2001

Bob Dylan
@ First Union Spectrum
Philadelphia, PA – November 17, 2001

Bob Dylan, three years in a row, exactly one year apart each time. Even with a great new album this time, the specialty began to ware off. Once again, Bob started off with a weak-voiced country-gospel tune. But the next few country-tinged ditties improved, and when the show went electric, things smoothed out. Love & Theft is one of Dylan’s best albums and to hear it live is good but it reminds one of Dylan’s only current problem: While he sounds like an ol’ haunted blues man on record, he sounds like a whacked-out country bumpkin live. But Zimmy was having a great time, doing great guitar solos, and gyrating around on stage. Yes, that’s right – Dylan was gettin’ down! Also, this wasn’t his fault, but our seats sucked. But, on the other hand, it was nice to see local Philly radio station WXPN, 88.5, throw together a show of this magnitude. For what he is now, the original Bobby D did not disappoint.


U2; Stereophonics)
@First Union Center
Philadelphia, PA – November, 2 2001

As the U2 comeback machine rolled on, the boys from Ireland made a stop in the City of Brotherly Love to catch up the Philly masses on their new-old sound. Going with my lovely lady-friend, the night was set for musical sincerity and passion (strictly musical passion from U2 that is). Beginning with an ethereal and strong set by the growingly talented Stereophonics (which made a nice compromise from the opening acts we could have seen: I wanted to see Garbage, my lady friend wanted to see No Doubt – in hindsight, I would have enjoyed both), U2 came on – and if you had the seats that I did, behind U2’s valentine heart shaped stage, you would have seen them sneak through underneath in Rocky-inspired robes (though that might have been a coincidence). Playing with the house lights on for the kick-off, “Elevation” got things underway, and U2 never looked back. The only hitch came when the rising screen obscured our view several times throughout the show (including during U2’s best: “Where The Streets Have No Name”) but we were appeased when Bono would run around the stage and cheer on our rockin’ spirit – I particularly got a one-on-one look with Bono, something with an artist I have never done before or since (even though I had been physically closer to other artists), and he kicked a beer cup in our direction, spritzing us with beer. Finally, as September 11th remained in the public conscience, Bono, who had earlier draped himself rather overdramatically in an American flag and somberly kneeled at the hands of fans in the front, led the audience in a powerful version of “Walk On”, as the names of the victims scrolled, projected against silhouettes of the towers. My lady friend and I were awed and stunned beyond belief. While other bands expressed American feel through blues and rock, this Irish-born band proved to be as American as well with their emotional odes to life. And of course they left Philadelphia in their Rocky robes, true champions of the people.

Aerosmith
@Tweeter Center
Camden, NJ – September 28, 2001

It was two weeks and 3 days after the worst day in the history of the country. On one hand, people were trying so damned hard to act like they could move on, and one almost feared that we were forgetting too quickly. On the other hand, there was no way we could forget. After missing the opening act, Fuel, due to the ineptitude of my friends, we settled on the Tweeter Center grass, and soon enough Aerosmith took the stage. Beginning with “Beyond Beautiful”, it seemed like Aerosmith was simply going to kick off another night in the ruts, but when the chorus kicked in, and the American flag unfurled on screen and on Joey Kramer’s drum kit, and Joe Perry broke out the Stars-and-Striped guitar, that moment of legitimate patriotism, something so rare it brings one to tears, took shape. Steven Tyler, ever one of the greatest front men in history, said it best of course: “We’re here to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of rock n’ roll”. Aerosmith strolled through their hits in intense form – maybe perhaps driven by the feeling effusing through the place. They also played a fair chunk of their new album, Just Push Play, which Tyler set up in defiance of their fans’ traditionalism: “You like the new shit? (Moderate cheers, a slight hint of boos)…You prefer the old shit? (The crowd explodes)…Fuck you! ” (The crowd cheers at the loving insult). Much like their British forebears, The Rolling Stones, the band made their way to the middle of the field to play a (literally) tight set featuring “Come Together” (which my friend John aptly commented on: “this is as close as I’ll ever see the Beatles”) and “Dream On”. Throughout the intermissions, video skits of the band played on screen, featuring the comedic appeal of guitarist Brad Whitford. Ending of course with “Train Kept A-Rolling (All Night Long)”, Aerosmith helped eased a stirred rock n’ roll soul by keeping up their American-made intensity.

AC/DC; Buckcherry)
@ First Union Spectrum
Philadelphia, PA – May 4, 2001

With a countdown unmatched in my history (save for maybe seeing Sarah Mclachlan and the first time to see Dylan), I bore witness to one of the great invocations of rock n’ roll. With a diligence unmatched in rock, Angus Young and the boys took us on an unmatched ride of sweet mayhem. When the amps are cranked so high, and the licks are so fierce, and the wails so piercing, one might not immediately think of Chuck Berry or the blues, that is, if one has no appreciation for the finer things in life. The low down sweaty and dirty charm of Ac/Dc was in full effect. The Thunder from Down Under, still vocally represented by the screech and siren of Englishman Brian Johnson, delivered the goods on everyone of their signature tunes (though later, it was all a bit lessened by the fact that in Europe, Ac/Dc broke tradition and doled out “Ride On” as a finale). Distracted slightly by a seating mishap, I nevertheless remained in spittin’ distance of Mr. Johnson and Mr. A. Young, and my good friend Jack got to shake hands with Brian himself. Of course, also of note, I attended this concert with Ed Jackson, and while it is senseless to explain any sense of relativity between Ed and the rest of life, lets leave it at Josh Todd. The leader of opening act Buckcherry, Todd frequently saluted our insanely infectious friend, as the good Mr. Jackson was the only man who stood through Buckcherry’s fair but standard set, highlighted only by Josh Todd’s back-filled tattoo of a Jack playing card, and their rousing set closing of “Lit Up”. But back to the meaning of the night: the greatest band of its genre. The impeccable, unmatched Ac/Dc. Hells Bells indeed.