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Welcome to HOLLYWEIRD

By Ed McArdle

Heard while walking through the capacity crowd gathered at DTE Energy Music

Theatre in Clarkston June 21 were the most telling words of the evening

when one fan said to another, "I needed this."

And every once in a while don't we all require a heavy dose of rock and

roll?  On the first day of summer sun, fun and "nothin' but a good time"

where the order of the day providing the promise of an unmatched party

atmosphere.

For the past four years Poison has annually delivered on this promise by

putting together a package bill of like-minded bands to give the people

what they needed.  No wonder everyone was so excited.

This year the frivolity was provided by Poison, Cinderella, Winger and

Faster Pussycat as only these funlovers know how.  Though all proud "hair

bands" exemplifying that era's overindulgence, it would be a mistake to

judge music by fashion.  Too many seem to gauge talent by their eyes when

revisiting the 1980's heavy metal scene.  There is much more to it than

that.  All one has to do is open your ears and listen.  Or simply take it

all in.

Welcome to "Hollyweird."  No nostalgia trip was necessary with a new Poison

album fresh on the shelves.  This was the reunited quartet that attained

sales upwards of 20 million albums during their 17-year career.

Bret Michaels, C.C. DeVille, Rikki Rockett and Bobby Dall were their lively

selves, wisely utilizing every inch of the multi-tiered stage running

across the ramps and simply enjoying life in what has always been the

Poison trademark.  To add fuel to the combustible equation, the beer was

flowing in abundance through the crowd.  It didn't hurt matters that, as

always on a hot summer night, the girls were dressed to kill.

Poison possessed all the elements necessary to lift the spirits of

everyone- namely passion, heart and soul.  Nothing fake here.  Their music

is a soundtrack to life, as we know it.  Within the songs there is

something for everyone.  The good time anthems provided sing-a-longs, the

ballads kept the girls happy, and the rock.  Oh yeah, the rock.  No need to

question the power evident there.

Poison puts 200% into every performance and that is what keeps the people

coming back for more time after time.  Another sold out show in a hotbed

Michaels (wearing a champion Red Wings hat as tribute to the "ultimate

fans") proudly praised as his favorite tour stop.  He could not say enough

complimentary things about "Detroit Rock City" and put his money where his

mouth was by promising free admission to anyone holding a DTE ticket stub

for the Toledo show July 16.  That certainly says something about

appreciating support.

Michaels went above and beyond to prove himself the consummate frontman.

Knowing exactly what to do or say in order to elicit the best crowd

response.  He never said anything wrong the entire night pumping up the

volume continuously.  The resulting fever pitch was accentuated by the

enthusiastic crowd reaction.  Everyone was into the festivities and it was

contagious.  Michaels moved about stage like he was shot out of a canon,

keeping the crowd involvement high by slapping hands along the front row on

numerous occasions.  He strutted his stuff at every opportunity putting on

quite the show.

Traditional opener "Look What The Cat Dragged In" brought the crowd to

their feet where they remained for the next 70 minutes as Poison played hit

after catchy hit. "Talk Dirty To Me" appeared early on- a change over years

past.  The set was quite similar to the ones played previously.  Though the

free spirit themed "Ride The Wind" was inserted by popular demand from an

internet fan request poll.

Favorite "Fallen Angel" raised the pavilion roof with the heavy

introductory guitar hook leading into the well-choreographed jump in unison

from the drum riser the instant the song kicks in by Michaels, DeVille and

Dall.  Just as seen in the memorable 1988 video.

When the number one ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" was aired every light

in the house was dimmed while the spotlight illuminated a spinning disco

ball overhead to create a chilling effect amid the sea of lighters held

aloft.  "Something to Believe In" also provided a poignant moment when

dedicated to our Armed Forces risking their lives to keep the United States

freedom alive overseas.

Dall appeared more than fully recovered from last year's tour-ending

accident that required emergency neck vertebrae fusion surgery.  Still full

of the energy required putting on a Poison show.  C.C. was, well C.C., and

flexed his vocal chords by singing lead on the newer "Emperor's New

Clothes."  What would a Heavy Metal show be without a drum solo?  Well, not

to be left out, Rockett gave a smashing one incorporating sound effects

into his pounding.

Just when it appeared the bash was over; the ultimate party anthem made an

appearance.  As if Poison doesn't have enough upbeat songs in their

repertoire, they encored with a cover of "Rock and Roll All Nite" complete

with the requisite closing confetti shower raining down from above.

 Plenty of rock took place prior to the headliners and Cinderella did their

part.  Opening with "Somebody Save Me" and closing with a rousing "Shake

Me" they provided a non-stop infectious groove.  Of course, a few hit power

ballads were also thrown in for good measure.  These veterans also knew how

to do it right.

Cinderella used pyro in abundance to full effect but the key component to

their mastery was frontman Tom Keifer's unique voice.  His surgically

repaired vocal chords appeared no worse for wear and held up quite well.

With no new album to push five of the 12 songs aired were taken from 1986's

multi-platinum debut "Night Songs."  But the highlight was "Gypsy Road,"

which had the whole house rocking all the way back to the lawn.

Over time "Don't Know What You've Got (Till it's gone) has proven to be one

of the era-defining power ballads.  So when Keifer sat at a piano bathed in

purple light playing the familiar keys for the encore it was a powerful

sight to behold.  Another memory to savor this night by.  Too bad it had to

end.

A weird looking Faster Pussycat opened the event taking the stage dressed

identically in black leather Nazi attire.  Frontman Tamie Downe even

mimicked Marilyn Manson. The ballad "House of Pain" provided the highlight

of a slow eight-song set almost devoid of their most well known songs.  But

soon the sun began to set and Winger upped the pace a drastic notch.  Yes,

you read that right.

Impressive isn't the word to describe Winger's performance.  Absent from

the performing stage for nine years the original trio (plus two touring

members) pulled out all the stops to prove they are a quality rock band.

Often mistakenly ridiculed and unjustifiably maligned as poster boys for

all that is bad about "Hair Metal" they set out to convince the naysayers

wrong about this genre.  Their music did the talking and with it set the

record straight.

Kip Winger was celebrating his 41st birthday and he strode about sporting

the familiar headpiece microphone he made famous when Britney was but a

Mousekateer.  The crowd heated up as the reunited band played almost their

entire greatest hits album released last year.  Soon Winger would "Tell ya;

about this lady" who, of course, could only be "Madelaine."  It was MTV

heaven.  Guitarist Reb Beach (back after his stint rockin' with Dokken)

played the melodic brand of metal that made the female hearts swoon.

"Headed For A Heartbreak" made an appearance and then "Seventeen" blared

out of the speakers at top volume.  Winger came to rock and rock they most

certainly did.

They were not alone with Cinderella and Poison soon following suit not

wanting to disappoint.

At the conclusion of the evening Poison promised a return in 2003.  It

would be wise to start planning your future summer fun now as these guys

have proven time and time again they don't make promises they can't keep.

There are few guarantees in life.  But if looking for a good time, Poison

is the perfect hosts.

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