Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://www.dannyzeliskopresents.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: Thursday September 21st, 2023
Tour: On Tour Forever
It is interesting how Saturday Night Live has influenced music. It started with John Belushi & Dan Aykroyd with a Blues Bothers skit that expanded into a movie and album. Then came Wayne’s World with Garth & Wayne that did skits on popular music that turned into a movie that help raise Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” back into the charts. Then came Will Ferrell & Christopher Walken with the quintessential funny version of Blue Öyster Cult‘s popular song “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” with “I Need More Cow Bell”. I was at one of BOC’s concerts in the past that Eric Bloom came out with a cow bell and played it at the start of the song.
Note: The Head East poster that was a replica of one of their album covers was pulled by Danny Zelisko’s personal collect of rock music memorabilia.
It seemed that the audience really enjoyed the show. It was great to see the audience doing multiple standing ovations for both bands.
If you attend a Danny Zelisko Presents concert at the Celebrity Theatre and really want to get a piece of rock memorability, then bring your credit card and bid on the signed guitar that is auctioned off at each show. The guitar is signed by the members of the band(s). All of the proceeds go to one of Phoenix’s great charities, St. Mary’s Food Bank. They use the money to help feed the less fortunate people of the valley. For every dollar collected, it helps feed 7 meals.
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult (BOC) is an American rock band formed on Long Island in Stony Brook, New York, in 1967. The band was founded in the late ’60s with members Eric Bloom (vocals, stun guitar), Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser (lead guitar, vocals). They are currently joined by Danny Miranda (bass, backing vocals), Richie Castellano (keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Jules Radino (drums).
Tonight’s show was classic BOC. We got all of their greatest hits performed by amazing musicians. From the start with “The Red & the Black” to the climax of the main set with “Godzilla” and “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”. The setlist was a mixture of songs from multiple albums that covered all of the past 5 decades.
About 1/3 of the show, Eric moved behind the keyboards. During this time, Richie would come out and play rhythm guitar. Buck was constant, he played his headless guitar with incredible skill. Danny on bass and drummer Julas provided a solid base for all of the songs.
After a short break, they came back for a 3-song encore. During the last some, everyone (except drummer) came out together and formed a wall of guitarist and performed “Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll”.
I was disappointed that a number of people left prior to the encore. You pay for an entire show, so why not stay for the whole thing. Also, this was a small venue and parking was not large, so getting out of the parking lot does not take that long.
Personally, I really enjoyed hearing great classic rock music performed by very good musicians. It you love classic rock music or like BOC then I highly recommend seeing this show. You can check out if BOC is coming to a location near you on their website.
Blue Öyster Cult Social Media sites:
Website: http://www.blueoystercult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueoystercult/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BLUEOYSTERCULTofficial/featured
Blue Öyster Cult
Photos by Fred Kuhlman 2023, All Rights Reserved
Head East
Head East is an American rock band, originally from East Central Illinois. They are another great classic rock band that came out of the 70s rock music scene. It was founded by keyboardist and singer Roger Boyd. He is joined by lead guitarist Mark Murtha, lead singer and bassist Darren Walker, bassist and guitarist Greg Manahan and drummer Eddy Jones.
Head East was never a top 10 band, but instead they were just a good classic rock band with good music that was fun to listen to. They started with “Raise a Little Hell “ and “Get Up and Enjoy Yourself” They ended the main set with their biggest hits and fan favorites “Since You Been Gone” and “Never Been Any Reason”. They did an encore of another favorite, “Treat Me Right”.
The object of all starting bands is to get the crowd into the mood for the main act. Well, Head East did this. The audience was energized and wanting.
If you get the chance to see Head East, I would recommend it. They are just a fun classic rock band that will bring back the great times of the 70s and its amazing music. You can see if Head East is coming to a city near you from their website.
Head East Social Media sites:
Website: https://www.head-east.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialHeadEast
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@HeadEastOfficial/featured
Head East
Photos by Fred Kuhlman 2023, All Rights Reserved
Blue Öyster Cult Setlist (Album/Cover)
INTRO: Blade Runner (End Titles) (Vangelis song)
The Red & the Black (Tyranny and Mutation)
Before the Kiss, a Redcap (Blue Öyster Cult)
Golden Age of Leather (Spectres)
That Was Me (The Symbol Remains)
Burnin’ for You (Fire of Unknown Origin)
Cagey Cretins (Secret Treaties)
Harvest Moon (Heaven Forbid)
The Vigil (Mirrors)
(Band introduction before song)
E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) (Agents of Fortune)
Tainted Blood (The Symbol Remains)
Then Came the Last Days of May (Blue Öyster Cult)
Godzilla (Spectres)
(Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Agents of Fortune)
(Preceded by Buck Dharma guitar solo/intro)
Encore:
ME 262 (Secret Treaties)
Hot Rails to Hell (Tyranny and Mutation)
Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll (Blue Öyster Cult)
Head East Setlist (Album/Cover)
Raise a Little Hell (Trooper cover)
Get Up and Enjoy Yourself (Head East)
Love Me Tonight (Flat as a Pancake)
Elijah (Head East)
Prisoner (One Night With Head East)
Mama Let Him Play (Doucette cover)
Jefftown Creek (Flat as a Pancake)
Since You Been Gone (Russ Ballard cover)
Never Been Any Reason (Flat as a Pancake)
Encore:
Treat Me Right (Bullseye cover)
