Post by Sugarmama on Feb 24, 2008 3:24:44 GMT -5
Misunderstood Kid Rock pleases Coliseum crowd
By Devin Grant
Special to The Post and Courier
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Kid Rock just might be the most misunderstood guy in entertainment. Known to many for his dust-ups with Waffle House patrons and spats with fellow musician Tommy Lee, Rock (born Robert James Ritchie) has made a name for himself as a celebrity bad boy in the tabloids.
Fans tell a different story though. Just ask Emily Bailes, a full-time student who drove down from Columbia to catch Rock's "Rock 'N' Roll Revival Tour" at the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday night. Bailes, who was with her stepmother, Melody, and her father, Joe, was one of a lucky few who ended up in the pit at the front of the crowd. Earlier in the afternoon the Bailes family happened upon Rock and his crew playing basketball near the Coliseum. "I had a handmade poster, and I said, 'Hey Kid,' and he came over to the fence and signed it for me," gushed Emily, who considers herself a big fan. Rock signed other autographs and posed for a picture with Melody before returning to his game.
For anyone still wondering if Rock is all attitude and no talent, those notions were put to rest during Saturday night's show. Opening with the title track to his current album, "Rock 'N' Roll Jesus," Rock performed hits from throughout his career, including "Cowboy," "Picture," and "Half Your Age," a song that takes a dig at ex-wife Pamela Anderson. Particularly good was "All Summer Long," which incorporated riffs from Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London." "Lowlife," another tune from Rock's new CD, found the artist poking fun at the media's pre-conceived image of him.
Rock is one of the few artists that can segue from rock to rap to country, and still sound credible doing so. Backed by his Twisted Brown Trucker Band, Rock also paid tribute to a couple of his idols, bringing Reverend Run and Dickey Betts out on stage.
During the second set, Reverend Run, formerly of Run-DMC, practically stole the show from Rock on classic hits such as "Rock Box," "You Be Illin'," and the famous cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."
Ending the night with a rendition of "Bawitdaba," Rock left a crowd of more 6,000 thoroughly satisfied.
Contact Devin Grant at chucktowncritic@yahoo.com
By Devin Grant
Special to The Post and Courier
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Kid Rock just might be the most misunderstood guy in entertainment. Known to many for his dust-ups with Waffle House patrons and spats with fellow musician Tommy Lee, Rock (born Robert James Ritchie) has made a name for himself as a celebrity bad boy in the tabloids.
Fans tell a different story though. Just ask Emily Bailes, a full-time student who drove down from Columbia to catch Rock's "Rock 'N' Roll Revival Tour" at the North Charleston Coliseum on Saturday night. Bailes, who was with her stepmother, Melody, and her father, Joe, was one of a lucky few who ended up in the pit at the front of the crowd. Earlier in the afternoon the Bailes family happened upon Rock and his crew playing basketball near the Coliseum. "I had a handmade poster, and I said, 'Hey Kid,' and he came over to the fence and signed it for me," gushed Emily, who considers herself a big fan. Rock signed other autographs and posed for a picture with Melody before returning to his game.
For anyone still wondering if Rock is all attitude and no talent, those notions were put to rest during Saturday night's show. Opening with the title track to his current album, "Rock 'N' Roll Jesus," Rock performed hits from throughout his career, including "Cowboy," "Picture," and "Half Your Age," a song that takes a dig at ex-wife Pamela Anderson. Particularly good was "All Summer Long," which incorporated riffs from Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" and Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London." "Lowlife," another tune from Rock's new CD, found the artist poking fun at the media's pre-conceived image of him.
Rock is one of the few artists that can segue from rock to rap to country, and still sound credible doing so. Backed by his Twisted Brown Trucker Band, Rock also paid tribute to a couple of his idols, bringing Reverend Run and Dickey Betts out on stage.
During the second set, Reverend Run, formerly of Run-DMC, practically stole the show from Rock on classic hits such as "Rock Box," "You Be Illin'," and the famous cover of Aerosmith's "Walk This Way."
Ending the night with a rendition of "Bawitdaba," Rock left a crowd of more 6,000 thoroughly satisfied.
Contact Devin Grant at chucktowncritic@yahoo.com
