Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks State Fair grandstand like it’s 1977

A few thoughts about Lynyrd Skynyrd’s concert Thursday at the Minnesota State Fair:

1. The set list was classic 1970s Skynyrd, even though the band has made eight studio albums (not counting the Christmas disc) since reuniting in 1987.
2. Even though they are the steadfast kings of Southern rock, Skynyrd did not display the confederate flag at the fair but they certainly waved the red, white and blue in many ways, including wrapping Johnny Van Zant’s microphone stand with an American flag during “Free Bird.”

Read More: Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks State Fair grandstand like it’s 1977 – StarTribune.com

Excluding broken-down vocals, Van Halen rides again

Roth returned to Indiana to sing with Van Halen on Sept. 2, a date on the other end of summer, and he’s not nearly fresh or strong enough to still give voice to the mighty rock band.

David Lee Roth once claimed to be “as Indiana as the first day of summer,” which is a great line for someone who was born in Bloomington and says he learned to tie his shoes in New Castle

Excluding broken-down vocals, Van Halen rides again David Lee Roth brings down an otherwise spectacular showing in Indianapolis…

Read More: Excluding broken-down vocals, Van Halen rides again

Four More Absurd Rock Myths That Were Almost True

It’s that time again, time to roll out another edition of Rock Myths and Urban Legends! Rock and pop music is full of strange people and even stranger stories, many of which have been circulating for years. Let’s take a look at four more, and get to the truth behind them.

Read More: Four More Absurd Rock Myths | Houston Press

Meat Loaf Explains His ‘Completely Different’ New Record, Trump’s Trolling, ‘Rocky Horror’ Reunion and a Tour

With millions of albums sold and roles in over 60 films, Grammy-winning artist Meat Loaf has enjoyed one of the most enduring and multifaceted careers in entertainment. Loaf’s seminal 1977 album Bat Out of Hell, featuring songs by collaborator Jim Steinman, is one of the most successful albums of all time. Currently Meat Loaf is in Nashville, finishing production on his latest album Braver Than We Are, which not only re-unites him with Steinman for the first time in over 20 years, but also with previous partners Karla DeVito and Ellen Foley (the latter memorably dueting on Bat’s teen lust anthem “Paradise by the Dashboard Light”).

Read More: Meat Loaf Explains His ‘Completely Different’ New Record, Trump’s Trolling, ‘Rocky Horror’ Reunion and a Tour | Billboard

Review: AC/DC christens TD Place with a whole lotta rock

There was neither rain nor lightning in Ottawa Thursday night, but the city was thunderstruck by the force of nature that is AC/DC. Not to belabour the metaphor, but the first outdoor concert at the new TD Place was like a storm front seen from afar — electrifying and awesomely powerful.

It began precisely on time, at 8:45, with video, fireworks, explosions and smoke — the latter element unnecessary, as Ottawa, city of potheads, had helpfully built up a pungent cloud.

Through the haze appeared Angus Young, the demigod of rock guitar, all five-foot-two of him, enlarged to a hundred times normal size on vast video screens astride the stage. He wore a red, velour school boy outfit — Angus Young is the Dorian Gray of school boys — and had his signature Gibson SG attached like a vestigial twin to his 60-year-old frame.

Read More: Review: AC/DC christens TD Place with a whole lotta rock | Ottawa Citizen

Alice Cooper talks Hollywood Vampires, his new album which pays tribute to drinking buddies Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon and John Lennon

Read More: Alice Cooper talks Hollywood Vampires, his new album which pays tribute to drinking buddies Jimi Hendrix, Keith Moon and John Lennon – Features – Music – The Independent