________

TOUR DATES :

.

Remaining Dates – REO SPEEDEWAGON | STYX | TED NUGGENT TOUR :
5/03/2013 – St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheater
5/04/2013 – Tampa, FL @ The Funshine Music Festival
5/05/2013 – Atlanta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
5/07/2013 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
5/08/2013 – Tulsa, OK @ BOK Center
5/10/2013 – Kansas City, MO @ Starlight Theatre
5/11/2013 – Lincoln, NE @ Pinewood Bowl Amphitheater
5/12/2013 – Williamsburg, VA @
5/14/2013 – Grand Rapids, MI @ Van Andel Arena
5/15/2013 – Evansville, IN @ Ford Center
5/17/2013 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center
5/18/2013 – St Louis MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
5/19/2013 – Burgettstown, PA @ First Niagara Pavilion

REO SPEEDWAGON DATES:
6/08/2013 Laughlin, NV @ Edgewater Casino
6/11/2013 Del Mar, CA @ San Diego County Fair
6/18/2013 Lewiston, NY @ Artpark
6/21/2013 Hyannis, MA @ Cape Cod Melody Tent
6/22/2013 Cohasset , MA @ South Shore Music Circus
6/25/2013 Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion
6/27/2013 Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Summerfest
6/28/2013 Joliet, IL @ ATI Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium
6/29/2013 Brainerd, MN @ Brainerd International Raceway
7/20/2013 Larchwood, IA @ Grand Falls Casino Resort
7/25/2013 Belleville, Ontario @ Empire Square Live
7/28/2013 Columbus, OH @ Ohio State Fairgrounds
8/02/2013 Waverly, IA @ Bremer County Fair
8/09/2013 Washington, MO @ Washington Town & Country Fair
8/10/2013 Springfield, IL @ Illinois State Fair (with STYX)
8/17/2013 Columbus, IN @ Mill Race Park
8/18/2013 Sterling Heights, MI @ Freedom Hill Amp.
8/23/2013 Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Concert Pavilion
9/13/2013 Jacksonville, OR @ Britt Pavilion
9/21/2013 Chandler, AZ @ Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino

STYX DATES:
5/31/2013 Gadsden, AL @ Gadsden Riverfest
6/01/2013 Baton Rouge, LA @ L’Auberge Casino Hotel
6/07/2013 New Buffalo, MI @ Four Winds Casino
6/08/2013 Sterling Heights, MI @ Freedom Hill Amph.
6/22/2013 Ft Dodge, IA @ Shellabration
6/25/2013 Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion
6/29/2013 Traverse City, MI @ National Cherry Fest
7/02/2013 Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest
7/03/2013 Naperville, IL @ Ribfest
7/05/2013 Ashland, KY @ Summer Motion Fest
7/19/2013 Cheyenne, WY @ Cheyenne Frontier Days
7/25/2013 Union Grove, WI @ Racine County Fair
7/27/2013 London, Ontario @ Rock the Park,
7/28/2013 Columbus, OH @ Ohio State Fair (w/ REO Speedwagon)
8/01/2013 Saratoga, CA @ mountain Winery (w/ special guest Don Felder)
8/02/2013 Costa Mesa, Ca @ OC Fair at Pacific Amphitheatre
8/07/2013 Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest (w/ Foreigner)
8/10/2013 Springfield, IL @ Illinois State Fair
8/12/2013 Indianapolis, IN @ Indiana State Fair
8/16/2013 Imperial, NE @ Chase County Fair and Expo
8/17/2013 Baker, MT @ Fallon County Fair
8/18/2013 Littleton, CO @ The Hudson Gardens
8/22/2013 Newport, RI @ Newport Yachting Center
8/23/2013 Baltimore, MD @ Pier Six Pavilion (w/ REO Speedwagon)
8/24/2013 ncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena (w/ REO Speedwagon)
8/29/2013 Hampton Beach, NH @ Casino Ballroom.
9/27/2013 Hot Springs, AR @ 2013 Legends Balloon Rally
9/28/2013 Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
10/18/2013 Williamsport, PA @ Community Arts Center
10/19/2013 Englewood, NJ @ Bergen P.A.C.
10/20/2013 New Brunswick, NJ @ the State Theatre
11/17/2013 Montreal, Quebec @ Olympia Theatre

TED NUGGENT DATES:
(with Laura Wilde)
5/12 South Bend, IN @ Club Fever (Ted Solo)
5/16/2013 Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre (Ted Solo)
7/11/2013 Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
7/12/2013 Wendover, NV @ Peppermill Concert Hall (Ted Solo)
7/13/2013 Agoura Hills, CA @ The Canyon Club
7/14/2013 Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
7/15/2013 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
7/16/2013 Anaheim, CA @ City National Grove of Anaheim
7/18/2013 Santa Ynez, CA @ Chumash Casino (Ted Solo)
7/19/2013 Tacoma, WA @ Emerald Queen Casino (Ted Solo)
7/20/2013 Tacoma, WA @ Emerald Queen Casino (Ted Solo)
7/21/2013 Jackson, CA @ Jackson Rancheria Casino (Amphitheatre) (Ted Solo)
7/24/2013 Aspen, CO @ Belly Up
7/25/2013 Englewood, CO @ Ogden Theatre
7/26/2013 Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom
7/28/2013 Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium
7/30/2013 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
7/31/2013 Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room
8/01/2013 Columbus, OH @ LC Pavillion
8/02/2013 Detroit, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/03/2013 Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion
8/04/2013 Akron, NY @ Braun’s Concert Cove (Ted Solo)
8/06/2013 New Haven, CT @ Toad’s Place
8/11/2013 Hampton Beach, NH @ Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
8/12/2013 Portland, ME @ Asylum
8/14/2013 Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penn’s Peak
8/15/2013 Verona, NY @ Turning Stone Casino (Ted Solo)
8/16/2013 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
8/17/2013 Richmond, VA @ The National
8/22/2013 Houston, TX @ House of Blues
8/23/2013 Biloxi, MS @ Hard Rock Live (Ted Solo)

________________________________________________________________________

.

LINKS:
.

REO SPEEDWAGON : speedwagon.com

_____________________________________________

STYX : styxworld.com

_____________________________________________

TED NUGENT : tednugent.com

_____________________________________________

ROCK TO THE RESCUE : rocktotherescue.net

_____________________________________________

MUSICIAN PHOTO JOURNAL :

_________________________________________________________________