What a party Friday night at Pine Knob Music Theatre with Sammy Hagar and the boys rocking the hill with the “Best of All Worlds Tour.” The sold-out show was indeed the Best of All World’s. The much anticipated concert of the year was finally upon us and ready to unleash with some old school Van Halen. The night kicked off with rockers Loverboy who played in front of a very nicely packed house that other opening act’s dream about. The love for Loverboy is still strong all these years later. Mike Reno and the boys kicked the night off with “Notorious” off their 1987 album “Wildside” which by the way was co-written by Jon Bon Jovi. The eight song 45-minute set had all the Loverboy classics with crowd favorite sing along like “Turn Me Loose” and “Lovin’ Every Minute of It” Mike Reno making note of the hot summer weather here in Michigan leading the sold-out crowd with “Hot Girl’s In Love” The set ended with “Working for the Weekend” Reno letting the fans know Detroit is his all-time favorite place to play.
Folks had about 25 minutes to get rehydrated and hit up the bathroom before the pavilion roof was to be blown off which may have not been a bad idea with the nasty heat Michigan has been getting this past week. Every genre and age group along with some hardcore diehards like this guy Bob from Saint Clair Shores were ready for some “Mas Tequila”
A loud roar followed by a tv montage of video clips displayed on the big screen behind Jason Bonham letting everyone know it was time to party with Detroit rock city. Taking the stage Jason Bonham along with Michael Anthony and the great Joe Satriani greeted by a thunderous roar only to be kicked up a notch when ‘Hello Baby’ rang out. Hagar takes the stage dressed in a pair of jeans and sporting his black, red rocker brewing company t-shirt along with some cool shades. By the way the beverage of choice last night was indeed Sammy’s red rocker beer and by the reactions the folks in attendance loved the rocker’s new beer. Covering events, you don’t get to rock out to your favorite tunes such the case with song’s two and three, that being “Poundcake” which started out with Satriani taking a power drill to his guitar. Getting this out of the way now Satriani is a guitar god, and a true showman on the stage a class act all around. Joe is flawless and takes command of his surroundings all while having some fun doing what he loves. All that was followed up with “Runaround” my favorite from their 1991 (F.U.C.K.) For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album.
Three songs in we don’t stand a chance, and the night had just begun. Giving you that extra layer juice the boys cranked out “There’s Only One Way to Rock” Sammy, didn’t need to sing on this one the crowd took control of that, and it was thunderous to say the least. “Are you guy’s having a good time yet” Hagar would ask this throughout the night. Hagar making note of the Michigan heat “it’s summer right” it’s “Hot Summer Nights” let’s party! A lot of highlights on the evening but one stands out with Michael Anthony igniting the crowd with “Ain’t Talkin”bout Love” dedicated to the late and greatest guitarist of all time Eddie Van Halen who passed away in 2020. At the end of the song Michael pointed up to the skies and said this is for you EDDIE!
Getting back to those highlights i mentioned, Satriani is treating everyone on this tour with “Satch Boogie” my personal favorite from Joe, just a blistering display of cord ripping showing off his masterful guitar skills. Hope someone on stage had some band-aids ready for Joe after that he’s definitely going to need them. The 23-song two-hour and 15-minute set had all the classics such as “Panama” “5150” “Judgement Day” and more. I’m pretty sure there are some voices that sound very horse the next morning so many singing along to their favorites like Sammy’s classic “Eagles Fly” cell phone lights lit up the night on this one from the front row clear up to the top of the hill. Hagar took the time to introduce the new man on the boards Australian born musician Rai Thistlethwayte who’s been a part of Satriani’s touring band for several years. His talents were on display during “Right Now” the multi-talented musician definitely brought back some memories of yester years with this one. Jason Bonham needs no words his sticks did all the talking tonight. Bonham’s drumheads displaying an image of his late and iconic dad John bonham (Led Zepplin).
The night got a little saucy for some lucky front row fans and band members (wink) during “Mas Tequila” Sammy walking out with a bottle of Tequila tipping it back, you have to stay hydrated in this weather with liquids Sammy tell the crowd while sharing the bottle with Michael Anthony who took a huge guzzle Sammy stopping him short of finishing the bottle to share with the crowd. Hagar poured shots up and down the front row giving the empty bottle to one lucky fan. During the shoot fest Sammy even caught a (red) bra from the crowd, Sammy thinking back to the old days.. smells like it, too! “Cheers to you Michigan.” Hagar dropped some sad news on the pine knob crowd letting everyone know that Aerosmith has retired from touring stating Steven Tyler can no longer sing. I respect that decision Tyler made if you can’t do it, you can’t do it. When i can no longer sing that’s what I’m doing, calling it quits. Thers’s some of you mother f$$kers out there who should have done this long time ago. That took us into “Helter Skelter” which by the way Montrose opened up for Aerosmith back in 1974 at then Cobo Arena ending their set with “Helter Skelter” only to have Aerosmith open with “Helter Skelter” after that me and Steven have been friends ever since, we wish them the best. The loudest pop of the night came when Bonham and Thistlewayte, were comparing their English and Australian accents then singing a bit of John Denever’s “Country Roads.” The noise level was deafening Hagar says, “God Bless America.”
During “Jump” Hagar displayed a very large sheet like banner that read VH with the red rocker written on it, with large hearts on it Sammy wears wraps the banner around him before signing it and give hit back. Sammy engages with his fans in more ways than one and the love and support shows for the ‘Red Rocker” The night ended with “When It’s Love.” After the set ended Led Zeppelin “Thank You” graphics were displayed brightly on stage with the band members taking a bow. Before leaving the stage like Reno mentioned, Sammy told Michigan we love coming here you guys are the greatest! The Best of All World’s tour is one of the hottest concerts of the year. The tour is still young so get out there and see what all the hype is about in a city near you. Click here for more info. Stay young America keep rocking!
Best of All World’s Tour at Pine Knob Music Theatre August 2, 2024
