![\"Kevin](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Kevin-Black-Photography-9717-300x151.jpg\")
<\/a>My favorite rock & roll comes from the 70s. Classic Rock is the title given to rock music made back in a time when musicians basically ruled the studios. So, naturally I get excited when three artists from that era come together to either promote a new collection of songs or to simply come to town to let you know they\u2019ve still got it.<\/p>\nLet me start by thanking the Smart Financial Center for creating something special. With a comfortable seating capacity of 6,400, a state of the art light show and a sound system that rocks every square foot of this gorgeous venue, I say,<\/p>\n
\u201cTurn it up and Let the Good Times Roll.\u201d<\/p>\n
The line-up, Paul Rodgers, Jeff Beck, Ann Wilson; and to me, little-known here in America, Deborah Bonham. For those of you who are saying, \u201cThese people are famous? I don\u2019t know these names.\u201d Well, keep reading, Rockers.<\/p>\n
If you haven\u2019t heard the name Ann Wilson, maybe you\u2019ve heard of the Wilson Sisters. If not, there\u2019s no doubt you\u2019ve heard of the band Heart.<\/p>\n Ann Wilson, front singer for the band, is and will probably always be known as one of the top greatest chick rock singers. In 1976, \u201cCrazy On You\u201d hit the airwaves and a star was born. Following with songs like \u201cBarracuda,\u201d \u201cMagic Man,\u201d \u201cHeartless,\u201d \u201cDreamboat Annie,\u201d \u201cStraight On\u201d and \u201cDog and Butterfly,\u201d they were destined for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! In 2013, that\u2019s exactly what happened. Yet on this night, Ann decided, for reasons unknown to me, to perform only one of their hits.<\/p>\n Never met Jeff Beck, but he seems like a really cool dude. He still has that trademark rock look he\u2019s always displayed; still viewing life through those classic mirrored sunglasses. Jeff was born before World War II had ended. At 74 years of age and after 53 years in the business, Beck still delivers exactly what his fans came to hear. I went to my first rock concert, if memory serves me, in 1970. This rock concert is the only one to date I\u2019m aware of that brought a guitar, bass, drums and\u2014 wait for it\u2014 a cello! What works for Jeff Beck works for me! And, it seemed to work for the rest of the rock fans in attendance. You may think you have never heard of Geoffrey Arnold Beck, but you have heard him. Aside from his own commercial success, Jeff has recorded on other artist albums such as Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi, ZZ Top, Mick Jagger and on and on and on.<\/p>\n![\"Kevin](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Kevin-Black-Photography-9470-300x240.jpg\")
<\/a>Not sure why I didn\u2019t see Deborah Bonham on the bill. Opening this concert was the rock chick from next door. From across the pond that is. Born in Worcestershire, England, and the sister to the late AND great John Bonham, original drummer for Led Zeppelin, Deb opened the show alone, accompanied only by a guitarist. Her voice and song selection made me wish she had a stage full of musicians. She had a great laid-back attitude and seemed genuinely humbled by the audience. I liked her voice and am looking forward to hearing some of her studio work.<\/p>\n![\"Kevin](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Kevin-Black-Photography-9646-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a>Opening with a Who song we\/the audience had no reason to believe her second song, \u201cBarracuda,\u201d would be her first and last song from the Heart repertoire. She did explain that she wanted to perform music from several artists that had a huge impact on her. So for the remainder of her time on stage, she played songs from The Who, Eagles, Black Crows, Yes and Audioslave. Her tribute to the Eagles was a rendition of \u201cLife in the Fast Lane.\u201d She reduced the tempo to a more bluesy feel, which I personally enjoyed. Though Ann Wilson can still tip the scale in her favor when it comes to female rock singers, my preference is to hear her belt out her own hits. You go girl. You still got the pipes!<\/p>\n
![\"Kevin](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Kevin-Black-Photography-9736-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>JB is mostly known for his innovated instrumental guitar sounds. On this night, he added a vocalist who took this night\u2019s set list to the next level. Jimmy Hall\u2014 the lead singer for a great group, Wet Willie\u2014 has a unique and powerful voice. Great add, Jeff. Beck doesn\u2019t say much in his live performance. He simply lets his Fender Stratocaster do all the talking. And it had a lot to say. Jeff is definitely one of the pioneers of using the volume knob on the guitar to create a unique sound effect; one that most guitarists need a pedal to achieve the same effect. The sound was awesome, the lights were exciting and the musicians he shared the stage with collectively made for an excellent 75-minute set. With six Grammys, it\u2019s no surprise that Jeff Beck has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame\u2014 get this\u2014TWICE!<\/p>\n![\"Kevin](\"http:\/\/houstonmusicreview.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Kevin-Black-Photography-9912-200x300.jpg\")
<\/a>How many of you attend a concert wondering whether or not the singer will still be able to hit the notes that you remember so well? I know I went into the evening wondering, but hoping, Paul could. It\u2019s amazing how an artist can sing for 50 years and still have the raw vocal power and the accuracy to deliver what you were hoping to hear.<\/p>\n