Sometimes an artist grows on you over the years – and sometimes it happens for no particular reason than the music is good and it resonates. For me Bob Seger is one of those artists. I knew of Bob Seger early as older siblings of friends were into the “Live Bullet” LP and that made him cool. But even back they I ‘got’ the music – a mix of straight ahead/heavy rock with R&B, Funk, Soul, Motown and country (especially later on).
Live Bullet is one of the GREAT live albums of all time and it revealed the honest passion Bob Seger has for giving all on stage. Great band have this trait and it tends to breed very loyal fans. Bob certainly has those. Then there is the “Detroit” thing. We here grew up with Detroit TV on cable since forever (and London, Ontario Had Cable TV since forever – 13 channels mind you, but almost everyone I know had it not too deep into the 1970′s, if not the very late 1960′s). London Ontario “gets” Detroit and is still populated by masses of Tires and Red Wing fans. And Bob Seger used to play here . A lot. I know people that saw at their High School back in the early days. I saw Bob back in the late 1970′s here and her was great.
For a while I though he had ‘gone commercial’ with all the hits and the country influence (particularly the “Fire Lake” LP – I had liked country early in my life, and like it now, but HATED back in the early 80′s, LOL). Well bob’s commercial stuff and his country stuff are all right with me now and I was pleased back in 2007 to snag a stage-side ticket to see him at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto on the day of the show! No time to go home and get a camera so I only had memories of a show that blew we totally away with it’s energy, passion and musicianship!! Since then I HAD to see Bob again, and HAD to document it.
So fast forward to 2011 and Bob is on tour – I try for last minute tickets for Toronto – no luck – no release of up-close seats on the day of the show. SO eventually I convince myself I gotta see him in Detroit and grab a great seat for the Saturday night show of the three nigh Palace of Auburn Hills stand. I am happy.
Then Bob announces a London show – so I just had to see that one too! And, yes, I was able to document BOTH to my hearts content! Starting with Detroit – the home of rock and roll! From meeting such friendly people tailgating outside and then ending up back stage legitimately before the show (not a meet & greet, but walked inches away from Sax-God Alto Reed, and I said nothing to him as I gave him the benefit of doubt that he was in “pre-show mode”) it was awesome! Here are the pics – ALL of these will open to a larger image – just hit back to return…
Bassist Chris Campbell, who has been with Bob since 1969!
More Bob.
He’s getting into it – so is everyone!! The Detroit crowd is going bonkers!
Sax-God Alto Reed doing Timpani duties – note the slow shutter speed I as able to get away with!
Lead Guitarist Mark Chatfield (who, if you can believe it use to be in the 1970′s Cincinnati band “The Godz”):
Bob!
I was there because I wanted the Real Thing!
A very grateful Bob – he was blown away early on in the show as his 16 year old daughter joined the female backup singers while his 15 year old son joined the horn section on sax! You could tell it was a complete surprise to Bob and he was visibly touched (as was his daughter).
This is during Travelling Man/Beautiful Loser – what a powerful song pair!
Drummer Don Brewer (who was an original Grand Funk Railroad member) kicked serious ass!
The very brief intermission allowed me to weakly recreated the classic Detroit rock ‘n’ Roll photo from the back of KISS Alive 1 – except with out people posing with band sings or having Red Hot Chile Pepper’s drummer Chad Smith in the shot:
Sax-God Reed doing Maracas duty!
And back on the BIG Baritone – now THAT is cool!!!
Bob!
You could really tell how much Bob really appreciates the GREAT band he has!
In-To-It!
At the Piano:
Turn the Page!!!
It’s great to see a 66 year old rock out like this!!
I heard him remark in an interview how the shows got easier as the tour moving along – now only if Bob could give up the cigarettes!!
See, Rock ‘n’ Roll definitely keeps you young!
Alto!
Backup singers Shaun Murphy, Barbara Payton, and Laura Creamer:
Don taking a well deserved bow!
Motor City Horns: John Rutherford, Mark Byerly, Keith Kaminski, Bob Jensen:
Silver Bullet Band member since 1980 Craig Frost:
Let it Rock (no he didn’t play that)!
Bouncin’ of each other musically:
Hey Dee-Troit!
Soul baby Soul!
Gotta see these guys while you can – I swear some classic rock from our era will be enjoyed hundreds of years down the road. Its that good!
Against The Wind…
Now the perspective I had in London:
The singers:
Bob seemed a little looser at the London show – maybe there is a lot of pressure with those home town gigs with all the media and friends and family.
This was like “Hey London, lets have some fun!”
Passion crosses international borders!
Big Sax-God Alto Reed and Craig Frost:
Bob on the keys (loved how people too double duties, as I showed with alto on other instruments – Craig Frost played some B-3, as did one of the Horn guys, and backup singer Laura Creamer pounded the big bass drum on “Roll Me Away”):
Mark digging Craig:
Bob digging Mark:
More Sax!
Mark just had to let her know that he was in The Godz, and that “The Godz are Rock and Roll Machines” – She seems impressed!
Alto portrait:
And another perspective:
Wailing!
This band has really great chemistry!
I like this wide angle perspective:
London audience was great – Bob really appreciated us!! Here is rhythm guitarist Jim Brown (who wrote “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” – so touring for passion not money!) :
Pouring it on for the encores!
Bob flew home after each show and got the kids up for scool – what a transition that must be. And great to see such a devoted Rock ‘n’; Roll dad!
To the band:
Night Moves:
Wide angle Chatfield:
Wide angle Sax-God Alto Reed!
Who is into it!
A lot!
I like this perspective.
What a great pair of show from a beloved artist who may be on the verge of retirement!
