REO Speedwagon, Kansas & 38 Special
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
September 7, 2007
Bonner Springs, Kansas
by Jeb Wright
September 7, 2007 marked the end of an era for citizens in
and around Kansas City. Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, formerly known as
Sandstone Amphitheater, ceased operations after the triple bill of 38 Special,
Kansas and REO Speedwagon. Live Nation chose not to renew their contract to
book shows at the outdoor venue and chances are no one is going to pick up the
ball. Rumor has it the entire area will be bulldozed down and a casino will be
built in its place. This is a huge loss for Midwest rock fans as Sandstone (I
refuse to call the place Verizon Wireless) was loved by area rock fans.
Nestled into the Bonner Springs hillside, Sandstone was a
no frills venue. No bells or whistles, simply a place where you could get a
beer and a hot dog and spread your blanket out on the hill, staking your claim
for the evenings entertainment. For those who don't mind spending a few extra
bucks there is a reserved seating area closer to the stage.
As I walked into the outdoor arena for what could be the
final time, my mind raced back to all of the memories I would take with me on my
way out this evening. I saw Judas Priest and Black Sabbath play on the same
stage during Ozzfest. I saw acts as diverse as Ted Nugent, Lynyrd Skynyrd,
Poison, Steve Miller, George Thorogood, Ozzy, Kansas, REO, Shooting Star, Eddie
Money, Foghat and ELO here.
I was on the hill as people were setting their blankets on
fire and hurling them around their head like they were trying to lasso steers
from hell during the first Ozzy retirement gig. The same show my buddy and I
watched as a drunk chick looked us in the eye as she performed fellatio on her
boyfriend only a few feet away while Ozzy cranked out "War Pigs." I remember
thinking that it must be the amorous couple's song as the make out session
coincided with the ominous opening notes.
Poison marked the first time Classic Rock Revisited was
allowed backstage at an event. We met Bret Michaels and got to stand at the
side of the stage. Girls were flashing their boobs at me hoping I could hook
them up with a backstage pass. I sat through a downpour during the Scorpions,
Deep Purple and DIO set that saw half the crowd leave. When the show started
Ronnie James Dio had everyone from the hill come down to the reserved seat area
and I got my picture taken with Ronnie after the show. We were throwing the
heavy metal hand sign that Dio invented and he corrected me telling me to be
sure to tuck my thumb in.
During Steve Miller's set I was dumped by my girlfriend.
We sat on the hill and were holding each other and making out to "Space Cowboy"
one minute and then I was a single man the next. There are too many memories to
share in detail. Kansas performing "Dazed & Confused," Ted Nugent making his
return from the Damn Yankees stopping mid-song, smiling and saying, "Missed me
didn't ya?." Eddie Money once stole my sharpie backstage and then there was the
weird guy in spandex at the Twisted Sister show.
I suppose life goes on but Sandstone will be missed. Even
with the sadness at the end of an era I knew this night would be like every
other night I have attended at Sandstone. A packed house of classic rock music
lovers showed up early, partied and rocked hard all night long. I was proud to
see Sandstone go out with a bang. 38 Special, Kansas and REO Speedwagon put on
a show that included over a dozen FM Classic Rock Radio staples.
38 Special Set List
Rockin' Into the Night / Chain Lightning / Wild-Eyed Southern Boys / You Keep
Runnin' Away / Help Somebody / Fantasy Girl / Medley: Back to Paradise -
Somebody Like You - Teacher, Teacher - Rough Housin' - Stone Cold Believer -
Like No Other Night - Second Chance / Caught Up In You / Hold On Loosely /
Living in the USA/Travelin' Band
The Wild-Eyed Southern Boys took the stage and the venue
was already three-quarters full. I took my kids with me to the event and we
took our place at stage left and watched as 38 opened with the classic "Rockin'
Into the Night." Don Barnes sounded great and led the band through all of their
hits. Vocalist Donnie Van Zant has pretty much become a sideman to Barnes,
however, his long hair and black cowboy hat are synonymous with the band's
image. VZ is a short little guy with a huge smile. He shined on the song "Help
Somebody" which he originally recorded with his brother Johnny from Lynyrd
Skynyrd. "Fantasy Girl" got the crowd going and was followed by a huge medley
consisting of seven of their greatest hits. In an opening slot a medley
suffices but the band would have been better off playing full versions of
"Somebody Like You" and "Like No Other Night" and leaving the rest out of the
set. The band saved the best for nearly last as "Caught Up in You" and "Hold On
Loosely" brought the crowd to their feet. 38 Special closed their set with a
rousing version of "Living in the USA" which segued into the CCR classic
"Travelin' Band."
Kansas Set List
I Can Fly/Desperate Times / Belexes / Sparks of the Tempest / Paradox / Miracles
Out of Nowhere / Icarus II / Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel) / Point of Know
Return / Portrait (He Knew) / Dust in the Wind / Carry On Wayward Son
Next up were home state favorites Kansas. The band has
been on the road all year promoting their latest release Works in Progress.
