|
 Hard
Rock Cafe Grand Opening w/ Velvet Revolver!
Check out Photos from this event.
After years of witnessing on TV great concerts at various Hard Rock Cafe
locations across America, blessed with a theater/concert stage, it was time for
the greatest city in the world to have it owns Midtown venue where grand music manifesto’s
could take place. In addition to the BB King Blues Club, bands can look forward
to playing a new limelight venue located on the “Crossroads’ of the World”. Formerly
on 57th street for 22 years, the new location in the old yet historic Paramount
Theater is a true showcase of rock history of an unmatched collection of Jimmy Hendrix,
John Lennon, Bruce Springsteen and Madonna relics.
After it’s “Grand Guitar Smash” which took place at the official opening featuring
the destruction of 100 Gibson Guitars, hosted by Steve van Zandt and Brian Wilson,
on August 12th, it was time for a grand opening party on Saturday September 11th,
featuring America’s new super group
Velvet Revolver featuring former Guns & Roses members Slash, Duff Mckagen,
Matt Sorum and Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots.
If someone knows how to throw a party, leave it to the Hard Rock Cafe. Witnessed
by thousands, standing behind the barricaded fences in unseasonably hot balmy weather,
ushered by New York’s finest, an endless parade of celebrities walked the Red Carpet
under bright camera and TV lights while cheered on by adoring fans. The official
dedication of the Cafe was placed in the hands of no one less than Reverend Run
from the legendary hip-hop group Run DMC and loud cheers erupted when the huge guitar
was lit over Broadway. In addition the night’s line-up of stars included Steve Van
Zandt (Sopranos/Springsteen), Ace Frehley (Kiss), DJ Mark Ronson, Paul Gibson, The
New York Mets led by Mike Piazza, Elvis Costello, Janet Dickinson (America’s Top
Model Show), Constantine Maroulis (American Idol) and the entire Fox News 5 anchor
cast including the ever wacky news reporter Penny. The star of the red carpet was
definitely Ace Frehley who from the moment leaving his limo with a hot young blond
on his arm, could hardly walk from allegedly too much alcohol (as Gene Simmons would
say” Some people never change!”).
Those hundreds of lucky contest winners, flown in from around the world and the
usual media, invited to the Grand Opening, were generously rewarded by the Hard
Rock Cafe with extravagant food buffets, endless drinks, a memorabilia gift bag
and a great concert by Velvet Revolver on the stage of the former Paramount Theater.
At 11 pm the packed theater went dark while Velvet Revolver edged it way on stage
under deafening applause and cheers. Where most former members of “super groups”
fail to revive their careers, Velvet Revolver has all the right ingredients to sustain
a long and healthy livelihood. Great songs, excellent musicians, charisma and a
great stage show are the formula components to make it big. With two songs featured
in Hollywood movies “The Hulk” and “The Italian Job, and top-selling hit album “Contraband”,
including the hit single ”Slither”, no introduction was needed for this new hot
commodity in today’s music line-up. Playing loud, hard and fierce, guitar players
Slash and Dave Kushner ran across the stage, backed solidly by bass player Duff
Mckagen and a replacement drummer for Matt Sorum who had a hand injury (he joined
the band later on stage during a ballad). In his trademark style, lead singer Scott
Weiland paced throughout the stage, hand on his hips, towering on the monitors like
a wild animal seeking its prey with blood thirsty eyes. In all skin-tight leather
trousers, studs and a German officer’s cap, he made us all realize, he is one of
the contemporary few rock singers pulling off show comparable to rock legends such
as Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler and Robert Plant. A refreshing shift of qualities,
badly needed considering the current legion of faceless rock n’ roll front men standing
in a t-shirt and jeans on stage, without breaking out a sweat. Scott Weiland works
hard on stage, and throughout the night, plush towels were thrown at him to dry
his profuse sweating, common to a serious rock star working the crowd. With Duff
strutting his stuff, bass guitar low on the hips and Slash- cigarette hanging from
his mouth, belting out ferocious yet melodic solo’s, it was a perfect night of good
old fashioned rock n’ roll.
The band played all the goodies from their repertoire, under bright lights, a huge
Vega-like logo, sirens and sound effects, including Slither, Fall to Pieces, It’s
So Easy, I Used To Love Her, Dirty Little Thing, Set Me Free and the Pink Floyd
Cover “Money” from the “Italian Job” movie soundtrack. In addition, Mr. Brownstone
from the Guns and Roses catalog was played during the encore to the enchantment
of the feral crowd.
Velvet Revolver taught
us this evening a simple ABC of how” Rock N Roll is done Right”. Not many bands
out there can match up to the showman ship and heartfelt musicianship showcased
by these seasoned yet far from jaded journeymen. Thank you for showing us again
how it is done. American Idol made us almost forget.
|