Tesla
Back in 1991 I heard a similar advertisement while driving around with Chuck and Jay. Only the concert was that same night. We said, “Ah, heck, let’s do it,” and we bolted for Saginaw’s Civic Center to catch Tesla. Back then I only knew a couple of their songs (“Modern Day Cowboy” and of course all the Five Man Acoustical Jam album). Come to think of it, I have this crazy memory of singing, “Signs” over and over again with some friends to cover up the sounds of Scott puking at Jeremy’s cabin after a long night of partying.
ANYWAY. This past Thursday I went to Da Soo to check out the old 80’s rock band. The drive was nice, considering it was really blowing and snowing earlier that day. I almost thought the Bridge might be shut down. But, it was sunny and smooth sailing (it was a bit windy still). I had made a CD for the trip, as is my custom, and jammed to it for the majority of the ride. I love my music.
Tesla kicked off their set with “Coming At You Live” which featured a kicking guitar dual. The crowd of a 1,000 was on their feet and didn’t sit down the rest of the night. Dream Maker’s Theater is a pretty nice little theater. The seating and lights and feel were great. I hope to hit some more concerts there in the future.
On the way up I silently wondered if and how many covers Tesla would do. A band does cover tunes for two reasons, 1) to earn respect as an up and coming band, and 2) to pay tribute to the music they loved and inspired them to the success they have had. Tesla did their covers for reason #2. They did an Eagles tune, some Foghat, and Zepplin. Evidently they are coming out with a new cd of cover tunes. It’ll join my collection.
They played two sets of my four favorites. They played “Love Song” and “What You Give” back to back, which brought a lot of memories and memorable moments. Then they played “Song & Emotion” (their dedication to the late Steve Clark of Def Leppard) and “Heaven’s Trail (No Way Out)”. The show could have ended right there and I’d been happy.
Thankfully it didn’t. After those songs (about halfway through the first set) we made our way up to the front row. Back in my hair-days I never saw a concert unless I was in the front row. Oddly enough I found myself content 10 rows back…then I woke up and got my teenage gumption back and pressed forward! Right when we got up there some drunk chick got up on stage. She was sloshed. But, she was fast, and security had a hard time dragging her down. Then her friends tried to rescue her. What mess. Several more people made it on the stage only to say goodbye for the evening.
Let’s pause here for a couple memorable concert moments:
Memorable moment #1: I got on stage at a Damn Yankee’s concert at the Civic Center. I was so close to Nuggent…then I had to jump to escape security. These were the days before body surfing during a concert was popular, so the crowd spread when I jumped and I about killed myself. Greatness.
Memorable moment #2: I sang at a Slaughter concert. Actually, I think Slaughter was opening for Damn Yankees, or it might have been them opening for Ted Nuggent’s New Year’s Eve Whiplash Bash (if you have never been to a New Year’s Nuggent concert you should. Seriously). Weird. Have I really seen Slaughter three times? Anyway, Slaughter’s lead singer was singing away and looking down at us and he started laughing and said, “Aw, f_ _ k it, you sing it man!” And he put the mic down to me. I sang “Burning Bridges.” Awesome.
Tesla came back out and did three more songs. I said, “They can’t be done yet, they haven’t played Edison’s Medicine or Mama’s Fool yet.” They did kick out Edison’s Medicine, but they didn’t play (much to my distain) Mama’s Fool. Oh well.
Oh, and yeah, I ended up seeing someone I knew there. This always happens to me. Everywhere I go I see someone I know. It’s odd. I mean, even in like Ohio I see someone I know. I saw a guy I went to school with, Tim, there. He makes guitars in Kalkaska now. I didn’t get to talk to him, but I’ll have to pop by his myspace page and let him know I saw him there.