The five-piece band consists of original members Richard Williams on guitar,
Phil Ehart on drums and Steve Walsh on lead vocals and keyboards. Joining them
are longtime stalwart Billy Greer on bass and vocals and recent addition (for
the second time in the band's career) David Ragsdale on violin. After the band
jammed through a combination of "I Can Fly" and "Desperate Times" they took the
crowd all the way back to their 1974 debut with "Belexes" which also included
the instrumental portion of "Lightning's Hand" from Point of Know Return.
The Kansas diehards in the audience responded loudly to the music and Greer
addressed the crowd by saying, "We don't get to say this very often but good
evening and welcome to Kansas!" With that the show went on featuring five songs
from 1977's Point of Know Return. The band is focusing on the album this
tour as they are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the triple-platinum
classic's release. "Miracles Out of Nowhere" was one of the strongest tunes
played as Walsh and Greer shared the vocals, the bass player taking the solemn
lines and Walsh interjecting emotive responses. Walsh was on this particular
evening. The often morose singer was caught smiling several times and when
approached onstage by Ragsdale the duo jammed with unabashed excitement.
The best musical event of the day came when Kansas played
"Icarus II" back-to-back with the original "Icarus (Borne on Wings of Steel.)"
These two songs show the musicianship in the band. At times Kansas' talent is
simply breathtaking. The band may be known for their pop hits but they are
truly talented musicians.
By the time Kansas got around to playing "Point of Know
Return" and "Portrait (He Knew)" the entire crowd were on their feet singing
along. On stage, they responded by raising the energy level and delivering a
great show. The encore, predictably, consisted of "Dust in the Wind" and "Carry
On Wayward Son." Upon hitting the last note of the classic song drummer Ehart
let loose of his drumsticks sending them flying toward the heavens. The band
waved at the crowed, took in the mass of humanity, smiled and left the stage.
REO Speedwagon Set List
Find Your Own Way Home / Take It On The Run / Keep Pushing / I Needed To Fall /
Tough Guys / I Can't Fight This Feeling / Dangerous Combination / Golden Country
/ Back on the Road Again / Smiling in The End / Don't Let Him Go / Keep On
Loving You / Time For Me to Fly / Roll With The Changes / Ridin' The Storm Out
/ 157 Riverside Avenue
REO Speedwagon is on the road promoting their first
release of new material in over a decade. The album,
Find Your Own Way Home,
features several well written songs that could become arsenals in the band's
live set with a little cooperation from radio, the media and long term REO fans
demanding to hear the new tunes. The best of the bunch is the upcoming single
"Smiling in the End." This tune has the classic REO sound and feel of
High Infidelity. The band also
cranked out the title track, "Dangerous Combination" and "I Needed to Fall" from
the new disc. Cronin must have been a snake oil salesman in his past life as he
takes every opportunity to point out the strengths of the new album. The album cover art is also
stationed below the drum riser and when a new tune is played it lights up
becoming the focal point of the stage.
REO is smart enough not to bunch the new tunes together
and send everyone running to the merchandise stand, beer line or porta-potties.
They sandwich in the new songs between classics like "Take It on The Run,"
"Tough Guys" and "I Can't Fight This Feeling." The result was that the crowd
listened intently to the new material and while some sat down, they did at least
stayed in their seats and check out the new songs.
Speedwagon played plenty of the classic material to work
the REO friendly crowd into a cheering mob. None was better received than the
classic tune from 1972, "Golden Country." The band does not always play this
song but when they do it is a special event. The hard rocking song is an
in-your-face statement to anyone who says REO is a ballad band. "Golden
Country" is one of the most solid rock songs of all time and tonight it was
played with fire and passion from those on stage.
"Back on the Road Again" followed a sizzling bass solo by
Bruce Hall. The evening ended with "Time For Me to Fly," "Roll with the
Changes," "Ridin' the Storm Out" and "157 Riverside Avenue." Very few bands can
blast out back-to-back-to-back-to-back tunes that have this much energy and
excitement to them. The crowd sang along with every word and listened between
songs to every Kevin Cronin story (we are glad to report they are all knew this
tour). Speedwagon is a great concert band and never disappoints live and tonight
was no exception. The capacity crowd cheered and sang through the entire show.
Backstage the band met with a large group of fans and took
time to sign autographs and take photos. The tour manager finally had to break
up the show declaring loudly, "Come on guys. It is already well into
tomorrow." So it was. We headed off to the highway and the three bands headed
off to St. Louis to do it all over again the next day.
As I climbed the steep incline to the top of the hill I
could not help but think back over they years I have been coming to this little place in
Bonner Springs, Kansas. Once atop the mound I stared down at the
crew breaking down the lighting rig. I scanned the grass general admission area
being cleaned by the employees and looked up to the sky. If this was to be the
last time I stood in Sandstone Amphitheater I wanted to remember it just like
this.
I looked at my watch and it was 1:30 in the morning. I
turned away and headed to the parking area where my car was the only one left in
the lot. The emptiness of the venue was emotional as this is how it would be
from this day forward. We got in the car and fired up the engine. I shut off
the radio, tired from a huge day of rock and roll. We drove in silence taking
with us one more wonderful memory of Sandstone Amphitheater.
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