Hollywood Vampires, Live Full Show

The Hollywood Vampires played Portugal recently and the show was professionally shot. Since I didn't get the see the band when they came through my town earlier this month (and Joe Perry was sick anyway) this is a good substitute. This show is full of cover tunes from bands like T. Rex, The Who, Fleetwood Mac and David Bowie. Good stuff!

Comments

[Him]

Not to hijack a thread before it even starts . . . and let me apologize in advance if this seems like the long-winded musings of a rusty tool belt. I want to ask Ace something: how does this band compare--do you think or know, depending on whether or not you have seen them--to a show like Raiding the Rock Vault in Vegas? The question is open to others, natch.

Obviously, there is a bit more star power with the likes of Cooper and Perry, and the interest factor with Depp (not that I am suggesting people like Shortino or Boals aren't great musicians). I just wonder though.

When I head the first few notes of "21st Century Boy" (at about the 8:00 mark) it sounded, well, spirited but off. I won't even begin to explain what I felt when I heard "Whole Lotta Love" (around the 34:00 mark).

I know this is a live performance. And they all seem to be having a good-to-great time. To me, Cooper can do no wrong (I mean, I already posted that I like _ . . . Goes to Hell_!). Perry is an elder statesman of rock. DeLeo put up with Weiland. Henriksen got to play with Doro in the waning days of Warlock. And, Depp? Well, he seems like he has his heart in the right place. I could go on with the roster, but you get my point.

I mean, heck, they even got Bernie Taupin to pen their official "about" tone poem on their official page?! That's gotta' count for something in their bid to celebrate the "club" that Cooper started in the 70s (the dues for some members, hence the name, was a bit steep).

I totally get that some people want to spend 25 bones on a branded tote, no less the extra scratch for VIP packages. I just wonder what this pastiche is about, beyond them having fun. And I use the word _pastiche_ deliberately. It is imitation meant to celebrate the music and the musicians they cover, of which there is no doubt. But where does this fall in the continuum of bands and shows out there--Last in Line, Raiding the Rock Vault (again), Brit Floyd, Hell's Belles, "Profits" of Rage--that are doing the same thing?

I guess, to bring my scribbling to a point, that I would prefer to pay $35 to see Shortino and Boals than to see this. Even as I love the spirit of the idea, I am having trouble with the execution.

Help me out here. Discuss . . . or ignore.

[Ace Steele]

The Vampires kinda blow Raiding the Rock Vault away.

Not to bag on them, because I really do like the RTRV show, but aside from Heart's Howard Leese, it's all really "C List" musicians... while the Vampires are 75% A -List guys...

If you do want to see "Raiding The Rock Vault" , you better hurry... It's closing it's show at the Tropicana July 31st.

"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Raiding the Rock Vault” to End Tropicana Las Vegas Residency, July 31

LAS VEGAS (July 16, 2016) – “Raiding the Rock Vault” will end its residency at The Tropicana Las Vegas on Sunday, July 31. The production has performed at the property since 2014, when it relocated from Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino – formerly LVH – Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, where it was launched in 2013. Tickets for the final performances are now on sale at: http://trop.lv/TLVRockVault

“We’ve had an exceptional run at The Tropicana,” said producer Sir Harry Cowell. “Since our debut in Las Vegas, the enthusiasm and dedication of our fans has been nothing short of incredible.”

Eric Puhl, entertainment manager at The Tropicana commented on the show’s departure by saying, “We thank ‘Raiding the Rock Vault’ and their entire team for a wonderful run at the Tropicana Las Vegas. We wish them well in their future endeavors.”

“Raiding the Rock Vault” stars Howard Leese [Lead Guitar] (Heart), Robin McAuley [Lead Vocals] (MSG, Survivor), Paul Shortino [Lead Vocals] (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Jay Schellen [Drums] (Badfinger, Asia), Andrew Freeman [Lead Vocals and Guitars] (Lynch Mob, The Offspring), Michael T. Ross [Keyboards] (Lita Ford, Hardline), Hugh McDonald [Bass] (Bon Jovi), Mark Boals [Lead Vocals] (Dokken, Ted Nugent), and vocalists Stephanie Calvert (Starship) and Cian Coey (Meat Loaf)."

[Him]

Appreciate the reply, Ace. Always respect your two cents.

And thanks for the note re: the end of the show. Regardless the ranking, I found it to be a fun way to pass a couple of hours in Vegas. And, God knows, that money would have been gone a lot faster if I was on the casino floor!

Still hope to meet you one day in Sin City.

[Steverox]

Oh man, i am in Vegas next week and was going to see RTRV again! Oh well. I'm no guitar hero, but Doug Aldrich (who I know has only done a few of their shows lately) is not C list, right?

So what rock show - other than Rock of Ages - should I go see now? Suggestions?

[Metalboy!]

Yeah, Ace! We really do appreciate your insider's view, though I'd say it's worth more than 2 cents, HIM... How about PRICELESS?! Sheesh!

You are correct, Steverox... Doug Aldrich ain't no "C" lister, though, to be fair to Ace, he didn't mention Aldrich in his list. And, Ace, I don't think Boals should be considered a "C" lister, either. He was lead vocalist for Malmsteen helping to pull down platinum for the "Trilogy" album. Boals was also lead singer in Billionaire's Boys Club. I would like to think he would at least qualify as a "B" lister, eh, Ace?

[Steverox]

Ah, you're right Metalboy, I totally missed that the current lineup was listed in Ace's post. My apologies to all. When I saw that show last year, it was Howard L. and Doug A. on guitars, hence my question. I really loved the show and the cast was gracious with autographs and small talk after the show, it was a great evening!

[Ace Steele]

I didn't mean to dis any of the musicians in RTRV... as they are all wonderful musicians, & a few of them are my friends, like Angel/Lita Ford keyboard player Michael T. Ross. I was just saying that the Vampires are made up of Legends like Alice & Joe Perry... bonfide names, while RTRV has great players like Howard Leese & had Doug Aldrich, I don't even know who the guy who replaced Doug is... Doug's name just isn't on the same tier as Joe Perry's... even though personally, Whitesnake's "Good To Be Bad" featuring Aldrich, is far & away my favorite WS record.... Don't take what I said as a slight to any of the Vault guys..It wasn't meant that way.

[Metalboy!]

Gotcha, Ace! I figured you know some of them. My bad for misunderstanding.

And the only thing I can figure out about Johnny Depp being in the picture is he just adores these guys and they, him, plus I'm gonna guess, he's underwriting the whole thing, since he's worth more than Joe Perry AND Alice Cooper combined.

[Metalboy!]

Well, also I'm gonna guess Depp is doing it for all the reasons any red blooded Rock & Roller would if he could afford it -- to be a Rockstar!... Which of course, he never will be, but at least he can have all the authentic trappings.

AND he gets to live out what he walked away from when he quit one of THE Greatest American Rock & Roll Bands -- Rock City Angels!